adminThulani Ndlovu Sunday Leisure Correspondent
AT just 20 years of age she possesses dazzling beauty that is coupled with an extraordinary business intellect seldom found in many young ladies of her age. Many young ladies of her age spend the better part of their time with buckets of cosmetics to enhance their beauty and look trendy but for Nicola Grace Hove most of her time is spent in the bush as she is into gold mining.
Many know her from the small screen where she was among the top five contestants in the popular business show – My Own Boss – that was aired on ZTV that sought to empower young people from across the country with entrepreneurial skills.
And although the show abruptly ended without the final winners having been announced it did not end her dreams of being a successful businesswoman and millionaire. She has already started taking steps towards achieving her aspirations and said she was going to stop at nothing in pursuance of her dream.
Sunday Leisure correspondent Thulani Ndlovu (TN) caught up with Nicola Hove (NH) at a local hotel where she told of her experiences in the entrepreneurial reality show and what she has been up to.
TN: You represented Bulawayo among other contestants in the business reality television show, My Own Boss Season 5, what was your biggest achievement during the show?
NH: Obviously, making it to the top five which was the biggest achievement. I’m still in the finals. Despite the age factor, I still managed to finish strong. Through the experience and skills I acquired in the show, I developed a business concept for a major telecommunications company in Zimbabwe I will not mention for confidentiality reasons. The concept was basically a unique mobile money service specifically targeted at informal traders in major business centres such as Mbare, Chitungwiza, Beitbridge, Bulawayo’s eRenkini among other major informal trading centres. I won’t go into details, but key to note is the fact that this was my introduction to a whole new serious business world. It really got me thinking of how young entrepreneurs could leverage on their intellectual capital and in turn make a good dollar out it.
TN: What was the most difficult business challenge you were given in the show and why would you say it was difficult?
NH: Funny enough, the fruits and vegetables was the most difficult for me. I remember imagining how easy that task was going to be upon being given the task by Phillip Chiyangwa. Well, I would say fortunately or unfortunately, I was made team leader that week. I had never at any point in my life anticipated how serious the fruits and vegies business could turn out to be. From afar, it looks like a walk over, but I can tell you for a fact that there is a lot of thought and planning that goes on in that line of business. It got me thinking of how we as young entrepreneurs often undermine certain business activities and how we invest a lot of our energy and time, writing business proposals , marching from top gun’s office to the next yet good money is in the simplest of things. Good money is in the simplest of businesses. Word out.
TN: You are a beautiful young lady; do you think that is an obstacle or a plus in business circles?
NH: Thank you for the compliment. However, I’m beyond image hey. It’s rather unfortunate that money has no idea how I look; it doesn’t even care about all that . . . chuckles. But on a serious note, I’m into gold mining, and I spend most of my time in the bush. So to answer your question, no, it’s not an obstacle at all. One great lesson I have learnt over the years from my mentors and advisors is the issue of self-respect and presentation. If you want to see yourself as nothing but a bag of good looks, then good for you honey. However, if you regard yourself as a billionaire in the making and you really want to be taken seriously then look and play the part. I’ve chosen the latter and I’m proud of it.
TN: What line of business do you specialise in?
NH: You can call me a tsheketsha if you like. I don’t mind (laughs). I’m into gold mining. I started gold mining in January and the experience has been life and pocket transforming. Other than that, I do other small ventures like clothing retail and selling of high quality 100 percent weaves. I’m currently in talks with a friend of mine from Nigeria. We are planning on launching her hair and cosmetics brand in Zimbabwe. Her company specialises in the harvesting, treating, packaging and distribution of 100 percent Indian, Peruvian, Brazilian among other types of hair and making eco-luxury cosmetics. So once my finances are ready, we will gladly launch her brand in Zim.
TN: You are determined to succeed at all costs, right?
NH: Lunch bar! Obvious! I am. What else could I possibly be doing with myself in my early 20s other than shaping up my future? I am grateful I started laying a good foundation for myself years back. I would say the right attitude is what I need to stay on track. I want to make it big. I want to leave my mark in the business world. I want to be the next Bridget Radebe. I want to be the next Folorunsho Alakija. I want to be Zimbabwe’s very own Isabel Dos Santos. I dream of changing the face of luxury property in Africa. I dream of making Forbes list of Billionaires. I dream of helping children in my country just like Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa have done. I want to help those living with disabilities realise their dreams and have a reason and not despair in fulfilling their purposes. I want to help grandmas and grandpas all around the country. I believe they still deserve a decent living even at their peak of life.
TN: You recently represented Zimbabwe at the World Economic Forum this year in Abuja, Nigeria. How was the experience?
NH: Life changing. To be honest I had always watched presidents and billionaires speaking as panelists at World Economic Forum events on TV. In as much as I dreamt of attending one of those events, I never imagined the opportunity would present itself that soon. I would be honest I was quite overwhelmed. I had always thought I was making it in my own little world, only to meet other sharp and dynamic young entrepreneurs making real waves in their respective lines of specialty. I learnt a lot from the event. The first three days were the annual gathering of the Global Shapers Community in Africa and then the last two days were the World Economic Forum on Africa. The best part of the event was the networking (Good networking platforms for the clever hey).
The sessions were highly informative and enlightening. However, I still believe dialogue that does not lead to any action is just fancy talk shop. Another interesting part of the event was meeting and dining with about half the people who inspire in the business world. Talk of Ashish Takkhar, Africa’s youngest Billionaire, to the force behind the world class and luxurious Dubai’s property revolution, Sheikh Al Mohamed to Tony Elumelu and Aliko Dangote, some of Africa’s leading billionaires.
TN: Bulawayo, has been experiencing a down turn in terms of production what will you do different?
NH: I cannot be successful in isolation. Bulawayo is definitely destined for economic greatness. This is God All-Power’s city by the way! We need a new mindset and drive towards our way of doing business. The businesses that survived the economic pinch applied simple magic to their business – Innovation. And I believe unless and until we wake up to smell the coffee, then will we start walking and talking on a new business path. The question to ask is how do we start concepts and strategies that encourage competitiveness at global scale because like it or not, competition in business is global now. In lay man’s terms, if you were making peanut butter and jam and packaging it in a particular way, wake up. South Africa’s Tiger Brands has come in with a more attractive way of packaging the same peanut butter and jam you are making. And I am of the conviction that the same metaphor applies to those in banking, retail, and telecoms among other lines of business. Innovation is key for the survival of many businesses not only in Bulawayo but in Zimbabwe at large especially with many industries in mind.
TN: Business world has been characterised as a men’s domain. What message do you have for young ladies out there who would love to venture into the business world?
NH: Get up and realise your worth and power especially in business circles. In as much as I appreciate the vast challenges that women face in the business world, I make no excuses at all in my approach to doing things. I believe God made no mistake at all in making me a woman and destining me for the business world. I’m an adequate package and I need to be the woman I was born to be even when it comes to making a dollar. It’s not like money cares whether you are male or female. Free advice to woman in business out there: You don’t have to pull men down in order to take your stand in boardrooms. Look at the likes of Divine Ndlukula and Maureen B Shana. They still wear their high heels, put on some red lipstick and still make good business headlines. Realise your worth, chin up and make the most of it. Don’t forget your red lipstick!
TN: Who are your role models in business and why?
NH: That’s one seemingly easy question but challenging at the same time. I look up to the vendors who wake up early in the morning and make their way to the markets to sell their merchandise. To a wise man there’s a lesson of determination to learn there. I look up to Africans who have broken boundaries in mining. These are the likes of Patrice Motsepe and Bridgette Radebe among others. I look up to Divine Ndlukula, Folorunsho Alakija the richest black woman in the world. She even outdid Oprah herself. I look up to a lot of people. I look up to you too. (smiles)
TN: On a closing note, seeing that you are a beautiful young lady, is there a man who has swept your heart in the business world?
NH: Hahaahaa. My goodness! Yes there is this other Gwanda boy from Entumbane that I really like. Keep watching Forbes magazine for his name. (Laughs) That’s all there is to know. Otherwise all else is private.
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