THINKING BIG WITH NEWMAN
The book ‘Rich Kid, Smart Kid’ basically shaped your entrepreneurial skills, tell me more about this.
It was a groundbreaking read for me, it opened my eyes and made me realise a lot. It taught me tricks of the trade, savings and building up an enterprise from a young age.
Between the years 2008 and 2010, you dropped out of two reputable colleges, why?
My calling for entrepreneurship was overpowering every moment I had to spend in a lecture class. I honestly followed my heart, broke the culture and took a chance at success and here we are.
How was the concept of Native Events born?
It came from being passionate about events since junior school; from being Head of Entertainment, to growing up with friends who have mostly become artists, I had to - one way or the other - find my niche in the same market. I decided at one point that rather than always attending events for fun, why not find an opportunity within the sector and make a living out of it. I started off with cold controlling barriers for music festivals to eventually manufacturing my very first furniture pieces and renting them out until the idea grew to what it has become today. With over 20+ employees, we have become a force to be reckoned with in the events space.
Your family background consists of “business intellectuals”, would you say your background shaped you to be the savvy businessman you are now?
Your environment definitely determines your altitude in life, so, yes, the little that I saw with my parents running their small businesses has given me a better view of how to run a business; a step in the right direction if you may call it.
You have since diversified to build 5 other businesses that are doing quite well now, one would say you are building your own empire. Tell me more about them.
In order to reach the greatest heights of entrepreneurship, you have to be able to build more than one source of income, I am talking about diversity. I have grown to pay attention to opportunities thus allowing me to build a value chain enterprise system that is in sync. In business, you learn as you grow and, despite what people think, we build business with the intention to make profit and change lives. If I see an opportunity, I build a solution for it.
The latest business being Nubar, for those who have never heard of this, tell us more about Nubar and how the idea came about.
Having been in the hospitality business for a while, I have traded in the food and beverage market for a while. As I expanded into corporate event setups through Native Events, a need arose to incorporate beverage services into our setups thus Nubar was born. Since its inception in 2019, we have been striving to become Botswana’s number one choice for bespoke bar services, with a recent online platform that offers convenience just at the click of a button, www. nubar.co.bw. You can now order your favourite alcohol and have it delivered right to your doorstep in a few hours or less. This online platform currently provides better, cheaper, and faster alcohol delivery service to Greater Gaborone. Plans are underway to go nationwide soon.
Young entrepreneurs often say it is the starting up that is the hardest hurdle for a young Motswana, would you say this is a fair assessment?
All steps involved in becoming a resilient entrepreneur are HARD. It is easy to see starting up as hard, but wait until you start then you will realise that the entire business journey gets tougher by the day. Business is not for everyone, you have to be bold to make it from the day you start and throughout the journey.
Most young Batswana find it hard to get off their feet because of funding, would you agree with this?
It is a key growth facilitator in any business but comes second after passion. You need to have the drive to want to succeed more than anything. We have seen a lot of youth given access to funds and still fail to build sustainable businesses. Start small and grow big.
There is also the debate of companies stealing ideas from young entrepreneurs, have you ever experienced this?
Yes, but I have gotten to understand that an idea is just an idea until put to action and actually materialises. I also live by the words that the dream belongs to the dreamer, even if they steal your idea, they can never do it like you envisioned it in your dreams. So, have no fear and don’t be discouraged by such.
You have been in business practically all your life, one way or the other, how have you been able to survive under the COVID-19 restrictions.
We have seen unprecedented change unfold right before our eyes over the last several months. Our ideas of a world shaped by certainty have been shaken, and notions of stable businesses, streamlined operations and competitive pricing models have been shattered. Some of the lessons I have learned this year have been harsh, ones I will never forget but what has kept me up on my feet is purpose; remembering why I started in the first place and that it was never meant to be easy. Amidst the chaos, I foresee an incredible opportunity to reflect upon what the world needs and what I can offer.
You were selected as one of the young leaders to watch out for by Forbes Africa magazine, tell me more about this.
It has been long coming and well deserved if I may say. All the hard work put in over the years had to result in something. As a young entrepreneur from a country that I believe enterprising isn’t really in our DNA, this is meant to inspire the young aspiring entrepreneurs and prove that it is possible to make it to the global business stages from Botswana - through hardwork, dedication, commitment and most importantly passion - to Africa and the world.
You have a young beautiful daughter now, what would you say is the role of family in shaping one’s future?
It gives me purpose and direction in life and most importantly a reason to work hard everyday.
Getting a bit more personal, when you are not at the office, what do you get up to?
I am always looking for ways to make more money over a social gathering or even at home. I sleep if not socialising.
Which book(s) are you reading now?
Unfortunately none. I have become more of an audio and visual person than a reader.
Any special lady in your life?
Most definitely .The mother of my daughter.
TGIF, what will you be up to? Working as usual.
Cheating? I don’t cheat.
PASSIONATE:
SHE hit the big time back in 2015 when her massive hit ‘Free Love’ dominated the airwaves.
The track earned Licky instant stardom and saw the RNB singer scoop Best New Comer at the BOMU Awards. The 28-year-old has since gone on to win the Best Female award at the YAMAS twice.
How did you keep busy during lockdown?
My lockdown was spent with loved ones indoors, trying out new things. I did lots of cooking, arts and crafts, venturing into new business and of course created a lot more music and creative content. Definitely a lot of introspection as well!
One bad habit I picked up was probably spending too much time on my phone and the Internet, watching all kinds of videos.
I’d take time to listen to the concerns of the youth and involve them in the innovative problemsolving of key socio-economic issues.
What is your fondest memory from childhood?
My fondest childhood memories are musical. My family love Hip Hop. We would sit all together with my parents and watch ‘beef’ videos: NAS vs Jay Z, Jarule vs 50 Cent, East coast vs West coast. My dad was a huge 50 Cent fan, my mum loves Tupac and my favourite artist is Jay- Z. Hip Hop has a lot of influence on my music and style.
My latest project is called #MARAMENG. I collaborated with the legendary and gorgeous Fifi Afrika. We dived into a com
Licky pletely new sound with traditional elements, and sang in setswana, something I had never done. It was a challenge that came out beautifully, a rather happy song about love.
And, can we expect an EP or album any time soon?
I am constantly working on new music that will be compiled into an album soon. Covid-19 has been a real setback in terms of planning ahead and monetising our work. However, we don’t stop creating.
Who is your celebrity crush?
My celebrity crush is definitely Lebron James (American basketballer); that man is beautiful and focused.
The idea of an Arts Council sounds promising, but the real point of judgement will come from the execution of plans and ideas. It is important to have the correct points of reference in order to grow the arts industry to a credible and profitable one.
Have you been following the live parliamentary sessions? What did you think?
The live parliamentary sessions have been a great showcase of the minds that lead us. It has been - for the most part - disappointing to see how our leaders engage on grave and urgent issues that greatly affect society. The discussion on GBV has been the most disheartening to see. I wish the women in parliament gave a strong voice to it. We are not protected!
Five things people don’t know about you?
1. I enjoy cooking almost as much as I do music
2. I have to record barefooted and in a dark room
3. I am a mother to a 3-year-old girl 4. I can’t swim 5. I’m an introvert who enjoys too much alone time