Makhwinepe Winny Kgatla: A Taking Care of Business Success Story
I am a 32 year old young woman from a township called Lenyenye in Limpopo province but I’m currently based at Tembisa Motsu section. I am the last born at home so I also assist at home where I can.
I am a mother of 3; 2 beautiful girls and 1 boy. And of course, a businesswoman. I am a hardworking person and a go-getter.
Before I joined the TCB Resell Programme I used to work at a big insurance company as a Team Leader. Then COVID happened and I lost my job. In 2021 I started a small business selling detergents but it was not a success as I was giving most stuff on credit and it made a loss in my business. I had lost hope, I was unable to provide for my kids and it was killing me inside. I tried another business of selling hair products but still failed.
Then 2022, as I was on the internet applying for employment I came across Taking Care of Business (TCB). I didn’t know what it was about. I just applied because I wanted to get myself out of the house daily. In April I received their invite to come for an open day. By then, I had already lost hope but my partner encouraged me to give it a try. I came for the open day and honestly on day one, I wasn’t impressed.
That same week I received a call from the company I previously worked for giving me another Team Leader opportunity. I was forced to choose between TCB and the Team Leader position, remember with TCB I didn’t know much about it yet. I decided to give TCB a try as it was something new to me and I don’t regret it. I chose the winning team without knowing. I am happy where I am.
Healing from past traumas
Joining the TCB Resell Programme, I thought I was just going in and getting stock then selling it, but there is so much more that you get from the programme. It is extremely amazing! I received coaching which has helped me in so many ways. We also attend business classes, computer classes and get mentoring. It has really played a big role in my life. Coming to TCB has been the best decision ever.
In 2015 I had lost my sister in a mysterious way. I thank TCB for offering me free counselling services. I couldn’t share the pain I suffered from 2015 until I came to TCB. Something I had been longing to do for so long. I needed healing and I got it at TCB.
Financial and business training makes a huge difference
With the items like clothes and homeware, I always make sure that I get the best value to my customers. I keep the items clean, neat and sell them at affordable prices, that’s how I keep growing. Knowing my customers is part of my winning formula. Because I know them I can easily explain my products to them in a way that fits in with their lives and their needs.
Financially and emotionally I am better than before I came to TCB. With the Resell programme I am able to buy and sell and also save.
My life has changed because I am getting business mentoring and coaching. I know what to do with my money once I receive it. I am now able to sell professionally, unlike the time I had 2 businesses which failed because of my lack of business knowledge.
It has also helped a lot in my family as I share the knowledge and skills I receive at TCB with them. My kids are the happiest because they get new clothes more often now, before TCB we used to buy clothing once or twice a year only.
A home away from home
TCB helps us in so many ways. We have business classes, coaching, mentoring, counseling services and computer classes. These programmes all play a big role in our lives. Most of us came to TCB without knowledge of mentoring but at TCB we get those for free. TCB gives us a chance to change our lives for the better and to become better people and our own bosses. TCB is our second home. This is where we feel comfortable and welcomed.
I am Winny Makhwinepe Kgatla, The owner of kwaMakhwinepe Clothing Store.
What I love about being a business owner is that I know what will be best for my business. Being my own boss means making the best decisions for my business. I sell online mostly as I have customers all over the country and I use Paxi, Pudo and The Courier Guy to deliver their items. It is always a pleasure to get customers who trust me with their money from far, that’s why I always deliver. I also sell on the street on weekends to keep business going. I grow my business by adding more items from different sources. My main focus is to become a very big brand in future.
My dream is to have my own stores in different places. Owning a boutique or a clothing store would be my biggest achievement. For now, I label myself as an online clothing store.
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.