Nokuphiwa Gcelu: A Taking Care of Business Success Story | Remake Programme
My name is Nokuphiwa Gcelu. I live in Mfuleni and am 36 years old. I have three children. I also take care of my sister and my niece.
I was born in the Eastern Cape in a small town called Matatiele. After matric, I didn’t study further but worked at the Department of Social Development as a childcare worker on contract, looking after young offenders. When my contract ended in 2009, I took a job as a clerk, where I met my husband. We got married in August 2010.
Discovering my passion for sewing
While searching for a job, I decided to keep myself busy by attending sewing school. I took a six-month basic sewing course and fell in love with sewing. This marked the beginning of my sewing business.
I joined the Remake Programme in May 2023 after seeing a post on Facebook about an open day for people wanting to grow their sewing businesses. I realised that while I had sewing skills, I needed business skills to make my sewing business successful.
The driving force behind joining TCB was my desire to support my family and help my husband, whose income was not enough to cover all our needs. I wanted to align myself with TCB’s mission of eradicating poverty.
Lessons and growth through TCB
TCB exceeded my expectations in every way. I gained invaluable business knowledge through mentoring sessions, and I embraced every opportunity TCB offered. Coaching sessions helped me with my mental health and parenting skills.
One of the most significant lessons I learned was about budgeting. I used to overspend without realising it, often using business money for personal expenses. Now, I am mindful of my finances and ensure that my business funds are managed properly.
Using the donated items posed a challenge initially, as I was more passionate about creating garments from scratch than alterations. However, TCB taught me how to reuse and repurpose materials and provided mending training, which greatly improved my alteration skills.
What I love about being a businesswoman
TCB has transformed my mindset and lifestyle. I am now confident in my craft and no longer intimidated by competition or the fear of failure. My family has also adopted healthier financial habits, such as limiting dining out to special occasions and saving money in tins. My husband even helps me stay on track with record-keeping!
Being a businesswoman allows me to be my own boss, control my schedule, and enjoy financial freedom. The best part is having a positive impact on my family’s well-being.
My dream is to one day own a clothing factory, create employment opportunities in my community, and contribute to economic growth. I want to help improve the welfare of my community and the country at large.
To anyone aspiring to be self-employed, my advice is to research your business idea thoroughly, understand your target market and competitors, avoid mixing business and personal finances, and keep detailed records. Most importantly, be passionate about your business.
Your contribution, no matter the size, fuels our mission to empower individuals to become self-sufficient and successful business owners to build a better future for themselves and their families. Donate now.
Taking Care of Business (TCB) is a nonprofit social enterprise. We are empowering unemployed South Africans and their families to escape the cycle of poverty through small business opportunities, mostly within the circular economy.
