THE ENTREPRENARIAL JOURNEY

CorpChem Chemicals Business Premises

How it all began

I strongly believe that our decisions are more than often shaped by the circumstances we find ourselves in. This particular moment was no exception. Confronted with the prospect of a second divorce, I found myself uncertain about the future, yet resolute in my need to take action. It was time to pursue my passion as an entrepreneur.

I vividly remember a conversation with my youngest son one day, as we sat together on the kitchen steps, discussing the bleak reality before us. His advice was straightforward: I should go out and find a job. It was a moment that felt like hitting rock bottom.

I would like to go back to my childhood days. I believe that my life was really shaped by those experiences. That the stage was set that my decisions were influenced by a resilient and confident woman. My story will be written in parts. It will not be a detailed version of the events I believe had a played a pivotal role in shaping my character and my outlook as an individual, as a mom, as a daughter, as a friend, as an entrepreneur.

.

Reflecting on a childhood memory, I delve into what could have been my inaugural race experience at a tender age of around 6 during a school event. The vivid recollection brings back the mix of excitement and nerves that filled me as a young participant. Despite not fully grasping the race instructions, the setup involved contestants facing vertically placed oranges, each with a basket at the starting point. The task was to run to the first orange, collect it, return to the base, drop it in the basket, and repeat the process for each orange until all were gathered. The final challenge was to carry the basket of oranges to the finish line. In my youthful enthusiasm, I approached the task uniquely. Instead of following the conventional method, I gathered all the oranges at once, believing I had found a clever shortcut to victory. To my dismay, my innovative approach led to disqualification, much to my surprise and disappointment.

This memory has lingered in my thoughts over the years, highlighting a moment where my unconventional thinking shone through, even at a young age. It serves as a reminder of the untapped potential and creativity that existed within me, unnoticed by others at that time.

From a young age, I had a strong desire to break free from the norm and forge my own path in life. As I grew older, my aspirations expanded beyond simply growing up, and I began to dream of a life filled with adventure and exploration. I wondered how I could achieve success and financial stability, and my mind wandered to various possibilities such as baking, cooking, or creating something. At that time, the options seemed limited, but I was determined to find a way to make my dreams a reality.

However, my childhood was overshadowed by a dark reality within my home, where I endured a harrowing ordeal of sexual, physical, mental, and emotional abuse. This environment gradually eroded my self-confidence, dimming the spark of creativity and confidence that once defined me. As I navigated through survival mode, the trauma I faced at home created a vulnerability that lingered for years, eventually leading to the traumatic experience of sexual molestation.

The weight of guilt and the desire to shield my mother from the painful truth prevented me from disclosing the abuse I suffered at the hands of someone entrusted to care for us in her absence. One of her and my stepdad’s entrusted friends. This burden remained unspoken, even as my mother passed away, leaving me to grapple with the silence and the scars of my past.

I carried the invisible wounds of emotional abuse and violation with me for a long time. I realised that I carried it into each day and night, every minute of each day. Into every moment of my life, marriage and being a mom.

My outlook went through phases.