Entreprenuer at the helm of glamorous events
Afrika Magazine contributor held an exclusive interview with Juliet Seviria Badzarigere Sala an entrepreneur based in South Africa.
SS: Thanks for agreeing to share your story with us. Please share what businesses you run and when you started.
JS: Its my pleasure!
I run an Events and Wedding Planning Company called Events of Elegance and a Restaurant called Spice Eat up in a suburb called Kensington in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. I started the business in 2013 working from home.
The Events and Wedding Planning Company focuses on Decor, Catering, Cakes for all occassions, Videography & Photography, the provision of DJs, Choreographers, Make -Up artists and Traditional dancers.
SS: What’s your why? Why do you wake up in the morning?
JS: As an entrepreneur I wakeup everyday with a clear vision of the future and with that vision I strive to build something entirely new and unique bringing my clients one step closer to the reality and dreams they want to experience and envisage. The vision is to inspire others, giving meaning not only to myself but also those who follow me. However, In pursuit of my vision I always follow one basic principle and that is to be realistic. Considering my many roles in life as a professional,
Partner, parent, community leader, friend and sibling, I have to think of the many areas where l divide my time.
The greatest leaders understand the value of saying “no” because it is virtually impossible to do too many things well at the same time, that is why I am disciplined and strict when it comes to balancing between my professional and personal life and each day I wake up with the realisation of the potential God has put in me.
SS: What motto do you live by?
JS: Never compromise!! On standards, quality, or anything be it in my business or personal capacity. I strive to provide the best quality and products to the best of my ability, avail my time where and when I can and where I cannot, I am honest with all parties involved.
I therefore describe my products and services as “Great ships” and ensure that these ships we build meet out client’s needs. In that, I am motivated by C.P Huntington who was elected to build a ship in 1986 to serve world’s biggest habour, and wad determined that it should be known across the world for the quality of products. He said, “ We shall build good ships here. At a profit if we can, at a loss if we may BUT always good ships!!
SS: How hard was it to permeate the SA market and have all partnerships with TV programs.*
JS: The biggest challenge in permeating the south African market for us throughout our journey has been to offer appealing products and services and to stay attractive to both families with low incomes as well as high-end income earners.
Twenty years after the end of apartheid, the disparities in wealth in South Africa are still visible and significant and the fractured market represents a particular challenge for foreign businesses seeking to succeed.
Different people, different products
With a population of approximately 49 million, speaking 11 different languages and with a sharp history of division, appealing to a cross-section of South Africans is no easy task.
Having said that however, overally the number of opportunities to us seem to outweigh the setbacks and this has been our drive throughout.
South Africa has one of the biggest economies in Africa and is by far a huge springboard into the rest of the continent when it comes to business and entrepreneurship. Winning in the country is a big prize for us who are looking for growth in emerging markets, with potential for big increases in consumer demand in the coming decades.
The trick has been to study and know our customers. Though having a diverse population isn’t something unique to South Africa, particluarly in Johannesburg where we are based. The pallet of different tastes and trends here prompted us to conduct a lot of research into the needs of all those different South African consumers and we are always looking for better ways to service our diverse customer base.
When it comes to partnering with TV programs, it has been mostly though divine appointments and I am grategul to God. I’ve had friends inform me of TV programs looking for business owners in my industry and I would have to reach out to the TV presenters or coordinators, I’ve had some TV personalities ” head hunt” me and I’ve met some in the most unexpected places and ways. One exceptional encounter was when I met a Hotel security guard who later turned out to be a motivational speaker, Author, Actor and Presenter.
SS: Who is your role model?
JS: Myself!! Yes, I look up to “ME” everyday. There can only be one me. No one else can do what I can do or replace me even when I am gone. I am a Masterpiece. I don’t believe in impersonating others. In focusing on myself, my dreams and aspirations, I motivate and encourage myself to be the best person, the best events planner and above all to be unique. The Events industry is very versatile and now evolves faster than it used to. We cannot keep up with all the Events trends sprouting up like mushrooms in rainy season and before you know it they are gone and new ones come in. Therefore, I focus on the brand that is me. I pick and choose what I want to be identified by and work on perfecting that brand so that when my clients or customers see or come across my work they can easily identify my work as mine and not as someone else’s. Don’t get me wrong. I see great Events Planners around me who inspire a lot that where it ends – in being inspired! I focus on building my own brand and identity by choosing to be different. I constantly mould myself and business into that model I envisage for the future. The problem arises when we “copy” other people’s work or steal our competitors ideas and so on. In that perspective I strive to be me, focus on myself and what I am building and so that I remain “Exclusively Elegant”. I walk my path!
SS: Your greatest achievements to date
JS: Establishing an Events and Wedding Planning business from scratch
and Finally seeing my dream to run a restaurant being fulfilled in 2019. I am not where I want to be but I am happy with the progress. God has been good to me. As Joyce Meyer once say, “ I may not be where I want to be, but thank God, I am not where I used to be.”
SS: Any plans for the future!
JS: Thats a topic for another day. Walls have ears and shoes have tongues. I have great plans for the future once they are established, you will see me here again. For now we grind in prayer!!
SS: Last words for any upcoming entrepreneurs?
JS: Do not aspire to be anyone else, aspire to be the best that you can be in everything you do. Everyday work on yourself based on what you want to achieve, set goals, work hard and as long as you have breathe in your lungs never give up!!
Lastly, God asked Moses, ” What do you have in Your hand?”
I’ll leave upcoming entrepreneurs with the same question. Start right where you are with whatever you have in Your hand. If you have no idea what to do with it, go down on your knees and pray. God will surely answer! Pray!!
SS: Thank you for your time Juliet.
Impressive and inspiring story.
Whaal inspired by this lady. Great works..who ever strives succeeds, you will definately eat the fruits of the land. Absolutely interesting how you get where you are.
This is so inspiring and motivating you have given hope to any african man or woman who is striving to do the best keep going girl
Wow…I just checked..Great and insightful interview..I also see that you have mentioned me there..I am humbled..I nearly cried when I saw you talking about me..I am grateful that I met you.As you will always say. “It was a divine appointment.”. Keep on soaring and making impact on your venture…Me and family loves you so much and pray for you..
Congratulations to you Julie and your team. We really love your cakes and the food you offer. May God bless you on your journey.
Well done Juliet. It’s been a pleasure interacting with you and seeing you grow to a great entrepreneur. Keep souring girl
Congrats!!! Juliet. Since I have known you, you always strive for the best. You a perfectionist, Great entrepreneur that i will always support. Keep it up with the great work. You will do Catering for my wedding. And i believe i am going to get the delicious Cake!!
nilay.patel.d@gmail.com congrats
Love this. Very motivational and inspiring. Love the cakes done by Events of Elegance. They are so beautiful and well worth it.
What a word of encouragement
So inspiring!!
What do l have in my hand🤔
-Lesson never kiss and tell cause walls have ears and shoes have tongues
-motivated to be self inspired 👏👏
Interesting build up from a determined and hardworking woman! Greatly inspiring…
Great job , so inspiring your work is superb i love it !
@juliet, your work is simply elegant, professional, and precise keep it up, you truly an inspiration.
Well done Julie. Keep up the good work and be the inspiration of the young generation. God be with you 🤲🤲🙏🙏.
Absolutely inspiring 🙌🏼 Seviria gives me so much hope. Such a role model for entrepreneurial females of colour.
Surely God uses what we have to bless us… this is so inspiring indeed😍
Congratulations, you are such an inspiration to all of us. I am motivated to start with whatever I have where I am.
Well done Julie. You are inspiration to us. Be blessed.
This lady is truly someone special. Congrats dear. You always inspire me and I am always impressed with the excellent service and beauty of it all. Every function truly represents you.
From the first moment I met you, you have just excelled. Keep it up! You go girl!
You never seize to amaze me sis Julie…from the time I met you to date.You’re what Proverbs 31 talks about Phenomal Women!…I’m truly inspired by your hard smart work .Epitome of Elegance 🙌👌
Well done Juliet, keep up the good work. Hard work pays. You and your team did a wonderful job for me. I’ll pass on referrals for you .All the best with the business.
Congrats Jules, lm motivated, you’re indeed a harworker.May. May God continue guiding you.
Woow this is great😘😍👌❤️. You are truly an inspiration💯👌🙏
Impressive and very inspiring 👏👏
Well done Juliet❤️🤲🏾 you’re amazing…. thanks for the special cake you made for us🤲🏾❤️
Very inspiring journey keep up the good work !You go gaI
Well done Julie, you are oir star,continue shining brighter and brighter. Wishing you a very prosperous and continually winning and glorius future.
Wow well done my luv, we give glory and honor to the Almighty it can only be God. I’m inspired and I’m proud of you. All the best. Keep up the good work.
Awesome, well done Juie, very encouraging, keep pushing boundaries
Congratulations keep the fire and passion burning of the great work Julie
Yes indeed, An Entreprenuer at the helm of glamorous events. Good Work
Very inspirational indeed. I’ll definitely grab a lot of ideas from this interview. Bless you Juliet!
So Inspiring!! An amazing example and woman of God! Well done, Seviria 🙂 You deserve it!
Congratulations! This is so inspiring. Well done Seviria. I’m so proud of you.
Great inspiration Julie. Soar high
Wow, welldone Sis Julie what a motivation…Start where you are,with what you have in your hand…I am inspired ❤
Keep flying high Julie, keep up the hard work, God will continue to Bless you and take you furthest
keep up the gud work little cc……encourage u to be a great helmsman and bellwether to your business
The sky is the limit Julie.keep on pushing and never stop…
WOW , this is really inspiring as I was about to give up….I thank God for having you in my life, continue doing the great work you doing.
An inspiring entrepreneurial journey leaves us in awe at the wonders of women in business and making it .Weldone Julie such a breathe of business ethics .
Very powerful and inspiring
It brings joy to my heart knowing you from primary school ,you have pushed yourself to the top and you have inspired me and many other woman you have proven all odds are defeated,Im hopeful of the future keep shining girl.
Congratulations Julie!!!!!! I can surely attest that Juliet is a dynamite⚡⚡. Whatever she lays her hands on succeeds. She is one woman who has an entrepreneurial drive that is unmatch. That said, this is only the beginning for her as yet is more to come. Keep shining Girl. 🌟🌟🌟🌟😊
WoW and WoW I learnt a lot my from this interview. Impressive and determined. This is amazing and I love how you just talk about God and prayer
Congrats Julie… am so proud of your achievements…. keep making us proud and encouraging us to grow in business.🙏🙏
So impressed mainini,keep it up
Congratulations sister Julie, you are a true inspiration and the definition of a power house. Shine brighter and fly higher. 💯❤️
So inspiring. congratulations Juliet. It’s amazing to see you blossom….
Woow. Thank you Jesus Christ. Keep up the good work Julie. Love your work ethic. Psalm 2:8.
this is inspiring Julie
🥳🥳🎉🎉 u truly going places mummy..well done
A hard working lady like u deserve all the best. Thank you for inspiring me always ❤️❤️
Very inspiring. Well done and keep shining 🌟
Wooow ❤️ you’re amazing
Behind your successful is a tribes of other successful woman, you’re amazing Young woman
You have been assigned this mountain to show others it can be moved
Am proud of you sisters ❤️😇
This is a wonderful article and a great way of spreading good business news and powerful woman. Amazing
This is so inspiring,welldone Julie,keep up the hard work and God bless you and take you furthest. I am proud of you mama😍
You have creativity and determination to do whatever you can dream. Keep it up my dear.
A great inspiration for women worldwide. Keep soaring Julie, young girls are in safe hands with women of your caliber in our midst!!
Such a hard worker. Good job Juliet, very proud of you!
Superwoman keep on shining as a star as you are a diamond
Very inspirational, thank you for sharing your beautiful story Juliet. Keep up the good work.
Congratulations Julie you are atrue inspiriration upon our lives.May the Lord continue with His great works upon you.
Thank you for sharing. Very motivating and enlightening. Good work, keep it up
What a motivating Story, you give us Strength to keep going through thi k and thin keep going u inspire a lot of us. You are one hard working lady tgat i know
Well done Julie and am excited for your future. Thank you Julie for the skills you have taught me and encouragement. Indeed your work is elegant and your restaurant serves yummy food. You are selfless. May God continue to bless you. Shine hun
Well done sis. 💞
Congrats girl proud of you ♥️
You never seize to amaze me sis Julie…from the time I met you to date.You’re what Proverbs 31 talks about Phenomal Women!…I’m truly inspired by your hard smart work .Epitome of Elegance 🙌👌
Wooooow nothing makes me happy like seeing you shinning like this, you made our wedding day so special with your decor, keep up the excellent work you do…….
Wow congrats sisi, this is so inspiring, keep pushing and keep up the good work, God bless your hustle
I’m inspired
That’s so lovely Julie,it’s quite amazing how u do these things,keep it up dear sister
Congratulations for this amazing success to you Juliet, you’ve turned your dreams into reality. You are one of the ladies i know that don’t believe in failure, keep it up my sister ✊
Congrats cuzzy well done
You such an inspiration and with all you have achieved you still remain humble
Truly inspiring , a True woman of God you are Juliet .You have made good use of every opportunity .This is the beginning, the best is yet to come .Blessings
Welldone Julie. Business women par excellence. What an inspiration
Amazing work .
Well done and keep it up😍😍😍
Most resilient, passionate about what they do person i know. Stubborn in midst of it too. Very difficult to change her mindset . Keep the light on and never allow any1 to turn it off. Well done dear.