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Generational FOCUS by Augustinus

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“We are overcoming the challenges as we learn by day.”

Augustinus Ngombe is an entrepreneur, and the founder & managing director of Generational FOCUS Consultancy. He was born in a village called Gcamade, West of Rundu, in the now Kavango West. He attended primary school at Gcamade JP, before later moving to Siya S.P and Sinzogoro S.P respectively. He completed his high school at Leevi Hakusembe Senior Secondary School.

Augustinus served as an LRC for Academic Affairs at the age of 15 and later quit, but his teachers and learners still qualified him as a leader without any title. This would later translate in his unquenched thirst to understand the subject of leadership. His junior achievements include participating in the UNESCO Science Fair as a regional representative and leading his school choir & the debate club, which served as platforms to practice thought-leadership and orator of the time in school.

Augustinus describes himself as “an agile leader, teacher and administrator by profession who has made many to experience the greatest feeling of self-discovery, empowered, informed, inspired and equipped to deliver to the best of their abilities in various areas.” He encourages thought-provoking to imagine beyond their limits in the areas of leadership and entrepreneurship to develop a deeper understanding of self. He is the author of Leadership & Knowledge, an eloquent orator, gospel singer, educator with dynamic skills and knowledge inspired by biblical wisdom.

He is passionate about empowerment and bridging gaps through motivation, training and capacity building. He has shared stages and worked with influential scholars and leaders such as Prof. PLO Lumumba who reviewed and spoke at the launch of his book & wrote its foreword.

Tell us more about Generational FOCUS Consultancy, what inspired you to start this business, the services you offer as well as the team behind your startup (if any).

“Generational FOCUS Consultancy was founded in 2017 as a platform that brings experts that discuss leadership and entrepreneurial matters to bridge the gaps of the knowledgeable and less knowledgeable, resourceful and less resourceful, as a form of empowerment. The summarized activities or services offered by the consultancy are:

  • Knowledge importation & empowerment of leaders and entrepreneurs in the areas of: purpose identification, change management, emotional intelligence, innovative thinking;
  • Business and entrepreneurial advising and training;
  • Financial and business management services;
  • Sale of books on the topics of leadership and knowledge;
  • Publishing of leadership and entrepreneurial study materials and books.

Thus far GFC has managed to host influential leaders on our online platform, the likes of Hon. Tom Alweendo, Rt. Gen. Ndaitwah, Mrs. Sanet Steenkamp, Otto Kapuka, Prof. Tshilidzhi and more. Their founder, Augustinus, has also trained MANWU far North Shop Stewards in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and moderated a social dialogue of trade Unions (NUNW, NEF, Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation and Ministry of Finance) about the future of work in Namibia. He has been hosted on TV and radio episodes on various leadership subjects and he is a columnist.

GFC has a team made up of:

  • Augustinus M Ngombe, Founder and Managing Director;
  • Sivambo K Peter, Project Manager;
  • Guerschom Ndianga, Stakeholder Engagement Partner;
  • Christine-Ritah Namusobya Abankwah, Coach, Advisor and Partner.”

What challenges have you encountered on your entrepreneurial journey and how did you overcome some of them?

“Challenges we have faced:

  • Financial backlog, to layout great platform that can reach more people, payment of the services used;
  • Trust of the corporate world to allow us to offer our services like training of their employees;
  • Exposure and marketing platforms are limited when you are new in the business;
  • Rarity of the experts to partner with on our projects.

Mechanisms to overcome them:

  • We rely on our network to get referrals and assistance where possible;
  • We fundamentally rely on giving excellent services to our clients to create a strong customer relation;
  • We are living in our means to avoid over expenditures;
  • Having a strong value system that fosters trust amongst our customers and partners.

We are overcoming the challenges as we learn by day.”

What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this industry?

“This industry requires no chance-takers but people who are vested in the services offered. There is no short way to its success except investing in yourself to be well-equipped. One needs resilience and self-efficacy to earn the trust and credentials to work with others, whether individuals or corporates. Those who are principled make it greater in this area even though it takes time. This journey will require you to be patient and accountable as virtues.”

Do you have a business philosophy? If so, what is it?

“Bridging generational leadership gaps is cornerstone of sustainable and transformational leadership.”

What are the company values that have been integral in getting you this far?

“Our core values are:

  • Leadership
  • Excellence
  • Teamwork
  • Resilience
  • Accountability.”

One often hears of poor customer service & experiences in startups; what measures do you have in place to ensure the best experience for your customers?

“We have established a customer review system through which we seek honest feedback from our clients: what we have done well and where we haven’t delivered satisfactorily. Further measures include:

  • Lifelong learning of team members to ensure the efficiency of service delivery;
  • Scrutiny of the content to be released to the clients to ensure that services are offered with excellence;
  • Tailor-made content to our clients;
  • Exercising partnership-leadership instead of title-based leadership.”

How do you see charity and nonprofit work overlapping with your business?

“We are driven by empowering and bridging gaps; hence we indirectly offer our services for free as a way to teach people how to fish and not to always be given fish. Generational FOCUS cc is accessed freely by the participants thus it is charitable to the society.”

What role does your startup play in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Namibia?

“Empowerment through our free discussions led by the experts in various industries which make information available. Those who follow Generational FOCUS cc have experienced free information sharing. Not only that, but our articles in the newspaper tackle some of the entrepreneurial challenges. We offer training where materials can be accessed at an affordable rate. Having partnered with coaches, we do referrals to the experts in finance, branding and other crucial areas in entrepreneurship.”

How significant is collaboration in the growth & scaling of a start-up?

“It is crucial to collaborate or partner with others as it allows both participants to use each other’s strengths to pull each other. It allows both businesses to tap into the other’s network, whether it is customers, investors or suppliers. It is a skill recommended to every entrepreneur.”

What recommendations would you make towards the advancement of startups, and/or the improvement of their operating conditions? * i.e. support of startups, funding schemes, workshops, policy changes etc.

“Knowledge is power thus start-ups must be well informed and equipped through workshops and entrepreneurial seminars before they step into getting financial facilities. This will prepare for the cause and learn from experts and other entrepreneurs who may be in their service or product provision and learn from their mistakes. This cuts off time wastage and trims the business to what may be suitable for that moment. Secondly, they should learn risk management and record keeping to allow them opportunities into acquiring funding.”

In 2020, entrepreneurs lived through a tumultuous period with the arrival of the COVID- 19 pandemic; what was your biggest business lesson that you can share?

“The main lesson was to be flexible in our strategies as change is always inevitable; that businesses should embrace saving for unprecedented times such as the pandemic. It was an eye-opener for the government to see the relevance of the SMEs and the urgency of making policies favorable for such entities.”

Email: generationalfocus@gmail.com

Cell: +26481 615 2861

Facebook: Generational Focus

Instagram: @GenerationalFocus

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Business Services

Orange Peel Interior Designs by Zita Jesus

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“The biggest lesson is to adapt, and to adapt fast.”

Zita Jesus is an entrepreneur, and the co-founder & creative director of Orange Peel Interior Designs. The young businesswoman grew up in Oshivelo, in the northern part of Namibia. She then moved from Oshivelo to Windhoek in 2013, to pursue her tertiary education.

Zita studied Communications & Marketing at the then Polytechnic of Namibia, now known as the Namibia University of Science Technology (NUST). Her first job was as a teacher at Uukumwe Combined School. She then went on to work in the Commercial Property Management industry for roughly four (4) years before she moved to Ohlthaver & List Group. There, Zita worked in Leisure as a Marketing Executive. She couldn’t stay there forever knowing her passion was calling and she now works as a full-time interior designer.”

Tell us more about Orange Peel Interior Designs, what inspired you to start this business, the services you offer as well as the team behind your startup (if any).

“I founded Orange Peel Interior Designs in 2016. I have always been one to make my place beautiful; I always shopped according to themes but I didn’t know that what I was doing was actually interior design then, even less that I could make a living out of it.

I initially began working on the spaces of my friends and family. It took a lot of trial and error to find our niche, value proposition and our core services.

Doing this work from a place of passion, just for the love of it, allowed me to see a gap in the market and this has become a big part of why we do what we do. Making interior design accessible to the average Namibian. Hence our tagline – “Interior Design, Redefined.”

What challenges have you encountered on your entrepreneurial journey and how did you overcome some of them?

“Finding a local mentor in the Namibian interior design space, that I could relate to, has been and still is a challenge. That’s definitely been a challenge entering a niche industry.

Right now, my mentors are all online: mainly Claire Jefford and Darren Palmer. My personal and business growth mentors are Joe Dispenza and Bob Proctor.”

What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this industry?

“Start with your own space and google the rest.”

Do you have a business philosophy? If so, what is it?

“I serve the average Namibian; they are my target market. With the average Namibian being my target market, I adopted the Chinese Pricing model. I just love the flexibility that it gives both me and my clients. The social, authentic business model is the heartbeat of Orange Peel and this has allowed me to share my world as is unfiltered and somehow doing just that didn’t require a well-defined marketing strategy. This has made us relatable and brought us a lot of business.”

What are the company values that have been integral in getting you this far?

“Authenticity;

Daring to be different;

Transparency.”

One often hears of poor customer service & experiences in startups; what measures do you have in place to ensure the best experience for your customers?

“Any project we take on is personal, never transactional. This really drives our attitude towards the work and our clients. I’d say we get better with every project as we learn, fix and continue pushing.”

How do you see charity and nonprofit work overlapping with your business?

“We have already launched our signature community project, ‘Pimp My Shack’ last year in partnership with Pupkewitz Megabuild. This initiative is very close to my heart because it pays homage to my childhood and where I am from.”

What role does your startup play in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Namibia?

“Inspiration. We really hope to motivate and mentor others to take the first step, just as we did.”

How significant is collaboration in the growth & scaling of a start-up?

“Collaboration is key to growing; we have had numerous partnerships with fellow start-ups like Greyco Architects, Newgen Media, Netreg Electical and many local craftsmen and women. They have all helped grow our business. My biggest collaboration to date has been the one with Pupkewitz Megabuild.”

In 2020, entrepreneurs lived through a tumultuous period with the arrival of the COVID- 19 pandemic; what was your biggest business lesson that you can share?

“For OPID, 2020 was the best year of growth. In fact, COVID-19 and its effects helped us birth new realities that we wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. However, the biggest lesson we learnt was to adapt, and to adapt fast.”

Email: info@opinteriors.co

Website: www.opinteriors.co

Cell: 081 429 7750

Facebook: Orange Peel Interior Designs

Instagram: @orangepeel_interior_designs

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Business Services

E-Sell Namibia by Flaviano & Masutu.

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“Enter when ready to serve, not when ready to sell.”

Flaviano Quicandi Quisseque and Masutu Vihanga are entrepreneurs, and the co-founders of E-Sell Namibia. Flaviano, who originates from Angola, considers himself to be a calm but determined individual with a natural sense of humor. He moved to Namibia when he was 9 years old and lived apart from his parents ever since, with only holidays and occasional visits allowing him time with his family. He is a devout Christian who believes in living a life free of excuses, and further that ‘failure is one’s best teacher’.

Flaviano always had a passion for not only business but for serving people as well. He proceeded to pursue & acquire a qualification in Business Administration at the Institution of International Training College Lingua. In 2018, after he had left his job working as a coach at DTS, he conceptualised the idea of a platform that would facilitate the buying & selling of pre-owned goods. This platform would aim to help people sell items they no longer needed while making an extra income. It would further ensure safety from scams or theft as well as preventing the high circulation of stolen items currently being sold.

In 2019, he teamed up with his good friend & business partner, Masutu Vihanga, who was running a delivery business of his own at the time. They then teamed up and officially launched E-Sell Namibia in September 2019 along with help from two other individuals: Diana Davids and Johannes Kapolo. Flaviano and Masutu have since been solely focused on expanding the brand.

Tell us about E-Sell Namibia, the products & services you offer and the team behind your startup.

“We facilitate the buying and selling of mainly second-hand goods for individuals or organisations. We also market local businesses using our online platforms that have a wide reach in business and private platforms. We offer these services through our website as well as on WhatsApp and our Facebook & Instagram pages.”

What inspired you to start this business?

“We wanted to make the sale process of second-hand goods safe & efficient, by allowing people easy access to goods & services at an affordable price. We realized that many people struggled with getting rid of items they no longer had use for, and most of these were in a good condition. This opened up a gap for us to capitalize on.”

What do you enjoy most about being your own boss, and did you always know you wanted to delve into entrepreneurship?

“Being your own boss requires a certain level of discipline, which is a challenge I love waking up to everyday. Yes, I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur because of my desire to serve people.”

What sets your products/services apart from those in the same industry?

“First and foremost, you’ll get your money’s worth and we are time efficient. One of the benefits of buying products through us is that we provide warranty and proof of ownership on every item our clients buy or sell using our platform.”

What challenges have you encountered on your entrepreneurial journey and how did you overcome some of them?

“Probably trying to juggle our ambitions along with family responsibilities and our religious commitments. We are still overcoming this everyday by aligning our priorities and devoting the most time to what matters most.”

What is your business philosophy?

“We do not engage in any transactions that does not benefit all parties involved.

 ‘Expectations lead to disappointments.’.”

What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this industry?

“Enter when ready to serve, not when ready to sell. The industry needs passion for the work as well as a serving mentality. Our services connect people and working with people requires one to have a growth mindset.”

How important is networking as a growth component of any startup?

“As a start-up, it is almost impossible to operate in an isolated sphere. We all want to achieve great things and we have all these great ideas, however, in this growing Namibian economy we need, now more than ever, to work together. Networking creates opportunities for growth. It may be in gaining new clients or perhaps in building stronger relationships with suppliers to ensure a lasting and healthy relationship. Trust, inspiration, exposures, interactions, and pre-qualified referrals that you get through networking are special resources that can’t be found anywhere else.”

What role does your startup play in 1) contributing to society and 2) in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Namibia?

“a) We contribute by bringing people together through the buying & selling and minimizing major issues in society of theft, scams among others.

b) We have in many cases partnered with other start-ups as a sign that we welcome innovative ideas and we use our platforms to promote local products and businesses.”

Startups in Namibia, and all over the world, faced an unprecedented crisis in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic; how has your startup adjusted to the situation?

“Day to day operations have been adjusted so as to curb the further spread of the virus. Because of the nature of our business, it has been an easy transition into this “new normal”; we put ourselves at the forefront of any transactions by ensuring that both the seller and buyer do not have to have any form of physical interaction unless deemed fit and really necessary.”

Email: admin@esellnamibia.com

Website: e-sellnamibia.com

Cell: 081 223 9459 ; 081 422 4207

Facebook: E-Sell Namibia

Instagram: @esellnamibia

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Creative

Edéco by Ellen Emvula

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“If you have the passion, the better days will always trump the challenges.”

Ellen Ngondjodhi Emvula is an entrepreneur and the owner of Ellen’s Deco Trading cc, otherwise known as Edéco. Ellen was born and raised in a village near Okahao called Onandjila, in the Omusati Region. She completed her primary and secondary education at Oshuulagulwa Combined School and Ongandjera Senior Secondary School, respectively.is a Creative Artist, Entrepreneur and a Diagnostic Radiography Technician by profession. After graduating, Ellen worked at Onandjokwe Lutheran Medical Service X-ray department for 4 years before eventually moving on to work at Grootfontein Private Hospital X-ray department for another 4 years. She is currently working at Medirad Medical Radiology in Grootfontein.

“While working at Medirad, when I don’t have patients, I started working on my home craft in my office, during lunch hour and also after hours, because of the love I have for unique home products – that is when  Edéco Home Luxury was established in 2013.”

Tell us about Edéco, the products & services you offer and the team behind your start-up, if any.

“Ellen’s Deco Trading cc (Edéco) was established in 2013 but I only started to operate officially in 2018. Edéco Home produces various home products, ranging from:

  • bespoke wood furniture,
  • kitchenware,
  • wall décor art, as well as
  • memorabilia.

I produce woodwork craft by order. Customers generally order specialized and stylized woodwork craft, which I produce according to their specifications.”

What inspired you to start this business?

“It started off as a hobby that I did not realize I was in dire need of. I have always been quite creative; I always sought to improve my skillset with every opportunity that I got. The inspiration for starting up my own business came as a result of one such opportunity. I started making my own furniture at an experienced friend’s workshop. At first, it was simply a therapeutic weekend hobby, and my craft was only for my home.

In the days that followed, family and friends would always compliment me on my work, noting that my craft made my house beautiful. Many began asking me to help with their own homes and wanted to get their hands on my craft. Initially, I did it for free for some close friends. When the interest and demand expanded beyond my circle (family and friends), I started seeing the lucrative potential and realized that I had to start up the business.”

What do you enjoy most about being your own boss, and did you always know you wanted to delve into entrepreneurship?

“Entrepreneurship was never the primary objective; it really was just another weekend hobby. I have been faced with multiple entrepreneurial opportunities before, but I never took an interest because they were never about something that I was passionate about. Committing to an entrepreneurial endeavor that I’m not passionate about would have been taxing.

That said, I truly love and enjoy the work that I do now, and I am glad that I have delved into entrepreneurship. Being my own boss is really the icing on the cake – I cannot imagine someone else calling the shots on my passion.”

What sets your products/services apart from those in the same industry?

“I do not only produce generic woodwork craft – I create the products according to the customer’s specification. It is not just about the art, but about the customers’ desires and preferences. Edéco Home Products are modern, fashionable and are uniquely identifiable by the signature rustic edge and celebration of the African culture and heritage.  Because all of our products are handmade, no one’s product is the same, giving each piece a unique touch. They are products that cannot be found anywhere else, they are completely custom-made.”

What challenges have you encountered on your entrepreneurial journey and how did you overcome some of them?

“As expected, there have been many challenges throughout my entrepreneurial journey. The main challenge is not always having the required machinery and materials, and not having my own workshop. It is especially true because I stay in a small town, I have to travel to the city a lot for some necessary equipment (some of which are almost impossible to find).

I overcame that challenge by producing my craft through an already established workshop that has most of the machinery I’d need. However, this is a temporary solution because I am aiming to eventually have my own workshop in future. For the stock that is difficult to find, I have resorted to online shopping. Then there was the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns that impacted import. There are of course the more personal challenges such as discouragement too, but I always remind myself of the love that I have for my work.”

What is your business philosophy?

“My business’s vision and mission are my business philosophy. The mission is to produce and provide local craft that livens up your home, and the vision is to become an efficient, recognized and profitable home products business that inspires creativity and ingenuity. These are not just some purposeless business jargon used to fill the pages of a brochure; these are principles that I have applied and upheld on every step of my journey.”

What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this industry?

“Have the passion. Of course, pursuing any entrepreneurial endeavor is far more complex than that, there are multiple factors that one would need to be acquainted with. Capital, market research, writing business plans, marketing, choosing a business structure, business registration, business accounts etc.

However, if you have the passion, everything else will be smooth; smooth enough to keep going, at least. If you have the passion, the better days will always trump the challenges.”

How important is networking as a growth component of any startup?

“It is of utmost importance. It is an insightful experience for any business that allows for personal and business growth. I believe businesses form part of a community with members that constantly learn from each other; it is not just about the competition (which is mostly necessary).

Networking allows businesses to learn from each other, which allows them to improve their services and get new clients. Sometimes it leads to mutually satisfying collaborations, sometimes it provides new opportunities. The importance of networking cannot be understated.”

What role does your startup play in 1) contributing to society and 2) in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Namibia?

“I believe that I inspire creativity and ingenuity. In Namibia, the field of art is grossly underrated, which discourages many talented Namibian from pursuing careers in the field. Those that do monetize their craft are easily exploited and have their craft’s value undermined. Achieving my own goals is not only a personal accomplishment, but one that can inspire other talented individuals to tap into the lucrative potential of their creativity.

Edéco aims to positively impact Namibians, through one of our long-term goals: as the business grows, we would like to train individuals in handcrafting as well as open a store (Edéco Home Luxury) that would sell Edéco products, while also creating employment opportunities. At present, Edéco products are available at Nictus Giga, Windhoek. In addition, as our products are made using recycled materials, our items ensure that we preserve the Namibian environment.”

What recommendations would you make towards the improvement of the operations of startups?

“Exposure is one of the biggest challenges that the community of start-ups faces, which has an overall effect on their performance. Many fail because of the lack of exposure; therefore, I would recommend that the community takes a more collaborative approach for collective exposure, investing in initiatives such as an online shopping platforms and marketing databases.”

Startups in Namibia, and all over the world, are facing an unprecedented crisis in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic; how has your startup adjusted to the situation and/or assisted in disseminating information, combatting the spread of the virus, etc.?

“These unprecedented times have truly had a negative financial and operational impact on the business. As a result of the restrictions imposed on various non-essential businesses, procuring supplies was the main challenge I experienced but things are gradually returning to normal.”


Email: ejonecky@gmail.com

Cell: +26481 286 0203

Facebook: Edéco | Ellen Emvula

Instagram: @athomewithedeco

Twitter: @ellenigor

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Agribusiness

VNA Native Foods by Valde Leonard

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“Never give up on yourself or your dreams because only you can make them a reality.”

Valde Ndapwilwa Akumanga Leonard is a startup entrepreneur and the founder of VNA Native Foods. He was born in Outapi and grew up in Aus, a small rural community in southern Namibia, where his family is also from & currently lives. Valde attended all his junior grades in Aus, then completed his secondary grades in Keetmanshoop at P.K De Villiers Secondary School. He then went on to graduate as a Para Veterinarian / Vet Nurse through the University of Namibia, after obtaining his qualification in 2016.

“After finishing university, I worked as a Vet Nurse for 1 year and 8 months at the Windhoek Animal Hospital as well as at a charity organization. At the end of my tertiary career going into my work as a vet nurse, I started to develop a business concept based on the idea of adding value to indigenous Namibian and African food such as spinach, mopani worms and wild fruits.”

It was around this time that the young Valde put his best foot forward for the Development Bank of Namibia’s Innovation Award – aimed at rewarding personalities with funding for their creative & innovative ideas that have personal & national developmental impact. Winning the 2018 DBN Innovation Award, as well as the N$1 Million prize, was the necessary push that Valde needed to start with VNA Native Foods.

Tell us about VNA Native Foods, the products & services you offer and the team behind the startup, if any.

“VNA Native Foods is a Namibian company which I founded with the sole purpose of adding value to indigenous Namibian and African food, thereby commercializing this food. It is named after my three names:

“V” for Valde, “n” for Ndapwilwa and “a” for Akumanga.

“Our company’s current products are powdered soups made from traditional African spinach well known in Oshiwambo as Omboga. The company has thus recently launched an Omboga vegetable soup that is available in 50g and 200g packets. These packets are available for sale in supermarkets around Windhoek.”

Valde Leonard is the main person behind the company, with a small team of about 4 team members.

What inspired you to start this business?

“My main inspiration for starting this company was my social & economic background. My mother sells traditional brews in Aus and my father has worked as a general worker at TransNamib his whole life. I thus came from a poor background but my parents made sure to raise me and my siblings with discipline in order to achieve greatness. Despite my situation, I was determined to make a plan to get out of it. I came to despise poverty and that became my key driver amongst many other things.”

What do you enjoy most about being your own boss, and did you always know you wanted to delve into entrepreneurship?

“The flexibility that comes with being your own boss as well as being able to make my own decisions is what I enjoy the most.

The fact that my siblings and I were raised in a house where our parents are engaged in small-scale business activities, that includes the sale of traditional brews, exposed me to business at a young age. I thus had the idea in me, since the end of my high school career, that somewhere along the line I would become an entrepreneur.

What sets your products/services apart from those in the same industry?

“Our company’s products are unique in comparison to competing products because our product is made from local ingredients and is based on local flavors. The products are also very nutritious because of the Omboga/traditional spinach content.”

What challenges have you encountered on your entrepreneurial journey and how did you overcome some of them?

“I have faced many challenges along the way, and these include fund-raising, raw material acquisition as well as marketing and distribution. What was key in overcoming those challenges for me was prayer and faith in Jesus Christ. This will always remain a stronghold.”

What is your business philosophy?

“None, I was raised by parents who had a simple business principle – make a profit on everything you sell.”

What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this industry?

“My advice to other dreamers is to never give up on yourself or your dreams because only you can make them a reality; further, have faith in Jesus Christ.”

How important is networking as a growth component of any startup?

“Networking is very important because your startup can only stand to grow when you meet new people who can introduce you to other opportunities. Networking is also a good way of marketing one’s product and service.”

What role does your startup play in 1) contributing to society and 2) in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Namibia?

“VNA Native Foods contributes to society by providing employment directly and indirectly, and by providing our society with nutritious food.

The fact that the company fully took off during the COVID-19 period stands to inspire other entrepreneurs and to show that there is space for entrepreneurship in Namibia amidst all challenges.”

What recommendations would you make towards the improvement of the operations of startups?

“Namibia needs to introduce a one-stop facility that caters for the problems of startups; be it financial, marketing, operational or any other constraints. The startup community is lacking that support that would allow for its growth.”

Email: valdeleonard@yahoo.com

Cell: 081 400 1834

Facebook: Valde Ndapwilwa Akumanga Leonard

Official VNA Native Foods pages coming soon.

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Entrepreneur of the week

Kapana in Town by Efraim Shivute

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“Whatever you do, whether failing or succeeding, as long as you are moving forward and learning in the process you are good.”

Efraim Shivute is a 26-year-old Namibian entrepreneur and the founder of Kapana In Town. He was born in Otjiwarongo. He grew up in Oshakati with his father, who was a businessman based in the northern parts of Namibia. Efraim attended his primary school at Erundu S.S and secondary school at Otjiko Secondary School. After high school, he went to study Diesel Mechanics at NIMT, and later Information Science at the University of Namibia. Efraim worked at Advanced 4×4 car hire for 3 years as a mechanic and Pupkewitz Honda for 6 months before he decided to drop the career as a whole in February 2016 and pursue entrepreneurship.

Efraim believes that is how he came to fall in love with entrepreneurship because he was already exposed to it at an early age, from his father. Even when he was away from his father who would constantly spoil him, with his mother he learned to work for everything that he wanted by selling anything and everything, such as fish, spice, fat cakes, matangara and more. In this way, his entrepreneurial spirit was nurtured from a young age, leading to him finally starting his own business.

Tell us about Kapana In Town, the products & services you offer and your team.

“Kapana In Town was founded on the 1st of February 2019. Our main purpose was to bring kapana closer to the consumers in town seeing that the main Kapana spot in the city was a bit far. We serve kapana, free salsa, fat cakes, kapana burgers and soft drinks, which we deliver all over Windhoek. Deliveries start from N$40 as the minimum order and if you are within walking distance delivery will be free whereas if you are outside the CBD delivery is N$20 anywhere in Windhoek. The team behind the start-up are all students, namely:

Toivo Stefanus (23),

Petrus Shivute (23), and

Wilson Kavefi (25).”

What inspired you to start this business?

“I remember it vividly. On January 27th, 2020 I was taking a walk around town and like any person would I started craving kapana but having to drive to Single Quarters in Katutura was such a long process and since it was lunch time, traffic would have delayed me. At that moment I answered about ten questions based on WHY, WHO and HOW in my mind, of course putting myself in the next person’s shoes because I somehow knew I was not the only one craving kapana.”

What do you enjoy most about being your own boss, and did you always know you wanted to delve into entrepreneurship?

“To be honest, I do not see myself as a boss but rather as an employee. It is not really something one enjoys besides the fact that you have greater control and flexible working hours; it is the hardest thing I ever had to endure because you take on the bulk of the business’s struggles and get rewarded last and that is what most people do not understand or forget. I believe deep down that entrepreneurship has been in me for years — I just needed the right people around me to execute.”

What sets your products/services apart from those in the same industry?

“What makes us different is our delivery system, the free salsa we provide for every order and the specials that we are always having. Also, customer satisfaction is the key in the food industry, knowing what your customers like and dislikes, we put all these things into consideration.”

What challenges have you encountered on your entrepreneurial journey and how did you overcome some of them?

“It has been a long journey but one of the key challenges I had to face were starting off and money management. It took us 3 days to start and we all know how starting something with so little to no knowledge at all would go, but as we moved forward we made learning the ups and downs of the industry our top priority. As for money management, we did not have a system in place to deal with stock-taking but as time went by, plus the experience we came up with a perfect one.”

What is your business philosophy?

“Yes, “Forward “. Whatever you do, whether failing or succeeding, as long as you are moving forward and learning in the process, you are good. “

What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this industry?

“I would advise anyone thinking of starting a business to be prepared to fail before you start seeing returns.”

How important is networking as a growth component of any startup?

“I think networking is important for entrepreneurs and their businesses as it gets you and your business noticed by others. By establishing more connections and by regularly contributing to networks, your business will become more reputable.”

What role does your startup play in 1) contributing to society and 2) in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Namibia?

“We strongly believe in giving back to the community whether through contributions or charity events, although when it comes to such things we prefer to keep them from the public.”

Startups in Namibia, and all over the world, are facing an unprecedented crisis in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic; how has your startup adjusted to the situation and/or assisted in disseminating information, combatting the spread of the virus, etc.?

“COVID-19 has affected almost every business. The effect it had on us was one that we never thought we would recover from. We laid off employees without salaries, we went from averaging sustainable amounts to making N$50 a day. But through support from family  and friends we were able to invest back into the business as well as into other start-ups.”

Email: kapanaintown@gmail.com

Facebook: @KapanaInTown

Contact: +264 812246950 or +264814410050

Instagram: @KapanaInTown / @_Proshivute_na

Twitter: @KapanaInTown / @Proshivute

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Business Services

Creative Corner by Pomwene Hamalwa

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“Your Reputation is Your Integrity — Don’t Compromise It.”

Pomwene Hamalwa is an entrepreneur and owner of Creative Corner Events cc. She hails from the Ohangwena region, where she attended both primary & secondary school –at Etomba Combined school (Grade 1-7) and Ongha Senior Secondary School (Grade 8-12) respectively. She went on to obtain an Honors Degree in Digital Communication Technology (2016).

Since the year she graduated, she attained CompTIA certifications and worked on acquiring her driver’s license, hoping this would boost up her resume and help her secure her dream job. However, the job hunting journey continued unsuccessfully for her, as she couldn’t seem to find a job that she was satisfied with. This was when Pomwene made the decision to delve into Event Planning and with the founding of Creative Corner Events in 2018, she never looked back. She is currently working towards becoming a Master-Certified Event Planner, which would then equip her with the necessary knowledge and experience to create even more professional events.

Tell us about Creative Corner Events, the products & services you offer and your team.

“Creative Corner Events is a company, founded in 2018, that specializes in events styling and décor. CCE provides its clients a breath of fresh air in the event planning market. We work with the client’s vision & budget, and provide them with the best of our creativity, professional expertise & knowledge of sustainable practices. I am a well-rounded planner with the tools to create signature events with the goal of exceeding client expectations every time.

We offer setup & décor for:

·      Kiddies themed birthdays;

·      Christening/baptisms;

·      Bridal & baby showers;

·      Picnics;

·      Graduation parties; and

any other events & functions.”

Currently, the CCE team consists of the owner, Pomwene, and two young, passionate & highly-trained assistants. CCE’s goal is to expand the team as the business itself grows.

What inspired you to start this business?

“Since I graduated in 2016, I’ve been job searching and I couldn’t seem to find a satisfying, secure job. I took up jobs in various sectors and most of these jobs, if not all, were contractual jobs and were outside my field of study. This encouraged me to try entrepreneurship. I started this business to cultivate financial independence for myself, as well as follow my dreams and fulfill my passion for DIY and being creative with everything I do. Following one’s dreams can fulfill you in a way that working for someone else may not do.”

What do you enjoy most about being your own boss, and did you always know you wanted to delve into entrepreneurship?

“I enjoy having a schedule that’s mine alone. When you’re working for someone else, your work hours are at their discretion. When you work for yourself, you have the freedom to control your hours and schedule. I also enjoy the broad creative expression; when you’re the boss, you can express your creativity in your day to day life. You can try out new strategies and find ways to make your business better – and you’re the one that will benefit from that creative thinking.

Growing up I never dreamt of being an entrepreneur, but as I grew up and due to my life experiences, I was keen to delve into entrepreneurship.”

What sets your products/services apart from those in the same industry?

“I believe that I come up with innovative concepts for our clients’ events and that is what makes us different. Delivering details and creativity sets our work apart from our competitors.”

What challenges have you encountered on your entrepreneurial journey and how did you overcome some of them?

“The main challenge I have encountered on my journey is funding to help grow my business. There have been so many ideas I could not execute because of lack of funds. I overcame this challenge by just saving the little income I was making and I kept investing it back into my business.”

What is your business philosophy?

“Your Reputation is Your Integrity — Don’t Compromise It.“

What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this industry?

“Just start. Start where you are with what you have, don’t wait for the perfect time because it might never come. Beginnings are the hardest, but the journey will be worth it eventually, just put in the work and you will see results.”

How important is networking as a growth component of any startup?

“Networking is important for growing your business because it helps you gain connections, generation of referrals and partnership opportunities. It can also boost your communication skills and increase your access to business resources.”

What role does your startup play in 1) contributing to society and 2) in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Namibia?

“CCE contributes to the society by bringing growth and innovation to the community. We also help stimulate economic growth by providing employment opportunities to people who may not be employable by larger corporations.

CCE will have its first balloon décor, styling and sculpting training in November. This will be an amazing opportunity to encourage people that want to enter into the events décor industry and help them acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to grow their businesses and create jobs for future generations.”

What recommendations would you make towards the improvement of the operations of startups?

“I believe there is a lack of resources, information and funding for the youth to start & run successful businesses and create job opportunities. This might actually be the main reason why the youth are starting their own businesses. More workshops and seminars are needed to improve the operation of startups and encourage those with a love for entrepreneurship. Lack of startup funding is mostly why a lot of people are sitting at home unable to execute their amazing ideas.”

Startups in Namibia, and all over the world, are facing an unprecedented crisis in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic; how has your startup adjusted to the situation and/or assisted in disseminating information, combatting the spread of the virus, etc.?

“The events, décor & wedding industries are suffering and it has led to a major decrease in work, as all three are based on the need for people to gather, to assemble. The COVID-19 crisis has made it difficult for large groups to gather. As the pandemic continues, the government has placed restrictions on large gatherings and has asked citizens to follow proper social distancing guidelines. Due to this, many clients have cancelled or postponed their events and that has led to a loss in income. We have been struggling to keep our business up and running during this unprecedented time and this has made me struggle with paying my two employees. In March & August, the business was completely shut down because it was only gatherings of 10 people allowed. Other months we were open but we did not make as much revenue whereas before COVID-19 we were booked almost every weekend.”

Email: Info.creativecornerevents@gmail.com

Cell: 081 428 8459

Facebook: CreativeCorner Events

Instagram: @creativecorner_events

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Business Services

Wait on Me by Martha Nahambo

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“If you’re genuinely passionate, you’ll be okay.”

Martha Nahambo is a young entrepreneur and the owner of Wait on Me Staffing Agency. The oldest of three children, Martha was born and raised in Windhoek, where she attended both primary & high school, finishing her Grade 12 at Academia Secondary School in 2014. Having failed her matric year, Martha then decided to attend TUCSIN in an attempt to improve her results. After finishing at TUCSIN, she went on to complete the Science Foundation course at the University of Namibia (UNAM) in 2016. Martha is currently enrolled at the NUST Hotel School, in her final year.

Martha was proactive, starting working at the age of 16 at her aunt’s catering company. She then quickly moved on to working at different restaurants, cafes and lodges. She joined Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino as a scheduled worker, and also worked as a GSA (Guest Service Attendant) in the Casino. Overtime, her position became permanent.

“Now I have been fortunate enough to be the only Namibian selected to join the Ascent Graduate Programme –  a programme by Minor Hotels (a hotel-chain based in Thailand, that owns different brands of hotels including Avani Hotels)  that selects a handful of students from around the world, giving them the opportunity to learn & grow through their various 530 hotels worldwide. The programme was meant to take place in April 2020 but due to the pandemic, it has been moved to next year. I am looking forward to being a part of the next cohort & the journey that lies ahead!”

Starting her own company alongside juggling school & work really helped Martha learn how to work on tight deadlines but also taught her how to prioritize and plan ahead, while also allowing her to meet & work with amazing people who have taught her much about career growth.

Tell us about Wait on Me, the products & services you offer and your team.

“Wait on Me provides gourmet waitressing services for bars, restaurants and events. Our staff takes care of your guests and gives you the peace of mind to focus on other aspects of your event. Just as each event is unique, we provide specialized waitressing services to all our clients and cater to their needs.

We also offer specialized training packages that are perfect for existing waiters to improve their skills, product knowledge and ensure that customers are happy to return.

In addition, we make specialized platters for small to big events.

The Wait On Me team consists of young, passionate and highly trained waiters that all have experience working in the Hospitality Industry.”

What inspired you to start this business?

“During my first year of varsity, my friends and I made it a habit to dine out as much as we could but in doing so, I realized that customer service was terrible but more importantly half, if not all, of these waiters didn’t have the skills they needed to work in the industry. This first started as a way for my friends and I to make money but it quickly picked up traction as we went along.”

What do you enjoy most about being your own boss, and did you always know you wanted to delve into entrepreneurship?

“Being my own boss has brought a whole new meaning to the word responsible. This company is my baby and I want to see it grow and flourish but in order for that to happen, I am responsible for feeding it e.g. publishing good content, investing in good quality work/people, responding to the clients on time, getting work done on time etc. That level of responsibility is often misunderstood and taken for granted. I also love the freedom that allows me to do what I think is right.

I decided a long time ago that “working for the man” wasn’t in the cards for me. Yes, I would love to work to gain experience, make connections but it was never going to be a permanent thing.”

What sets your products/services apart from those in the same industry?

“The qualifications that we hold as well as the experience definitely sets us apart from our competition. Waitressing is not rocket science, so anyone can do it but not everyone can be a waiter. We are lucky to have found a team that are truly passionate about serving people.”

What challenges have you encountered on your entrepreneurial journey and how did you overcome some of them?

“Being able to juggle everything because as the owner, I am constantly playing different roles within Wait On Me. From receptionist, to content creator, financial manager, to the HR department – my plate is full. The trick is to find your tribe. Surround yourself with people (entrepreneurs) that are also in the same boat as you but more importantly, people that can help you in some of these departments. That help can come in the form of advice, a program/app you didn’t know existed or that one cousin that can do it in their sleep.”

What is your business philosophy?

“Entrepreneurship has no room for shyness. If you have a product/service, hell — even an idea, share it because at the end of the day, you’re not going to sell it to yourself.“

What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this industry?

“The Hospitality Industry doesn’t sleep; no joke. Working long hours, over the weekends, on special occasions & major holidays will become a norm but if you’re genuinely passionate about this industry, you’ll be okay.”

How important is networking as a growth component of any startup?

“The obvious answer is that it is important because you meet people that can help your business. But I stand by 3 things:

  1. Believe in your product/service, it’s easier to sell.
  2. There is no room for shyness when it comes to networking. No one will know about your product if you don’t talk about it. If you are shy, practice in the mirror, with friends or family.
  3. Get over the fear of sharing your business idea. As you share, opinions from other people can help shape it into a much better idea, something you haven’t thought of.”

What role does your startup play in 1) contributing to society and 2) in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Namibia?

“Wait On Me recruits and hires newly graduated hospitality students that are in need of work experience. Many waitressing jobs have been taken up by people with very little to no experience. We provide a platform in which these students can gain skills, experience and an income is our way of ensuring that we give them an opportunity to grow their careers, sometimes beyond waitressing.”

What recommendations would you make towards the improvement of the operations of startups?

“While funding schemes are just as important, we need more workshops or forums on how to actually run successful and self-sustaining businesses that can provide employment for future generations. The very basics of how to register a business, how to do taxes etc. It’s frustrating that the youth are constantly told to create job opportunities but are not given adequate resources to do so.”

Startups in Namibia, and all over the world, are facing an unprecedented crisis in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic; how has your startup adjusted to the situation and/or assisted in disseminating information, combatting the spread of the virus, etc.?

“COVID-19 has brought the Hospitality & Tourism industry to its knees. Many restaurants have closed permanently while others are struggling to keep their doors open. With that said, we have moved our focus to training more existing waiters, by upskilling them to ensure that establishments within the sector hold onto the very few customers left.”

Email: info@waitonme.com.na

Website: www.waitonme.com.na

Cell: 081 568 5055

Facebook: Wait on Me Staffing Agency

Instagram: @waitonme_na

LinkedIn: Wait on Me Staffing Agency

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News

Pitch Night 2020 in full swing.

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From Left to right: Niita Shikongo (Launch Coordinator), Given Veiko (Pitch Winner), Luimar Silva (Pitch Winner), Omagano Kankondi (Head of Solution Mapping, UNDP Accelerator Lab)

Launch Namibia hosted their first Pitch Night of the year on Thursday, September 10th 2020. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions in the country, the event was streamed to a virtual audience via YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. The event was an overall success with over 500 viewers tuning in.

The Pitch Night was themed around technological solutions, pulling together a cohort of 6 entrepreneurs, of which 2 won. The first winner was Given Veiko, who pitched a concept with a background in Education; while the second winner, Luimar Silva, pitched a business idea with a background in marketing. The winners both received a start-up hamper including a cash prize, business registration, a company design package and placement in the TechXport Accelerator Programme (MEST Africa) & a 6 month incubation at Basecamp powered by Start-up Namibia.

Launch Namibia still plans on having one more Pitch Night in 2020, loosely themed around Innovation. Look out for more information about the second Pitch Night on Launch Namibia’s social media platforms. 

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Entrepreneur of the week

Lotto Runners by Silvanus Mekondjo Lotto

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“Dedicate yourself to ensuring excellence & satisfaction.

Silvanus Lotto, born and bred in the streets of Katutura, Windhoek, is a youth entrepreneur and the owner of Lotto Runners. His primary years were divided into Grades 1-3 being at Marti Atisaari Primary School while Grades 4-7 were completed at Bet-El Primary School. He then went on to complete secondary school at Jan Jonker Afrikaaner High School. Upon attaining his high school certificate with what he deemed as unsatisfactory results, he embarked on improving his results and getting a driver’s license.

He slightly improved his results and took on Civil Engineering diploma studies for 2 and a half years. However, the burden of funding his tertiary education out of his own pocket became draining and Lotto rather opted to change his field to Marketing, as it was cheaper to study than Engineering. Simultaneously, Silvanus took up jobs in various sectors to sustain himself, such as transport services, tourism, security, retail & sales consultancy, construction, freelance marketing and many more. He now possesses qualifications in Civil Engineering (Diploma obtained in 2016) and Marketing (Certificate obtained in 2017), as well as certificates of participation in a Youth Entrepreneurial Training Workshop (2013) and a Leadership Development Training (2013).

Tell us about Lotto Runners, the products & services you offer and your team.

“Lotto Runners is a professional errand service provider founded by Silvanus Lotto – a consultant expert ensuring both personal & business errands are executed. Lotto Runners was formed to be one’s third hand to assist in executing your daily tasks. We later expanded due to meeting & interacting with people & businesses from different sectors, thereby adding 3 more departments under our umbrella, namely:

  • Marketing Strategy: designing different concepts to market your brand;
  • Immigration Consultancy;
  • Business Brokering: helping to buy/sell & expand businesses, acting as a proxy, business registration & consulting.”

What inspired you to start this business?

“Being from Windhoek, people would always inquire about specific offices and that I should drive them around or consult for them at these offices. The hassle around where, who and how to get things done on time was always a frustrating issue amongst the people around the capital city, however, being born and bred in Windhoek, I knew my way around and could easily maneuver within the city.”

What do you enjoy most about being your own boss, and did you always know you wanted to delve into entrepreneurship?

“The best thing I enjoy about being my own boss is being in control of my own time. To be honest, I always wanted to be a lot of things but a boss? That never really crossed my mind. While working for people all my life, I always had a side business earning commissions more than my salaries so perhaps it was inevitable.”

What sets your products/services apart from those in the same industry?

“The fundamental basics of business operations sets us apart; we value all our customers and handle everything with the upmost customer service, satisfaction and overwhelming professionalism in mind.”

What challenges have you encountered on your entrepreneurial journey and how did you overcome some of them?

“As the errand runner, not forgetting it is a new sector in Namibia, Namibians haven’t gotten used to the idea of someone executing errands on their behalf. Therefore, our main challenge was the lack of trust from people, due to them not being accustomed to the service. Initially, how we overcome this was to let clients put in their request without paying for the errand beforehand, enabling them to gain more trust in the service. Usually after the first errand, clients would have gained trust and oftentimes they would then refer us to other clients.”

What is your business philosophy?

“Dedicate yourself to ensuring excellence & satisfaction.“

What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this industry?

“For everyone trying to penetrate this market, one first needs to know and understand your clients’ wants and needs, because it enables you to meet your clients at the very peak of customer satisfaction. As they say, patience is everything; your client should learn and be able to trust your capabilities in executing their tasks on time and as requested.”

How important is networking as a growth component of any startup?

“Networking is fundamental for startups as it gets you involved in your community and your industry, which raises your profile and thus attracts attention to your business. People like to do business with familiar faces & familiar businesses. Networking allows you to find new opportunities you might not have discovered on your own. Your network has the potential to provide you with insight into different fields, information on what potential clients look for and advice on how you can improve professionally.”

What role does your startup play in 1) contributing to society and 2) in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Namibia?

“Lotto Runners believes in assisting to shape the society for the better and changing mindsets within our communities. In 2018, we hosted a Youth Motivation Day which benefited about 150 youth around Katutura & Khomasdal. The day was aimed at targeting mental issues, the role of men in society, accepting what was and moving on from the past, positive peer pressure, entrepreneurial talks and planning ahead; the event played host to prominent speakers, the likes of Leevy Lee Abrahams, Ally Angula, Sacky Shangala and Sophia Shaningwa.

Lotto Runners is also currently working on a ready-to-launch Marketing Strategy competition, giving away a free marketing strategy to one lucky Small to Medium Enterprise.”

What recommendations would you make towards the improvement of the operations of startups?

“I believe constant engagements between government, the private sector and Namibian start-ups can really help to grow all these respective sectors into a favorable, inter-connected market. Networking sessions for start- ups would also be a great way of improving marketing and being noticed.”

Startups in Namibia, and all over the world, are facing an unprecedented crisis in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic; how has your startup adjusted to the situation and/or assisted in disseminating information, combatting the spread of the virus, etc.?

“COVID-19 has created difficulties for all businesses, whether established or start-ups, and we all had to re-adjust in order to still remain in business. Our contribution during this time has been creating awareness of the virus, and informing clients that even whilst having to stay home for their own safety, they could rely on us to execute their tasks. We were also fortunate enough to be invited to the COVID-19 Communication Center to speak on the assessment of the center, but from the stakeholders’ perspective on the 19th May 2020.”

Email: lottorunners247@gmail.com

Facebook: LOTTO Runners

Instagram: lotto_runners_

Cell: 0811284627

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