#WIB-Q&A With Prudence Ramotso Owner Of Prudent Shoes

1. Can you please tell us more about your business?

A. In my business we specialise in selling women’s stylish and trendy shoes, our designs are named after African females and the names are branded on the outsole of the shoes. Currently, we are operating as an online store. We offer high-quality shoes and give the best customer service.

2. When, how and why did you start your business?

A. I started the business in 2019 with no capital; I was operating with paid pre-orders and got the shoes from my supplier with customer’s monies. The reason I started is that firstly, I love shoes and I saw a big gap in South Africa whereby people love quality and comfortable shoes however, most of the brands that offer such are not south African brands, so I took it upon myself to put South Africa on the map by creating this brand and offer our people what they deserve with affordable prices.

3. What is your role in the business?

A. In the business my role is making lower-level business decisions (e.g., hiring of staff, arranging photo-shoots processing shoe orders, and arranging shoe deliveries to customers) and leading the development of the company’s short and long-term strategy. Creating and implementing the company’s vision and mission.

4. Where did you study and what did you study?

A. I studied Electrical infrastructure at Sedibeng College, Office practice, and sales at National computer college.

5. How did you finance your business?

A. I did not have capital, I used customer’s monies when they ordered shoes to finance the business.

6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.

A. Well, that does not exist in my life anymore, I work everywhere I am when business demands. On my average day, I go to the office in the morning do admin work and respond to queries, attend meetings and some days do photo shoots.

7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?

A. There is no home and work life for me, I work even when I am at home because I need to process orders and respond to queries everywhere I am.

8. What drives you and inspires you?

A. Changing lives and success motivates me, learning new things, and seeing growth.

9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?

A. I have my best ideas when I am around people and when I hear a challenging situation I use that as a platform to come up with solutions and be creative.

10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?

A. I market my business mostly on social media because of its ability to target specific groups of people using powerful data, it helps the business to connect with customers, increase awareness about my brand and boost my lead sales. We also market via emails by sending newsletters to new and old customers.

11. What is next for your business?

A. Big things are coming for PRUDENT, we are going to put PRUDENT out there to reach more customers and grow.

12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?

A. Start small and grow, understand your own strengths, and do what you are passionate about. You need to be resilient and focused, believe in yourself, and do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Short bio:

My name is Prudence Mapheello Ramotso Born and raised in Sebokeng. Founder and CEO of Prudent shoes that sells high-quality female trendy shoes. I realized my dream in 2008 and how much I love shoes, years later I made a good decision to put it into reality in 2019 with passion and a deep-rooted understanding of customer service that I gained over years of dealing with customers while I was working for different financial institutions. I envisioned a different brand that cares about customers. I am building my company on a commitment to compassion, ethics, and understanding of the customer in order to offer them the best possible products and services.