All in a day’s work – the rise of Shikeva Yetu Cosmetics

AS a young girl, she never dreamt of being an entrepreneur nor did she entertain thoughts of running her own business.

But today, the soft-spoken Hilma Ndahafa Shikeva is one of the enterprising women owning and running a profitable business in the country. Hilma aged 37 is the co-owner of Shikeva Yetu Cosmetics – a manufacturing and distributing company of cosmetics – which she runs together with her husband, Oscar.Shikeva Yetu Cosmetics, which is based in Katutura, Windhoek, manufactures skincare products of petroleum jelly and body cream, and also hair care products.The business, which is registered with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, was launched in 2000 and has had remarkable growth, said Hilma.”I got fed up of doing nothing and decided to start a business and be self-employed, ” she said.Her first processing machine was donated to her by her sister-in-law.Last year, she was granted a loan of N$50 000 by a local bank which helped boost her business.But business really picked up after she won the coveted Innovative Entrepreneurs Award (IEA) in the mentoring category.Hilma won N$10 000-business support prize, which according to the IEA meant that the Namibia Rural Development Programme (NDRP), would assist Hilma in developing and give ideas of running her business meaningfully.The prize of mentoring and coaching was tendered by the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), and won by the NRDP.Winning this award meant that Hilma would, for six months, be coached on developing her business by NRDP.Hilma said the award, which put her in the hands of NRDP, from January to July this year helped her with a number of issues on business management especially how to handle the bank loan she was granted last year.Hilma said from her mentorship programme with NRDP helped her in marketing her business nationwide, developing her products, manage her finances and books, buy necessary office equipment and also issues relating to hiring of staff.Hilma’s cosmetics can be found selling like hot cakes in 12 shops around Katutura and also in Eenhana.Today Hilma is a happy businesswomen, who now makes an income of between N$5000 and N$10 000 a month, has learnt to run her business effectively, which she sees growing day by day.IEA targets entrepreneurs from the small to medium enterprises sector (SMEs) with the aim of assisting these business to grow.The awards are run by the JCC in conjunction with sponsors.This year’s awards will be judged in the categories of manufacturing, trade and services, women in business, youth, bright business ideas and innovation in in SME service provision.In each of the first five categories there is N$10 000 for the winner, N$5 000 as second prize and N$3 000 for third prize.The 15 winners will also get to share a N$180 000-business support fund, which will be administered by JCC with the help of the winners.The prize for the Innovation in SME Service Provision category is N$13 000.Those interested in IEA are being asked to apply and forms are available from JCC, the Small Business Information Centre at Soweto Market Katutura and also at The Namibian.The deadline for handing in applications is September 3.Hilma aged 37 is the co-owner of Shikeva Yetu Cosmetics – a manufacturing and distributing company of cosmetics – which she runs together with her husband, Oscar.Shikeva Yetu Cosmetics, which is based in Katutura, Windhoek, manufactures skincare products of petroleum jelly and body cream, and also hair care products.The business, which is registered with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, was launched in 2000 and has had remarkable growth, said Hilma.”I got fed up of doing nothing and decided to start a business and be self-employed, ” she said.Her first processing machine was donated to her by her sister-in-law.Last year, she was granted a loan of N$50 000 by a local bank which helped boost her business.But business really picked up after she won the coveted Innovative Entrepreneurs Award (IEA) in the mentoring category.Hilma won N$10 000-business support prize, which according to the IEA meant that the Namibia Rural Development Programme (NDRP), would assist Hilma in developing and give ideas of running her business meaningfully.The prize of mentoring and coaching was tendered by the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), and won by the NRDP.Winning this award meant that Hilma would, for six months, be coached on developing her business by NRDP.Hilma said the award, which put her in the hands of NRDP, from January to July this year helped her with a number of issues on business management especially how to handle the bank loan she was granted last year.Hilma said from her mentorship programme with NRDP helped her in marketing her business nationwide, developing her products, manage her finances and books, buy necessary office equipment and also issues relating to hiring of staff.Hilma’s cosmetics can be found selling like hot cakes in 12 shops around Katutura and also in Eenhana.Today Hilma is a happy businesswomen, who now makes an income of between N$5000 and N$10 000 a month, has learnt to run her business effectively, which she sees growing day by day.IEA targets entrepreneurs from the small to medium enterprises sector (SMEs) with the aim of assisting these business to grow.The awards are run by the JCC in conjunction with sponsors.This year’s awards will be judged in the categories of manufacturing, trade and services, women in business, youth, bright business ideas and innovation in in SME service provision.In each of the first five categories there is N$10 000 for the winner, N$5 000 as second prize and N$3 000 for third prize.The 15 winners will also get to share a N$180 000-business support fund, which will be administered by JCC with the help of the winners.The prize for the Innovation in SME Service Provision category is N$13 000.Those interested in IEA are being asked to apply and forms are available from JCC, the Small Business Information Centre at Soweto Market Katutura and also at The Namibian.The deadline for handing in applications is September 3.