The government should have a substantial budget to fund budding Namibian brands which could impact economic growth.
This is the wish of Beatha Shitemba, the founder and chief executive of Nel’s Babies & Kiddies, a local brand trading in baby products, which recently opened a store at Windhoek’s Grove Mall.
“The same effort put into collecting taxes and Value Added Tax (VAT) from Namibian businesses should be put into funding the businesses,” she says, adding that if she had the power to change anything, she would be happy to see a lower tax rate for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Shitemba, who established her business in 2017 and funded the venture from her savings, says many small businesses collapse due to a lack of funding.
“I invested N$4 000 into the business to create the first prototypes and first stock. All the sales made from that investment were reinvested into the business as a form of bootstrapping.
“I was working full-time during that time, so what I earned from the business was reinvested to expand the product offering,” she says.
She says she started her business as a side hustle, supplying the market with baby bedding from the boot of her car and selling other products online.
She wanted to start a business that offers products barely found on the Namibian market after the birth of her son, she says.
Shitemba says she sources her merchandise from Namibia, South Africa and overseas.
“We try our best to source products that are hardly found in the country, products that are innovative and modern for a modern parent.
“I was also motivated to create a sustainable brand to eventually have financial independence and flexible working time. I wanted to take control of my destiny,” she says.
“After completing Grade 12, I secured a job with an SME. After that I worked in the banking sector and acquired about 17 years’ corporate working experience.
“I’m currently studying for a law degree,” Shitemba says.
She says there are a lot of opportunities for childrens’ brands, especially local brands.
“There are challenges in terms of monopoly and workable funding to enlarge the brand, however, those can be dealt with,” she says.
“We provide products to parents, friends, family members and the relatives of these parents. We also provide baby and kiddies products to daycare centres or companies that need baby items.
“We mostly market our business online as that has proven to be an effective advertising channel,” Shitemba says.
She says the shop has two employees, and they have outsourced other business functions.
“As the business expands, we plan on bringing some of the functions in-house,” she says.
She wants to see Nel’s Babies & Kiddies’ footprint enlarged by having franchises in the Southern African Development Community region, as well as more in Namibia, she says.
Her advice to woman out there, is: “If you have a dream, make it happen – not just for you, but for your kids. God has given us inspirations, dreams, and ideas.”
Credit – Taken from – https://www.namibian.com.na/call-for-govt-enthusiasm-in-funding-smes/
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