“If you know your passion, and you are determined to reach your dream, then work hard, stay focused and nothing will be impossible in your journey of success” – Jacqueline Baruti
Jacqueline Baruti has been running her furniture business for over five years. She is a beneficiary of the Graça Machel Trust’s Women Creating Wealth programme that has seen 300 women benefiting from the entrepreneurial skills development programme in Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia. She highlights that although there have been a number of socio-economic problems affecting her country, Tanzania, she has successfully managed to grow her business.
The 55-year old determined entrepreneur had always wanted to be in business, with the initial hope of studying and establishing a construction company. Her dream was deferred as she started a family but later on started a furniture business with her husband which she owned 50%.
Sadly, the business didn’t last long as her over 20-year marriage ended and this led to the business also failing. After the divorce, she still had a list of customers who kept inquiring about their products. This inspired Jacqueline to start up a new business, “After I got divorced in 2012, that was my ‘ah-ha’ moment as it was then that I came up with an idea of establishing my own business.”
This led to the birth of Temic Company Limited (TCL), established in August 2012. The company which has over 5 years industry experience, has proprietors with over 20 years’ experience in the Industry, a total staff compliment 5 full-time employees and sometimes, engage over 10 part-time workers.
Her success has not been without challenges, “My biggest challenge has been shortage of working space, and working capital as I don’t have collateral on which I could borrow money against, we wish to increase her workspace, then increase workspace, buy modern equipment, keep enough stock of raw materials and keep some funds for human resource management.”
Jacqueline further highlights other challenges women entrepreneurs face in Tanzania and Africa as the; “Lack of women understanding their true passions, lack of belief in themselves, lack of access to finance for growing their businesses while some are being discouraged by their spouses.”
To these challenges however Jacqueline notes that although Africa struggles with having women in business, the jinx has been broken as more women are venturing into entrepreneurship, and making waves of success despite the socio-economic and political challenges posed to women in business.
Jacqueline’s secrets to success
Jacqueline shares some important lessons that have helped her succeed as a business woman.
- Money is an important and delicate factor in business. It requires good strategies and attitude for proper utilization and management. “Before the Women Creating Wealth training I was not good at cash management. After the training, I learned to differentiate business money and personal money and hence I am now on payroll and I use my salary for my personal needs. It has helped me a lot to minimize my spending habits and now I only spend on needs and not wants.”
- Every successful business has its modus operandi or characteristics which can be said to be the secret of its success. “Fulfilling commitments, always being positive and humble. We listen, we care, and we continue to uphold the long-standing tradition of not only meeting but exceeding our customers’ expectations. Also, a consistent and timely delivery of products to customer’s satisfaction. We never compromise when it comes to standards of quality to our products”
- Always searching for new opportunities to grow personally and business-wise. “I keep seeking for new information. I participate in business forums, workshops related to my industry in order to find new information and technology.”
- Demand efficiency and quality in all dealings to establish loyal clients. “I always demand efficiency and quality in whatever I do. There is no way I can compromise on quality. Being a time conscious and goal oriented individual, I always plan first before doing anything. I plan ahead my days, weeks, months and even a year. I plan large tasks breaking into small tasks to be done within a specific timeframe.”
- Network and build your marketing skills. “I aim to become a market leader in the furniture manufacturing industry, producing, marketing and trading the highest quality furniture, wooden doors, and components, not only in Tanzania but also across Africa.”
- Be driven and passionate: “Being determined and persistent have helped me a lot in my journey of entrepreneurship, if you know your passion, and you are determined to reach your dream, then work hard, stay focused and nothing will be impossible in your journey of success!”
For Jacqueline Michael Baruti, it’s going to be a long ride down the lane of success, sit in tight and watch the space!
Find out more on the Women’s Economic and Social Advancement Programme
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Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.