Moving on...

New beginnings come when we start learning to accept that what is behind we need to leave.  Most doors ahead open only when we close the ones behind us. For every new dawn there was a night that was filled with darkness, as long as you know you in a tunnel eventually you will be at its end, dispair not.
~M.C. Mokoena~

Farewell Senong

A few weeks ago I introduced to you a good friend of mine Bheki Senong.  It is with great grief and heartbreak that I inform you that he is no more. His passing away last week Friday (12 July 2013) was sudden and unexpected, it has left us all in awe with loads of unanswered questions.  We have lost a father, a husband, a son, a brother and a good friend. He had so much to still do, so many plans and greater things to achieve, but maybe, just maybe God had other plans. He has run his race whatever is left we can complete. Everyone that knows him would know know that he was all about pushing hard, hustling, and making a way where there seems to be no way. Lets grieve, let the good memories we all have of him live on, celebrate his life but we have to let him go. It has been an unreal week for me but reality has hit that my friend my crazy good friend with the most infectious laugh is gone.  "Hamba kahle Chomie yami, ngiyakuncanywa" (as u always said to me). I will make sure that your memory lives on, it was an honour to know you. Rest in peace my Chomie.

REST IN PEACE MY CHOMIE

For the love of winter

Today a glass of smoth Merlot or a rich Carbet Savignon would really go down well with a rich Mutton stew and rice.  Red wines always bring that warmth in chilly days like these. are you a wine lover? Here are a few tips on the serving temperature for your favourite wines. Happy drinking....Cheers

Tip: red wine is generally served at room temperature but note that we refer to the room temparature in France which is at about 18 degrees celsius.

Meet Lihle Malinga

I would like to introduce you to Thembelihle (Lihle) aka “LillyBelle” Malinga. A chef and beauty therapist by profession, co-owner of Connoisseur Mobile Day Spa, proud founder of Lwazi’s Cooking n' Catering as well as Lillybelle Accessories.  This multi talented young lady hails from the beautiful province of KZN in a town called Dundee. One of the bubbliest people I know, she is a mom, sister, daughter and makes a great friend. A go-getter whom in her words says: “IMPOSSIBLE is a word that does not exist in my vocabulary”. She shared with me some really thought provoking views and opinions that got me really thinking about entrepreneurship. Enjoy the read…

1. Tell us about your professional training background

I went to primary and high school T Dundee. I am a mom, a sister, a daughter and a great friend. I studied for a Diploma in Professional Cookery at the International Hotel School and did my 3 year in service traineeship at Alpine Heath Resort in the Northern Drakensberg. While working as a chef I decided to study Massage Therapy, through the Beauty Therapy Institute. Best decision of my life!

2. Cooking and beauty? How do the two mix?

You have no idea how many times I've been asked this question... Just makes me laugh!!! *chuckles* Both fields have always been my passion. Coming from a strict family I actually wasn't allowed to study for either of my chosen careers. Believe it or not I actually tried to study for Graphic Design once upon a time!!!! My parents should have seen it coming; I started collecting recipes at the age of 14. When I was younger my mom was my kitchen hero... She would cook and bake up a storm. Every week she would bake so when visitors came, there would be something to have with their tea. She made everything from scratch, even ice cream back in the days!!I guess hospitality is in my blood, I love taking care of people one way or another... It actually works because some of our spa packages have light snacks and refreshments. I actually see myself owning a restaurant with its own spa... Let's say in 5years time. How I knew definitely that I would study massage therapy was when my father was involved in a car accident and had hurt his back, I knew how to massage it better and it has always come naturally to me. The only logical thing to do was just to get my Diploma so I could practice my gift formally.

3. What inspired the inception of your two businesses (the spa and cooking classes)?

When I was studying Massage therapy, the aim was to work for myself, and not for any other spa. That's when I met my business partner Ntswaki Moreriane a Beauty Therapist who just fueled my passion even further that our spa can become a reality. It took months of planning and finally Connoisseur Mobile Day Spa was started in May 2012. Our spa is mobile so we actually travel to people's homes.

How the cooking classes came about, was that my other passion kept on calling me. I was working for our spa fulltime, but would find that I have free time here and there to do other things. That's when I came up with Lwazi's Cooking n' Catering (named after my daughter Nolwazi). I saw the need to teach, because some people don't know how to cook to save their lives LOL. So I travel to people's homes and spend a good 4-5hours teaching them on what we agreed on beforehand.

4. Where do you get your inspiration?

I’m inspired by a lot of people, number 1 has always been my dad. I have never met another parent with such determination and passion who only does the best for his children. He has also invested in my businesses because he has that much faith in me. I'm also inspired by Ntswaki Moreriane, Bongi Nkabinde, Malebo Gololo, Euphony Kgadima all these amazing young black ladies give me that motivation that dreams do come true.

5. Who gave you the best business tip / advice that you still live by today?

 Ask! Ask! Ask! "You've got to ask. Asking in my opinion, the world's most powerful and neglected secret to success and happiness" -Percy Ross, self made millionaire and philanthropist

6. Other projects you are involved in?

I recently started selling imported earrings as a hobby, because ladies were always asking me where do I buy my earrings. I stock all types of earrings and at very reasonable prices. I deliver them around Gauteng and courier them everywhere else.

I would actually love to volunteer in the near future, especially in kids and women shelters.

7. To relax after a long day of work what do you do?

I play a lot of music and read. Or sit in silence and reflect on the day's activities and plan for the next day.

8. You call yourself a momtrepreneur…what is that?

LOL!!! Yes I'm a momtrepreneur (derived from the words mom and entrepreneur) I'm a mom first before anything and I'm an entrepreneur second.  Everything that I do is to be able to provide for my 10year old daughter a better life.

9. What business mistakes have you made that you learned from?

What I have learned is that you cannot rush business, just because you have made your first sale does not guarantee that your business will survive the next 6 months. Never assume that you will get repeat business from previous clients. Marketing is KEY! Keep telling people about your business, network and don't be afraid to ask for help.

10. Challenges that young black female entrepreneurs are facing in SA today.

When you are new in your chosen industry no one wants to take you seriously. They wait up until you are established to give you support. Other black females that have made it, don't give out business advice on how they made it, they refuse to mentor unknown lady entrepreneurs.

Get in touch:

Connoisseur Mobile Day Spa (www.connoisseurspa.co.za)

Lihle 0717432336 / Ntswaki 0718989651

info@connoisseurspa.co.za

Facebook page is Connoisseur Mobile Day Spa

Twitter handle is @connoisseurspa

Lwazi's Cooking n' Catering -Cooking classes

Lihle 0717432336

lihlemalinga@yahoo.com

Facebook page is Lwazi's Cooking n' Catering

Twitter handle is @cheflee

Lillybelle Accessories - Imported Earrings

Lihle 0717432336

Facebook page is Lillybelle Accessories

Meet Bheki Senong

I am honoured to have had the opportunity to interview a dear friend of mine Bheki Senong.  This young “corporate hustler” as he calls himself, is a visionary who is ambitious, bubbly, outgoing and very straight forward. I’ve learned quite a lot from him as a friend and some good business principles. Please enjoy the interview!

1. A little background about Bheki Senong the man behind SGM

Bheki is a young vibrant entrepreneur from the dusty streets of Lekazi, Kanyamazane. I matriculated in 2000 from Khaliphani Senior Secondary School. In 2002 I went to the University of Witwatersrand to do my BED Degree. I worked for Marcus Evens Internationally for a period of two years doing sales and marketing. I’m the founder and CEO of Senong Global Management which is a company I established in 2008.

2. What inspired the inception of SGM?

The inception of SGM was inspired by the fact that a great number of young people were queuing for employment and everyone was of the belief that in order to live a comfortable life, one has to work for someone else. When I looked around me I saw a number of young black kids who were sitting at home with hopes that someone would call them with job offers. These were extremely intelligent kids some were even highly educated, but they were all waiting for some companies to help them unleash their potential. I started SGM not only because I have always been a business minded individual, but because I wanted to help create job opportunities, especially for the black youth of South Africa.

3. What does the brand SGM carry? (Products/services on offer)

SGM is a business intelligence company which is 100% black owned and it is part of Senong Business Group. The core of our business is to offer companies and government departments’ business intelligence/solutions in terms of training, conferencing, workshops and events.

4. Would you say you a "hustler"?

According to me “a hustler is a person who uses his brains to make it in this world”. Throughout my life I have always believed that life is what you make out of the little that you have, therefore  if you want  to be successful  in life  you better hustle, so yes I’m a corporate hustler.

5. Biggest business lesson learnt over the years?

If you don’t take risks in business your business will never grow, however all the risks that one takes must always be carefully calculated.

6. Milestones you have gone through since inception of the business.

Having to keep SGM afloat through the tough times of recession and being able to save the jobs of all my employees. 2009 was a trying time for all businesses worldwide and companies suffered a merger blow as a result a number of companies had to shut down and employment fell, but we survived and we are still in business.

7. Greatest achievements?

Taking a risk and opening an events department that has been growing from strength to strength throughout the years.

8. What exciting projects are you working on this year?

Our Events and Entertainment division will be working hand and clove with Guluva Entertainment doing Marketing and Management for Bonginkosi “Zola 7” Dlamini, Ghetto Son, and we will also be working on a debut album For Bruno aka Spiro form Rhythm City(also a former member of Gumshev). We will also be doing our 3^rd annual Mpumalanga Spring Picnic- at Nkomazi during September 2013

I am personally looking forward to this event (Mpumalanga Spring Picnic), details to follow.

Contact Senong Global Management on:

Tel: 011 477 5771

email: sgm@senglobman.co.za

www.senongglobalmanagement.co.za

twitter: @senong001

Meet Miss Euphony

What a pleasure to have the opportunity to speak to my lovely dear friend 'THE Skin Therapist' Miss  Paballo Euphony Kgadima.  She is down to earth, grounded and humbled yet very well outspoken about her views. I hope you will enjoy knowing her better as you indulge in reading the interview I had with her.

1. Most people know u as Pabi/Paballo; you now use your other name- Euphony. Who is Miss Euphony? Euphony is my second name given to me by my Grandfather at birth. The word is derived from the Greek language and it means-"good sound". My Grandfather believed I would be that in my parents’ lives and that I would be creative. I choose and prefer to use that name now, because being a spiritual person I believe I am living out that name in this part of my life right now.

2. The passion for beauty and skin care started..... Growing up I always took part in drama or arts related activities, and everyone around me expected me to study drama, fashion designing or journalism. I wanted to; however my parents felt I had to at least try something that they felt would be a “career”… In my attempt to rebel, I decided to apply for Somatology. My Father was shocked at first, but gave in. My Mother on the other hand supported me… I applied, and thought I would be only studying makeup, and that skin care or beauty related courses would feature in my curriculum. I was in for a surprise when I got to campus to find it was a science campus, we had to wear uniform, and the students on that campus were stuck in their books. The worst part was when I was handed my time table with my subjects for the year; I saw chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology, nutrition… I told myself that I would do my best and thought about how much my parents had spent, so I studied and excelled in my skin care related modules. My lecturer’s often complimented me on those modules and I had a way of connecting with clients, which they thought was a gift. That is how I fell in love with skin care and beauty. 3. Biggest achievement since the beginning of your business? The achievement is two-fold; sticking to what I have set out to do, to establish myself as a skin therapist and being given a platform on Sisterhood. I have a long way to go and it gets harder as I go along, however I sleep easy knowing that I took the plunge to pursue my dream and people are inspired.4. The best advice you have ever received is? This is a tricky one; I am surrounded by amazing people, I find it hard to just pick one… I will have to go with my Mother; “Remember to do whatever you do to the best of your ability, and stay true to yourself in the process.”

5. What/who inspires you? People, I am inspired by people who pursue their dreams despite the status quo that says you need to have “job security” to be successful. I am inspired by music, it reminds me that what I do can be simple yet it can change someone’s life. I am inspired by the success of those who have passed on, while their legacy continues to live on. I want to be that woman, who leaves a great legacy behind. I always say to my Mother that my tombstone should read, “Here lies the Skin Therapist; she changed the world one face at a time.” 6. Your "pick me up" secret? A hot bubble bath, with Nina Simone playing in the background, that usually works. Cooking is also therapy for me. I have also discovered that running is the best therapy next to crying… LOL!7. Your favourite "celebration" ritual? When I order a Rock Shandy- just know that I am celebrating something *giggles*. That has to be my favorite, be it on my own or in the presence of someone else, that drink is just a well done affirmation to myself.
8. Your biggest skin faux pas? Great concealer and filling your unshaped eyebrows with the Woolworth’s Perfect Nude eye shadow palette, those two are a great skin faux pas combo!
9. Healthy skin is… Smooth, radiant and plump!

10. Exciting projects ahead of 2013? I have been working on two projects that I want to launch, all will be revealed in good time. I have learnt to practice the art of stepping back and looking at what I do from the outside, trying to work out how I can better my brand, acknowledging my mistakes and working on delivering the best as a Skin Therapist.

 Email: skintherapistsa@gmail.com

Twitter: @SkinTherapistSA

 Facebook Page: Skin Therapist SA.

Excited about...

A few weeks ago I introduced you to Collen Nxumalo a young writer who is making waves on the book shelves around the world with a few literacy awards to his name. I received good feedback on that post. So I have decided to interview more people I know that are making it rain in their respective industries.

This is exciting as I will introduce you to some one in the fashion industry, music industry, event management industry, training industry, beauty and skin care industry and loads more. Sure you will find someone you could identify with.  With these interviews I will give out their contact details. I hope you will enjoy this new feature.