ONE ON ONE with the talented Mosima

Not only is she a young, talented and ambitious business woman, she also has a smile that can definitely light up the room. Mosima Ngoasheng has found her passion in fashion, at the age of 27 Mosima owns a business called SheeqCollexion that sells a girl’s best friend shoes and handbags imported from Thailand. In the interview Mosima shares with us her achievements, challenges of owning a business, her turning point and her advice for those who would love to start their own businesses.
Tell us about yourself?
Mosima Ngoasheng is first and far most a daughter, sister, friend, family orientated wants to be a mother and wife someday but God’s time is always the rite one. I am a 27 year old ambitious Marketing Assistant by day job and founder and owner of SheeqCollexion. I am also a final year BCOM student at UNISA. When not at work I am a fun, loving, passionate person that is an artist at heart. I may not paint or draw but I express my passion for Art in fashion and in the beauty of the Art of living in style. Being a big part of many young women’s wardrobe choice that boosts their confidence daily is what I do.
What is your business SheeqCollexion all about?
SheeqCollexion would normally be spelt Chic Collection is an importer shoes and handbags from Thailand and other international countries where I find what feeds the Sheeq brand and standards.  My collection embodies all what the name means. They are full of style and elegance. SheeqCollexion sells all kinds of shoes for every woman’s dream from platforms, stilettos, sandals, knee high boots, pumps and wedges. Basically shoes for all kinds of occasions like matric dance, weddings or just another day at work or even a night out with the girls. However SheeqCollexion is not just a fashion label…it’s a life style brand.
How did you start it?
I was raised by a hardworking single mother that is very business minded and did everything to raise us comfortably and as she wanted us to be.  As a child my mom ran a few businesses one of which was perceived to be a male dominated business, the taxi industry. In addition my brother has also successfully built his businesses from a young age. Both their experiences have instilled in me a sense of business. I have always known that I wanted to build a name for myself in business and a legacy for my children but deciding to follow my passion for fashion came rather as a surprise. I always thought I would own a law firm or some corporate empire until I was hit by the shoe love bug.
When was your turning point?
SheeqCollexion was hardly 2 months old when I started getting invites to women’s conferences, corporate and social gatherings to show case my collection. I remember the first that I attended, exhibiting my collection turned into an image consulting presentation; I took that as an opportunity for Sheeq to shine. From that platform I networked and started a data base that I still use today of which is my biggest clientele.
Why a business in fashion and not something else?
Passion. I am happiest when I make a sale of one pair, even happier when I see one pass by in my collection be it a SheeqBag or Sheeq pair of shoes. In this business I tend to see women excited and happy and in return I am pleased too. I have thought of other businesses, written a few business plans yet it was right under my nose.
Do your products appeal to the working class or can students also afford them?
Yes indeed for both the working class and students, my collection is very affordable. My prices range from R380 to R690. Of which at times I accept just 50% deposit and settlement upon delivery, that arrangement appeals to most students as they can pay in two instalments. The working class like the convenience of doing their shopping while sitting on their desks at work and do not have to spend time shopping around for the perfect pair, they also like the exclusivity of their purchase, my collection is not found anywhere else but at Sheeq. It is not only the shopping convenience that we sell but also reliability.
Your products are transported from Thailand, this is an achievement, tell us how that came about?
After I have been selling handbags that I bought locally for a few months, I started wondering where I could get shoes to complement the collection. Until a friend of my brothers that resides in Mozambique tagged me on a pair of shoes that I loved to bits on FB which she was selling. My attraction to that one pair of shoes sparked my venture into the shoe business. Regarding the importing point I do not find that as an achievement, but a stepping stone. I will be happier to manufacture locally and see SheeqCollexion not only empower women through style but also create jobs and produce products that are on the standard of international products however proudly made in South Africa.

Are your products both for female and male?
SheeqCollexion products are for women only although I tried selling male accessories like cufflinks and ties, but quickly learnt that that market is not easy to penetrate.  I decided to specialise in these two products until God decides otherwise. But hey, like I said we are a lifestyle brand watch the space for what’s next in our collection.
Marketing a business can be very difficult and it’s every entrepreneur’s dream for people to know about their business, how do you market your business?
What has worked for Sheeq is electronic advertising and word of mouth.  I have a friend that creatively makes catalogues that I send out on emails to a database that I keep and in that form emails are forwarded to many other people all around the country. I also soon after I started formed a very helpful facebook page where I have a substantial number of followers and keep them posted on my newer range every now and again. These forms of marketing have helped reach all provinces in the Country and I now have clients all over.
Do you believe that women in business face more challenges than men, if so why?
All business owners face certain challenges, but women, because of their gender, often have additional challenges and obstacles that their male peers are less likely to encounter. Working business women who have children and are married experience even more demands on time, energy and resources. But this does not mean women are less successful than men.

Do you feel that the women entrepreneur base is growing?
Most definitely, statistics show that women are starting businesses at more than twice the rate of male-majority-owned businesses. I personally have close female friends that have started their own businesses and have taken them off the ground, I guess it is safe to say 3 out of 5 women run their own business be it in fashion, events, beauty or even in construction. Women are making it for themselves lately against all odds.

What has been your greatest achievement in owning a business?
More than anything the fulfilment feeling of doing what I love and of cause  the financial freedom that comes with it too, I now have many other deposits of income in my account besides the one I used to get once a month from my current employer .

What challenges have you had to face?
My first large order I did not have the 50% deposit to pay for the order as my supplier requires a full payment for an order. I was lying with this large order and did not have the finances to purchase it and deliver to my clients on time. When I finally got around to receiving the order after struggling to finance it, I realised I needed packaging that appealed to my market, more money was needed. So my biggest challenge was in the pricing, once I got that right I learned that I needed to make my market understand that the waiting period of their orders to reach them, that I still have to explain to most of my clients. I have learnt though that all they want is to be kept posted of the process.

How can other young business owners overcome those challenges?
Unlike most entrepreneurs not much thought was put in starting this business, the opportunity came my way and I grabbed it and learnt on the job as the business grew.
Do your research, ask your supplier questions and know what to expect and plan for it ahead. Make sure that your deposit required from your clients covers the selling price of your supplier if capital is not at your disposal.
What’s the best career advice you have ever received?
One very wise man once said to me that success loves hard workers. That statement makes sense to me now more than when he told me then about 4 or 5 years ago. Now I know why he is so successful. With that I would like to add that hard work isn’t work at all when you doing what makes you smile day in day out.
What’s a day in your life like?
My days are really not complicated at all; I am routine kind of person. I wake up just after 6, I am on the road to the office for about 10-15 minutes. I start my day with a cup of coffee and sandwich. I am front of the computer all day, responding to emails from my clients on both Sheeq and the company I currently work for. My job description as a marketing Assistant entails a lot of reporting drawing, so would be doing that most of the day. I correspond with my suppliers overseas. After work I’m on my desk studying, doing order deliveries or watching TV before I pass out.
You also have another job besides you business, how do you balance all of that plus your social life?
I guess it’s our family culture, both my mother and brother have never at any point ran or had only one business at a time that has simply become a way of life. I also study part time, so time is not what I have on my hands at all. The only rest I get is a little TV after work during supper with my brother if am lucky. I am very fortunate that the few friends I have also seem to be busy either with their family lives as one of them is married and the others are busy building their businesses and careers. When we do meet for social drinks is once in a while, mostly on weekends where we are all available and some Thursdays we like doing jazz nights at the state theatre. Sometimes it is as bad as seeing each other on a road trip to Limpopo where we are all from. But trust me the little time that we see each other we have major fun.

What helps keep your dreams on track?
This might sound like a cliché, but I keep a little vision/dream poster up my study desk to constantly remind me of my goals and dreams. On that poster there is a Range Rover Vogue and my dream house, I recently just put an interior on SheeqCollexion Studio idea that I have up there as well.My brother and mother are two inspirations for me to make it in life…..love to see them proud of my achievements.

What would your advice be to someone who wants to start their business?
Identify your passion and go with that, you will make a success of anything that you are passionate in.
It does not have to be law, medicine or accountancy to make a mark in the business industry
Love what you do and do what you love and remember success loves hard work

How can customers get your products?
You can follow on FaceBook as SheeqCollexion and on Twitter.
You can also call me on 084 919 8686 or Email [email protected]
SheeqCollexion website is still under construction.
I am currently in negotiations with a potential partner to set up SheeqCollexion Eastern Cape division to grow our market share.  Full details will be put up on all our communication platforms as soon as the negotiations are concluded.