Women's Day and the illusive balance!

Saidi and I were meant to go shopping today, but the sitter let me down at the last minute. Not wanting to be too afronted, I took the scrap material I have to see if the design I have on paper would work with materials. Now, that I'm doing that exercise, I actually recognise its value before buying lots of fabric. In addition, I get an opportunity to refine the design before Saidi gets going.

Pins & Needles:
Experimenting with softer materials. Working our way to that showroom!

Because its a holiday and because the sitter didn't arrive, I have my daughter with me. She demands her share of attention and I'm so distracted I'm not sure whether I'm coming or going. 'Mommy! Sing!!' 'Mommy! Dance!!' All this while I'm pushing needles into fabric.

She then started asking for biscuits. That's when I realised that it was almost lunch time and she's likely famished. So, its stop sewing and turn on the stove - quickly and make something fast and healthy!

Cheese Mommy!
Waiting for lunch!

We're half way through the day and its back to work and school tomorrow. My appointment with Saidi will have to be kept during the week while my daughter's at day care. The weather is a bit unfriendly for one this young.

Enjoy the rest of Women's Day and do what you can. Multi tasking is a myth!

Keep you posted!

Labour of Love in the Sunday Sun?

Article by Samantha Kambule

"As a kid growing up in the North West, she wanted to own a tuck shop. As a teen she wanted a supermarket! And now Pulane Ditlhake (31) is a businesswoman after years of longing to be her own boss.

She owns Morubisi Consulting, a company that specialises in events, organising conference and seminars.

Recently, Morubisi started supplying promotional items and gifts.

As a single mum she says keeping work and family balanced is difficult. 'I manage by splitting my day into a part for family and a part part for the business'.'My clients are medium sized corporates who look for gifts to promote thier businesses. I also supply gifts to wedding couples who would like to thank thier guests for sharing thier special day - with my seshweshwe wedding favours.' And there are wedding favours for more westernised couples.

Pulane worked at Wits University as a conference organiser. 'This gave me the platform to lean about industry basics. I believe there's no teacher like experience and getting your hands dirty.'

On challenges, Pulane says 'clients expect delivery before payment'. Her advise to other you and aspiring entrepreneurs is: 'Business is difficult, but the challenges are safeguarded by the passion for what you do.'

Her dream is to have a showroon one day and to supply multinational corporations with her beautiful African gifts.

Snapparazzi attempt!
The article ran along the margin of the paper and was difficult to capture.

The article is well written and I think Samantha did a great job.

Itching to Start!

Since meeting Saidi, my head has been buzzing with ideas. I obviously don't want to waste our already limited resources, that is why I will stick with starting with one product. Assessing market response and then taking it from there.

I woke up at 05h00 this morning, struggling to sleep. The ideas had taken over my body! I then decided to calm down and think the ideas through thoroughly. I thought I should try out the first idea on the ladies I work with because the product would suit them squarely.

Once done, I'll give feedback here. Wish me luck.

Should we call him a seamstress?

I have been looking for someone with sewing skills to assist me with my range of products.  I have the ideas, but my sewing is not at the level that I wish to be. So, on a hunch I went looking in Johannesburg Central and met a gentleman from Malawi called Saidi.

He's been sewing since 2004 when he arrived in South Africa from Malawi as an Financial Management student. Like me, he's looking for a break. He's open to the experience and looking to develop and grow this business relationship.

I think its a winning combination. He's got the sewing skills, the experience, sewing equipment and the drive. I've got the ideas, the design, the sales experience and the hunger for this.

We will start with one product and take it from there. Watch this space.

In the Sunday papers!

Sunday, 1 August marks the beginning of Women's month in South Africa. Personally, however, this is the day that my business made it into the business section of the Sunday Sun!

The day started at 07h00 with a trip to the mall to seek this paper and unfortunately none of the carriers had the paper as it had not been delivered yet. You can imagine the pleasure of receiving the news from a great friend confirming the feature!

I will try and get the picture and post on here for you.

Happy Sunday!