Margaret Harris spoke to Cikizwa Nqolobe about going out on her own

When Cikizwa Nqolobe took her first steps as an entrepreneur, she faced some tough challenges.

Cikizwa says when she set up Indima Recruitment, she faced "entry into the market as a small 'black' entrepreneur, not being taken seriously by clients when you approach them for business and the red tape that goes with securing finance as a start-up business", but fortunately for her, she did have an ally. ''Woolworths believed in me and offered me a place in its enterprise development programme."

She went from being an employee at Woolworths to being part of the programme, aimed at empowering black entrepreneurs. "Woolworths is a dedicated client, financial sponsor and business adviser all rolled into one. I meet with them on a regular basis to discuss Indima's progress and plans to grow and sustain my business into the future."

In one year, Indima Recruitment grew from managing five to more than 20 contractors in the IT sector. Her clients include Sanlam Investment Management, Coronation, BoE, Old Mutual, Metropolitan and Investec.

Zinzi Mgolodela, head of transformation at Woolworths, says: "We knew Cikizwa was someone with huge business potential, but she needed some help to take her to the next level. Woolworths enterprise development programme is not a charity. The investment needs to make commercial sense - and in Cikizwa's case it certainly has."

IS IT EVER THE RIGHT TIME?

Cikizwa had spent a lot of time thinking about being an entrepreneur, but she was waiting for the right time and was afraid of doing something she knew little about. She says her manager's support made it easier for her to consider becoming self-employed. "My manager at Woolworths encouraged me to initiate my thoughts. She was incredibly supportive and sincerely so."

She believes her experience in a recruitment agency and the time she spent at Woolworths also gave her the resolve to start her own agency. "Having worked in an agency myself and backing that up with my corporate experience, I was ready to face the entrepreneurial world without apprehension. They (the people at Woolworths) encouraged me to follow my heart and I did. They have been with me every step of the way, giving me business, mentoring me. They even paid for some of my start-up. Their programme has been a God-send."

Zinzi says: "As we do with other carefully identified aspiring entrepreneurs, we began by helping Cikizwa draw up a comprehensive business plan that clearly mapped her business growth. Then we focused on ensuring she had the business tools, skills and support necessary to take off as a start-up business. We continue to stand by her as she grows her business. We're extremely proud of how hard she's worked and how well she's done."

Today, Cikizwa knows the ins and outs of recruitment, but her first human resources-related job happened almost by chance.

"I was offered a job with Quest Personnel, for which I had no experience. But my interviewer saw my potential. I was initially employed as an internal consultant (a nice term for an administrator) and after three months I was promoted and given a client base to manage. At the time I was studying towards a financial qualification, but the following year I switched and registered for a human resources qualification, which I have since completed." Cikizwa studied human resources management through the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Today, she is pleased with the choices she has made. "I enjoy working with people and assisting them to fulfil their employment needs. Human resources gives me the sense of achievement at the end of each day. I feel good about the work I have put in."

A look at the route Cikizwa has taken to get where she is shows that sometimes success comes from being positive and open to what life has to offer, rather than having a clear plan.

Cikizwa is not complacent and is quick to acknowledge and appreciate just how far she has come. "It's been quite a ride from Gugulethu to where I am today. Woolworths has really been amazing, first as an employer and then as a champion of my entrepreneurial journey."