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This reader dreamt of being a teacher, but her Signature Moment came when she started building her construction business.
For Prenisha Govender, teaching was her girlhood passion. However, after studying computer science and business studies she found herself drawn to the construction industry. With her husband already in the sector, he became her mentor and shared his wide knowledge with her. The construction industry is also a good place to learn life’s money lessons, as Govender discovered. “I have learnt that money comes and goes. That is why we need to be wise when spending. Yes, money can provide the things you want, but we have to earn it to reach our goals.”
As far as setting up her own business, SPS Civils & Building, she began in 2018 and though she hit a few potholes along the way, she ensured she kept on learning. “I followed the necessary requirements in running a business – which was plenty of work. But I reached there eventually.”
She says to reach her business goals she attended business seminars, like the Forbes Leading Women Summit, for example, and made sure she was continuously adding to her knowledge base. She says that she feels very lucky that her first customer was the pastor at her church. He took a chance on her. “I renewed the driveway with asphalt and helped revamp the new church. And thereafter, it was word of mouth and I began advertising my company.
“I always put pen to paper and see whether I can handle a job, if it isn't too big to take on.”
She says she began gaining traction by advertising via social media as well as approaching companies and households in person.
“I printed thousands of flyers which, I myself walked from door to door and placed them in each postbox.”
When reflecting on some of the missteps she’s made in her journey to building a successful construction business, Govender says that making hasty decisions such as accepting contracts without enough capital to pull them off is a big one.
“I didn’t budget for the job and it landed me in major debt. My business had grown and then I almost lost everything, but I never gave up because I knew how difficult it was to get where I am. So, I gave it another try, pushed towards growing by getting financially stable.”
Her focus and determination have paid off and now she employs eight skilled workers, doing her bit as a small business owner to make a dent in unemployment.
As for her next challenge – she plans to continue on her path to being a successful, independent businesswoman and help her business grow to nationwide recognition. She says she’d like to involve her children more as she grows her business so that it becomes a family business and she leave a legacy for them too.
“I have this to share with anyone else who is setting out in business. It is never too late to dream and never lose hope. Just prepare for financial challenges and begin with a solid business plan, because if you have the vision you can pursue any dream.”
As for Govender, she continues striving for her dreams too and says that with her focus and the obstacles she’s overcome already, she believes she can.
“My biggest dream is to travel the world before I’m too old – and live in a mansion with my dream car.”
It can be.
This post and content is sponsored, written and provided by Standard Bank.
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