POLOKWANE – Philda Pitsi Mafolo’s says her self-employment gamble is paying off.

During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the 37-year-old from Bendor founded Bonolo Naturals, offering handmade organic products for hair and skin.

Despite a career spanning over 12 years in managing major retailers, Mafolo always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur.

“The best decision I made was to invest in myself. I have a background in B.Com accounting and recently completed a diploma in retail management. I have also done short courses on entrepreneurship as well as health and safety,” she explained.

Always looking for opportunities to grow, Mafolo expanded her business and rebranded it as Bonolo Hair and Beauty, allowing for more growth.

Her background greatly influenced her business-oriented mindset. “Growing up surrounded by strong businesswomen, relying on a single source of income was out of the question. They never relied on a single income; they always had multiple streams of income. Even those working corporate jobs had side hustles,” she shared.

Understanding that no business is an island, Mafolo founded the Early Risers Network to build collaborative partnerships that can benefit startups. This network brings various businesses together in one place for networking opportunities.

“The aim is to bring like-minded professionals together to network. It is a platform for people to pitch their products and services, sparking interest in their businesses,” she said.

Mafolo is currently working on a book and a short course about the world of retail entitled The Retail Girl.

To say she is busy would be an understatement. As an entrepreneur, mother, and wife, she shared that she has chosen to work smarter, not longer.

“My husband and I took our employees to school to study for their particular skillsets so they can help run the business, which gives me the freedom to spend more time with my family,” she said.