ERMELO – The self-taught businesswoman and designer, Thabile Maseko, known as Lady-B, is determined to create employment opportunities for young people in the area.

The owner of Lady-Laundry B’s and Dry Cleaning plus Designs, Church Street, is confident as she reflects on her journey and the milestones she has attained.

Just like most business people, Maseko’s journey to establishing her business was not an easy one. She started it in 2016 as a result of being retrenched from work, after working for a local mine for seven years.

“The journey to self-discovery is not easy, it requires patience and hard work, this is why I put God first before everything. I started working as a bathroom cleaner in the mine, and when my manager saw my ability to learn, they enrolled me in training and promoted me to an assistant surveyor,” Maseko said.

After being retrenched in 2015, she felt the need to start her own business and to become the businesswoman she always envisioned herself being.

“That’s how the birth of my businesses came about. I used the equipment I had then to keep the business going. When I tell people I started with two washing machines, one of which was broken, and one dryer, they find it hard to believe. I had to do everything alone, since I had no employees – from washing, ironing and folding the clothes.”

Maseko said starting the business was not easy, but she is grateful for taking a leap of faith as the business reminded her of her love of fashion and design.

The seamstress has made clothes for various people, including traditional clothes and wedding and farewell gowns.

Read the complete article in Highvelder.