29 Jun 2015

The trio, 27-year-old Bosiela Kebonyedilo, Tiro Mmereki (29) and Moreri Mesho (26), took the seemingly dreaded entrepreneurship route unlike many other young graduates who are still grappling with job hunting after tertiary education.

Theirs started as a somewhat improbable concept back in 2009 while they were still university students. Two were still at Limkokwing University in Malaysia, while the  other was at the Botswana campus.

The trio says at the time, they used to host events that promoted Botswana and African arts as well as culture to the diverse Malaysian community  and beyond.

Influenced by their successes overseas and area of study, Mmereki says after graduation, they focused on a communication related business hoping to succeed in similar fashion.

The business initially operated from home and was registered in 2012 as Wilcox Creative Communications, dealing in advertising, design and camera works. That was before the trio secured funding.

Tired of operating from home and faced with the challenge of lack of credibility, Mmereki says they moved to a better site in town, thanks to YDF which made it possible for them to secure office space as well as purchase equipment.

He adds that the money helped them to put in place a proper record keeping system, openning a bank account, as well as an office accessible to clients situated at the Maun Old Mall.

The business is doing well given the high number of clients who frequent it, says the young man while bemoaning lack of enough resources as a challenge they still have to overcome.

Although Wilcox has four full time and two part time employees, often demand for service is overwhelming. Mmereki notes that people should set goals given that business requires experience or background research.

He says teamwork is essential for the success of a business and thus encourages other youth to grow partnerships instead of focusing on profits only.

Furthermore, he says they plan to expand their business to include event management, as well as promoting talent through arts and cultural events.

Meanwhile, Kebonyedilo says passion should be the driving force because it gives one the courage to keep on moving even when they encounter hurdles.

Mesho on the other hand, advises the youth to make use of schemes such as YDF to set up or grow their businesses.

He also urges the youth not to be profit driven during the initial stages of the business because things may seem difficult. The trio praises YDF as a good initiative, especially for start-up capital.

However, they say funding for a business such as theirs should be increased because the current amount is not enough. Ends