#WIB-Q&A With Thandekile Ndlovu Founding Director of Iyana Consultants

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

A. Iyana Consultants specializes in tailor-made human resource and talent management services for start-ups to help them be compliant with Labour Law. We are proficient in Human Resource policy documents, and HR management consultations, ranging from contracts, leave documents, payslips, and advice in cases of misconduct and grievances.

Iyana also assesses existing documents for clients to ensure compliance with legislation and recommends re-modelling if required.

Iyana’s current project is the Graduate programme where we offer CV writing and revamping for a better standing out resume and better chances for employment.

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

A. Iyana Consultants was founded in 2020, after a self-realisation and help from and a friend and mentor that I should give more to myself and my future. Iyana is the name of my future child so this empire is being built for the generation after me.

3. What is your role in the business?

A. I am responsible for the day to day running of the company and finding new business.

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

A. My highest qualification is a BCOM honours in Human resource management with the University of Kwazulu Natal. Currently doing a short course in Facilitation and Assessor so to enhance my qualities in Human resource training and development. My future studies will include something that incorporates IT and Human resource management, and Risk management.

5. How did you finance your business?

A. I literally had no funding to start and because of my impatient character couldn’t wait to get my ducks in a row so l jumped straight into it used the little resources I had around me.

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

A. My average workday starts around 6.30 with meditation and prayer then reading the news / an article on Google news. Then I go off to work. I am currently working for a private company as an intern so to pay the bills. I use the 7 pm to 2 am strategy suggested by entrepreneur coach Gary Vaynerchuk to work on Iyana in the evening from around 6.30 pm to 10 pm. Honestly, it’s draining so when I have enough savings the plan is for me to concentrate full time on Iyana and my personal projects.

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

A. This is a tricky question for me. Depends on what one defines as “home” I do make time for my personal activities and my relationships especially ones that help me grow and give me zen. I work about 12 – 15 hours of my day depending on a deadline and I fit and balance other activities by dividing my time playing on my strengths, for example, I do my work during my productive hours, meditate when I start my day, watch an episode of my favourite series whilst cooking and eating my dinner. And I try to rest on Sundays.

8. What drives you and inspires you?

A. Family, Love and the Future. I am a very optimistic person about my future.

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

A. At home that’s my safe space. I literally stay two mins away from the river, the environment and water sounds keeps my creative juices flowing.

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

A. I usually use social media marketing on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Linked-in targeting groups that would need my services.

11. What is next for your business?

A. I have a great passion for teaching and self-development, with the right skills and funding I would love to open a solitude resource centre that can be used for meditation self-evaluations and training and development.

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

A. Be positive. Be a risk-taker, it might work out. Make money with what you are passionate about so you are never miserable. Surround yourself with people that can mentor, advise and make you grow. Make the right choice of a partner, for support.

Short bio

Thandekile Ndlovu is the Founding Director of Iyana consultants. She is a strong advocate for human rights and creation of safe spaces. Her passion is teaching, the power of what we learn and unlearn, economic empowerment, and managing diversity.