A light bulb moment scoops entrepreneur prize
Inventor of a unique project to recycle electric lights and save landfills from poisonous mercury, Schroder said she had not expected to win but that she was honoured that her hard work had paid off.
Dazzling judges with their innovative recycling idea and savvy business approach landed Patricia and Steffen Schroder from Salt Rock first place in the Ilembe Chamber Entrepreneur competition last Friday.
Inventor of a unique project to recycle electric lights and save landfills from poisonous mercury, Schroder said she had not expected to win but that she was honoured that her hard work had paid off.
The 19 finalists of this year’s Entrepreneur programme – a model which has been copied all over the province – presented their businesses at the Litchi Orchard to mark the end of the three month project.
“I think that everyone has come out of this programme a winner. We not only know what we are doing wrong but we know how to do things the correct way. I would have felt like a winner even if I did not win. This is just a cherry on the top,” she said.
Head judge Jane Wiltshire said the judging panel was impressed with the the duo’s work ethic and and originality.
“All the participants have grown and done extremely well. A few of them have really outdone themselves and impressed us,” she said
Reclite recovers and recycles lighting lamps, such as fluorescent lamps CFLs, HIDs, LED lamps and other associated products, at its recovery plant at Compensation as well as having played a role in educating government and industry on the need for such recycling.
Coming a close second was Nosipho Phiri from Ubucwibi Agriculture, near Mandeni. The Nonoti farmer’s methods and emphasis on developing farming skills for the youth was what landed her a spot in the top three.
Third position was taken by Kerryn Tremearne, owner of Kapas Baby, an online baby clothing shop, whose resourcefulness and polish was praised by the judges.
With this year’s catchphrase ‘Taking your business to new heights’, the Entrepreneur competition successfully took off on July 9. Nineteen participants were selected from 119 entries from all corners of the Ilembe district.
They received 12 weeks of mentoring and tutoring aimed at giving them a solid understanding of their businesses and value to the community and economy.
Geared with ideas and business skills and mentored by Chamber members, finalists battled it out to secure a place in the final stage of the competition. Winners received cash prizes plus advertising worth more than R60 000, a year’s worth of continuing mentorship and a year’s membership of the Chamber.
The competition was initiated by the Ilembe Chamber six years ago with the support of their main sponsors – ACSA King Shaka International Airport, Enterprise Ilembe and The North Coast Courier.
The programme aims to support established, small business owners in developing their respective businesses to a sustainable level.
Speaking at the exhibition, Ilembe chamber CEO Cobus Oelofse said he was impressed with the dedication that participants showed.
“We saw a mix of different personalities who all showed a keen interest to learn. We have all developed a close bond during this programme.”
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