The challenges that come with running one’s business are endless. They vary in their nature and magnitude. Imagine losing your number one supporter in the form of your father soon after venturing into your own space within entrepreneurship.

That is the story of Phindile Zama from Pietermaritzburg. She lost her father in May last year around the time when she decided to start her own business. Even though her father never understood why Phindile left her stable job as a Laboratory Head at Clover, he was the one who started planting chillies in his garden so that his daughter’s business may get off the ground quicker.

A few months later Phindile has a Shisanyama that is running very well and she is saddened by the fact that her dad is not with her physically to enjoy the successes of her new venture.

By qualification, Phindile is a Food Technologist and has worked in the food industry for more than 10 years. She now runs her own Shisanyama which is based at Taylor’s Halt, in Pietermaritzburg. What makes her business unique from the rest of her competitors in the food industry is that she produces authentic sauces for meat lovers and foodies.

By ‘authentic sauces’ we mean that she mixes her own original ingredients after developing the recipes by trial and error, and eventually coming out with something so tasty and delicious.

I enjoy cooking and trying something new. So when I realised I had too much time on my hands after quitting my job I started experimenting with the idea of sauces. And this idea soon became a project which turned into a business opportunity.

Phindile’s dream is to become a nationally known brand, or even internationally. She often dreams of seeing Chillaz Sauces in every shelf of every retail shop eMzansi; on tables in restaurants and BnB’s. She has already started negotiations with a number of prospective clients to supply her authentic sauces and one restaurateur recently told her that his patrons were usually not keen on trying an unknown brand, but those that tasted her sauces were very happy. That is what motivated Phindile to go ahead and expand her business.

By opening a Shisanyama, she has created an opportunity to do exactly what she wants to do with her sauces. For every food item (inhloko, umgxabhiso, braai meat, etc.) that they sell, it comes with a dash of the sauces. They have been getting nothing but compliments from people who visit her spot. It’s still early days for the business but the progress they are making is amazing. They are selling the sauces separately as well and the news about Chillaz Sauces is spreading fast like wild fire.

To witness what we are talking about you should make your way to her place on weekends to see the buzz. But what is more pleasing for Phindile is that as the word about her new establishment is spreading around, they are now getting more customers on weekdays who come to grab a bite during  their lunch  break. That on its own is an indicator for growth.

Judging by Phindile’s level of commitment there’s no doubt that her authentic sauces and Shisanyama business will continue to reach new markets. When we asked her what keeps her motivated to keep on going at this stage of her life, now that her father is no longer with her in flesh, this is what she said:

“My daughter keeps me motivated. My desire is to provide her with a certain lifestyle and every time I feel like giving up it’s almost as if she can tell because she just becomes the sweetest person on earth. Then I remember that I left the comfort and security of a salary so I can provide her with something extra special. I feel that being my own boss will afford me to be the best mom to her.”

I'm excited and nervous about tomorrow. We are opening….. Our very first shisa nyama using our sauces pic.twitter.com/p3cgUTOz3A

— PhindileZ (@PhindiZama) February 28, 2017