Starting your own business is not easy, or rather it certainly isn't as easy as most people think it is. So, herewith, I pay homage and I salute as well as take my hat off to a few women whom I've recently met at EXPO WP who each run their own businesses. A short collectively description of them would be, go-getters, entrepeneurs, sole providers, mothers, wives, girlfriends and business women all of whom are doing it for themselves. They are extremely creative, very determined, highly motivated, filed with commitment, all wanting to make a difference in their lives and those of their loved ones.
Amongst them are
Sumaya and
Elizabeth both talented fashion clothing designers each sporting their own label with highly fashionable clothing for that exclusive lady shopper wanting to look different or unique.
Sumaya isn't just a fashion designer but also a maths genius who provide maths classes to school kids in the boardroom of
EXPO WP by appointment
Then there is
Najma, Siyaam, Nancy and
Shima all four of them excellent cooks, each having their own food store, each with delectable menus appealing to different tastes, and together they feed the
EXPO WP's rainbow nation.
Fatima, Antionette, and
Mrs Langevelt each have their own stalls as well, a hairdresser, a bookshop and a biltong stand respectively, each one of them a vibrant business woman on the move, each with an attitude that will make a difference.
Micarla, Claudia, Rhazia, Kay, Sadia, Belinda and
Ruwadi are all therapists, some in beauty, some practicing alternative healing therapies and holistic healing, each with their own parlor providing a service to those who are ailed and in want of beauty, relaxation and calm. They provide services from head to toe -Indian head massage to Reflexology and other treatments far too numerous to mention. Treatments are not exclusively for women.
Ghalema and
Jani are relatively unique,
Ghalema is an artist and
Jani is a photographer, she is one of the few female wedding photographer in a male dominated profession. She has more than 25 years of photographic experience and has her own studio at
EXPO WP. Essentially she is the official photographer at
EXPO WP, having taken 100's of photos of shoppers poseing with celebrities who have recently visited the
EXPO WP. She was commissioned to photograph all three SA presidents since the demise of apartheid and on show in her studio, there are several portraits of
"Madiba" Nelson Golithlathla Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kalima Motlantle and Jacob Zuma. She has also photographed numerous other politicians whose names I can't even remember neither pronounce. I have also watched
Ghalema work, all original creations within record time using both water based or oil paints. You can commissions your own original painting from her, alternatively take art classes with her right at the
EXPO WP.
Then there is
Carla, Venice, Joy, Edwina, Farida, Sara, Armiena, Ina, Nadia, Viola, Cynthia, Sarah, Gawa, Nadia, Zubeida, Tsitsi, Dudu, Shaheeda, Muneeba, Nandiepah, Mariam, Wisaal, Sharon, Ruwayda, Luccille, Lyne, Shagoofa, Cine, Desre, Laeekah and
Grace all of them business women. Their names may not mean much to you but they are amongst the
"Ladies that makes EXPO WP tick". They are all set to provide each tourists with a pleasant shopping experience during the Soccer World Cup, from curios to souvenirs to food, shoes and clothing, artifacts, paintings and craft and many many items far too numerous to mention. They are responsible for the buzz, the atmosphere, the deals, they ply their trade especially for you, so it's within your interest to come meet with them, commission them, trade with them, do business with them, buy their wares, interact with them, eat from them, get to know them and perhaps you will develop the mindset to start your own business. Your first step to starting your own business is to come to the EXPO, the ladies are awaiting! After all, starting your own business may just be as easy as you thought it is.
