Meet Patricia Schroder – a ‘woman for the future’

The slogan of the Ilembe Chamber of Commerce’s The Entrepreneur programme is “Take your business to new heights” – and Patricia Schroder, owner of Reclite SA and winner of The Entrepreneur 2016 Competition, is doing exactly that.

Patricia was recently named the 2018 Fair Lady/Santam Woman of the Future.

The prestigious award is awarded annually to an outstanding female entrepreneur who has survived the first 1 000 days of business.

In an independent survey conducted by co-sponsors Santam, it was found that the first 1 000 days of a business are the most critical. If you are still in business by day 1 001 one is likely to succeed long term.

Also read: Thuli Madonsela challenges Ilembe business community

The Woman of the Future Award was added to Patricia’s growing list of accolades since she competed the business accelerator programme presented by the Ilembe Chamber of Commerce.

Reclite SA collects, transports and recycles lighting, batteries and electronics.

“Winning the Woman of the Future Award is recognition for all the hard work that my team and I have done and a reminder that hard work does pay off in the end! It will also serve as inspiration for other women to chase their dreams and passions,” she said.

The Ilembe region featured prominently in these awards with local entrepreneur Kirsty Bisset, from STIR Social, being one of the finalists for the award. Bisset hosted the Ilembe Chamber’s Business Club earlier in 2018.

Included in the judging panel was Professor Thuli Madonsela, who was the guest speaker at the chamber’s gala dinner earlier this year.

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