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eNtrepreNeUrs
ellen wantS to deVelop
induStrialiStS, not SupplierS
Ellen Nkuta is passionate about women empowerment and believes
given a chance, they can uplift our societies. She wants to see more
industrialist entrepreneurs than suppliers.
please tell us about your company and your role?
I am the owner of Ellen G. We are a one stop supplier for all your
corporate wear, safety wear and gifting needs. We also do branding,
embroidery, and all kinds of printing, engraving, pad printing and
embossing. The company was established in 2012 and we have
been going strong since.
as a business how do you make sure that you rise above your
competitors?
I am passionate. Our products are unique, we have a quick
turnaround time and our prices a reasonable. Ellen G is BEE Level 1
and 100% woman owned, so I believe with that to offer I will always
rise above my competitors.
how do you motivate your staff and enable them to see your
vision?
We talk about everything. We talk about where we are and where
we want to be. I also encourage them with a vision to see where
are going before we get there. The best thing, is that I have a staff
that perseveres, we have been through tough times together. As
we grow as a business I will offer company shares to my staff. I
want them to continue as shareholders and run with the business
and vision.
what is your turnover roughly? R3 Million
Women are influencers and they are
compassionate by nature, so I would
like to advice women to get into
business that they will in turn give
back to society.
any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
What I can say is that we need more entrepreneurs in industrialization,
because most the entrepreneurs that are out there are suppliers. We need
manufacturers so that we are able to inject more skills to the society.
People will be exposed to the technology that is out there and we will
be able to employ more people. That is my ambition, I have bigger plans
because I want to mobilise. Soon I will be starting Hilbrow Business Forum
because I want to motivate people to become entrepreneurs not just
suppliers, but industrialists.
what are you views regarding transformation in Sa particularly
looking at women empowerment?
Women come across many challenges in business and they are
marginalized immensely by men. The biggest challenge for me with men
is that they see women as girlfriends and not business people. Racial
issues are also no exception. Women have potential however women are
sometimes unable to unleash their potential because of challenges like
finance, access to market and some of the political barriers. Women are
influencers and they are compassionate by nature, so I would like to advice
women to get into business that they will in turn give back to society.
Volume 23 • 2018/19
47
