Transform Your Financial Future: The Power of Multiple Income Streams

Bathabile Moreki is a serial entrepreneur, author, mom, sometimes goofy but very prolific business mentor. With a mindset of increasing her streams of income , Bathabile truly embodies the spirit of black excellence and is a fervent supporter of business growth in townships.

As a thriving entrepreneur and multiple franchisee, Bathabile has accomplished significant milestones and remains a source of inspiration within the black community, involved in the township economy.

As the CEO and founder of Nothile Consulting, she was honored as one of the 100 Women of Fortitude, celebrating the legacy of struggle icon Albertina Sisulu.

In September 2020, she released her first book, in which she elaborates on her belief that small business owners should have multiple streams of income. Bathabile catches up with our writer Bianca Mashao, and talks about all things business including her new ventures.

Tell us a bit about what Nothile Consulting does?

Nothile Consulting, trading as Township Economy Transformation in the Franchise Eco-System (TETFE), is an award-winning, 100% black woman-owned and managed Entrepreneurship One-Stop Hub founded in 2017 with a mission to revolutionize the approach to small enterprise development and harness the power of technology for economic growth.

Nothile Consulting offers mentorship to small businesses, enabling them to operate formally and franchise. Through the company I mentor township businesses and have established the Township Economic Transformation Initiative.

How has the business ecosystem been over the past few years?

The business is thriving in its 11th year, with past efforts now yielding significant results. The company is mentoring more entrepreneurs, positively impacting their compliance, which in turn helps them access funding and new markets, leading to business growth. In just the past six months, the mentored businesses have created over 83 jobs and achieved a 25% increase in turnover. As a result, the business itself is also growing, attracting new corporate clients and expanding into various industries, notably the farming sector.

You have introduced new offerings to your portfolio, can you elaborate on the latest?

Due to our diversified portfolio, the company has experienced significant growth, becoming one of the fastest-growing businesses in Africa and even globally. Since the relaunch of Perfume Co Africa's Affiliate Marketing in May 2024, the number of distributors surged from over 1,000 to more than 7,000 within three months.

We have created over 40 permanent jobs in Gauteng and Mpumalanga and now we manufacture our own products at a newly opened plant in Secunda, utilizing local youth from Mbalenhle and surrounding areas. We began distributing oil-based perfumes under the brand Afrika in 2021, and now we have expanded since relaunching in May 2024.

Due to manufacturing in-house we’ve also seen growth that has led to increased distribution network from over 1,000 to more than 7,500 in just three months. The company has also expanded its reach to other African countries like Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. We are experiencing high demand, prompting two work shifts and continuous system upgrades to manage operations.

A significant portion (about 70%) of new hires are first-time employees, mainly from the youth demographic, highlighting the company's commitment to job creation and growth in Africa.

What can you say has been the highlight of the year so far?

The Perfume Co. business has significantly impacted women, with over 96% of its customers being women who have lost jobs, single parents, or faced difficult times in their lives.

The business offers a duplicated website, advertising, and pre-ordering services, allowing clients to pre-order and purchase stock. Some participants take a leap of faith with a Sassa grant to start the business, earning commissions from affiliate marketing programs.

The business has also trained women in selling and has been a highlight for the founder. The community is excited about the business, and the founder is happy to see the impact it is having on other women. The business has also created a WhatsApp group for community engagement and prayer.

What are some of the challenges you’ve experienced with this new venture and as you navigate multiple streams of income?

The business has been facing numerous challenges, including suppliers meeting demands, training new team members, and system errors. Limited water and supply issues have affected production and distribution. Other challenges include load shading, cable theft, and internet access issues.

The company prints about 400 invoices daily, which can cause delays in stock orders and commitments to clients. The company also relies on technology, which has led to rescheduling of sessions and rescheduling of schedules. To cope with these challenges, the business has introduced night shifts and worked long hours, ensuring they can manage and cope with the daily challenges.

Advice for young women who are in business?

Business is not easy, but it is possible for businesses to grow beyond even the wildest dreams. As young women, it is important to not limit our dreams and to dream big enough to scare us. Any business, whether in farming, engineering, or science, is possible for women. To succeed, find a supportive community, find a mentor, and put in the work.

Focus on unlocking opportunities beyond financial gain, mental stability, and fulfillment. Even in growing businesses, challenges are not personal. Connect spiritually through prayer and meditation, as women have the power to empower others. Their purpose in business is even bigger than just running a business.

What can you say has been your notable achievements recently? We have been nominated and we've accepted the honorary award as a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society. It's an international organisation that recognises excellence exemplified in academic achievement, leadership skills and community involvement. And it's been running for 46 years around the world in different countries.

You always have an ace up your sleeve, do you have any big plans for the future?

We have plans to open an office in Mauritius to facilitate trade in other countries, overcoming challenges in navigating rules and regulations. The goal is to support the South African base and improve operations. We are excited about launching a Mauritius office by 2025, as it will enable expansion to Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria. This move will help the company create more jobs and expand its reach beyond South Africa. The team is looking forward to achieving this goal.

Credits: Photographer: S Brazier Photography

Makeup and hair artist: Isabel Makeup & Styling

Retouching: Siobhan Brazier