In a world where catering prices rise faster than the cost of living, Nonhlanhla Cleopatra Shaama saw more than a business opportunity; she saw a responsibility. Based in Windhoek, she founded NNC Culinary Catering CC in September 2024 with one clear belief: premium quality should not be reserved for the wealthy. Her mission is to provide high-quality meals at prices that everyday Namibians can afford.

Her journey did not begin with instant success. For an entire year, she had no customers, no orders, and no bookings. She describes the early days as a shipwreck. Yet through the silence and uncertainty, she held onto her belief and chose to keep going, trusting that persistence would eventually pay off.

NNC Culinary Catering has since grown beyond traditional catering. From homemade granola to Tuesday burrito bowls and weekend family meal packages, the business now offers flexible options designed for ordinary households. Her first milestone of N$5,000 in a month was a powerful reminder that even small wins matter.

The greatest challenge has not been starting, but growing in a competitive market filled with established caterers. Entrepreneurship has taught her resilience to pick herself up after setbacks and understand that not every disappointment is permanent. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: when you start, don’t stop. A pause should never become permanent.

She describes her journey as a rollercoaster, but one that is always moving forward. With consistent visibility, authentic engagement, and a clear mission, Nonhlanhla continues to build her brand step by step. Growth takes time, resilience builds strength, and every milestone is worth celebrating.

Every SME has a story; and for Fanuel N. Kaandangala, that story is built on patience, ethics, and persistence.

Founded in November 2022, Factual Electrical & Technical Solutions CC is a Windhoek-based business specializing in solar equipment installation and maintenance. Like many entrepreneurs, Fanuel’s journey didn’t begin with instant trust or easy wins. The early days were tough, with customers hesitant to believe in a new and unknown business.

Fanuel reached his first revenue milestone at N$6,000, marking a turning point that reinforced the value of consistency and quality service over quick profits. Instead of relying on loans, he focused on building strong relationships, improving his skills, and understanding the market. This he did even when growth felt slow.

One of the most unexpected lessons he says entrepreneurship taught him was the importance of trust. He realized that professionalism, honest communication, and visible credibility play a critical role in how a business is perceived. Today, he invests intentionally in marketing and presentation so that customers can clearly see the values behind his work.

For Fanuel, success isn’t measured only in revenue, but in feedback. Completing projects without negative reviews remains one of his proudest moments, proof that quality speaks louder than promises.

His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs in Namibia is simple but powerful:

“Business is not about money first. It’s about ethics and where there are ethics, money follows.”

Describing his journey in one word, Fanuel chooses patience. And his motivation remains steady: challenges are not a stop sign, but a reminder that nothing worthwhile comes easy.

“We light the community.”