#MakingIt – Washing out the stain of unemployment

The sudden loss of a job could not deter the spirit of a hard working Ebony Park entrepreneur.

Ms Penelope Mashigo (38) is now the proud owner of a laundry business run from her own house.

She lost her restaurant job and a cleaning job at an alcohol beverage company – jobs she held for six years and two years respectively.

“I had to stay home for six months. I tried, with no luck, to look for another job. I was used to working hard. Sitting and doing nothing made me miss my work. I was depressed and bored,” said Ms Mashigo.

She said during that time she would wake up and bask in the sun, which was not productive for her livelihood.

Ms Mashigo said she lived on the savings she had made while she was working.

“While sitting in the sun I had lots of questions going through my mind. I wondered as to when the working residents in Ebony Park do their laundry. I mean, on weekends it is their time to go for shopping and paying accounts at the malls,” she said.

It became clear to Ms Mashigo that the neighbours’ lifestyle could actually be an opportunity for a laundry business.

“I had my own space to work from and a small domestic washing machine but I was scared,” she said.

She said she used a small chalk board to write an advertisement for her new business.

A day went by without anyone contacting her about her business venture but on the second day she received a call form an unknown woman.

“The unknown woman said she was calling to confirm what she had read on the board put outside my gate. I corroborated the advertisement, we agreed on a price for her laundry and before you knew it I had my first customer,” said Ms Mashigo.

She said the customer was happy with her service and referred another customer to her business.

Thereafter she created pamphlets which she posted on the walls of local businesses, such as spaza shops, taverns and big supermarkets.

“From that marketing strategy I started getting at least two customers a day. From then until now, the business is sustainable and I am happy,” said Ms Mashigo.

“This is far better than not working at all and basking in the sun. Within three months of my business running, I was able to purchase a second washing machine.”

She said she wants to see the business grow and handle major contracts with big institutions like hospitals, hotels and big restaurants.

“I don’t do pickups and deliveries because I don’t have a company car. At the moment clients drop off their laundry and fetch it once it is done,” said Ms Mashigo

People who want to enlist her services can contact Ms Mashigo on 073 166 4071.