#WIB-Q&A With Masego Khutsoane Founder Of ProcureMentor

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

A. My company name is ProcureMentor, a multifaceted company that helps companies leverage and optimise their buying power so that they can reduce costs and increase revenue. Procurementor offers the following services:

Procurement mentoring services,
Webinars to table up-to-date issues for C-suite executives and how Procurement as a function can provide tangible solutions,
Coach businesses on business plans, bids preparations, and business processes to improve, elevate or position their companies competitively,
Training and development through masterclasses
Speaking engagements – event speaker, panel member, Keynote speaker, and an MC
Advisory role on procurement processes, due diligence, bid assistance, and unique tailored services.

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

A. In 2015, armed with a number of corporate successes in my pocket, I took a leap of faith and started my own strategic sourcing and procurement consulting business, it was named Black Lining then. It was born out of a need to advocate for women in procurement, acknowledge the role they play, and to advance their occupancy in positions of power and authority.

Black Lining has since transitioned to Procurementor, in 2019. To allow for the diverse service offering and remain relevant in the industry. I had just relocated from Cape Town and it seemed like a good idea at the time.

3. What is your role in the business?

A. I am the founder (started the business) and CEO (Execute, run and plan for the business).

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

A. I studied Information Management at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, for my undergrad. I then studied for my honours in Strategic Management at the then RAU (Now UJ). I am left with my dissertation after passing all coursework for the MBA with TUT.

5. How did you finance your business?

A. From my own pocket 😊. Currently, I am looking for investors and sponsors for the webinars, the mentorship programme, and business collaboration possibilities.

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

A. The day will depend on whether I have meetings or not. Typically, I attend to emails, finalise any work/projects that I am working on. I then break around 1 to pick up kids from school, have lunch and resume from 3 pm. Late afternoons and evenings are for personal and professional development.

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

A. I try not to work on weekends, as much as I can. I organise myself through quarterly plans, which I then manage monthly. Then I break them up into a weekly schedule. I thrive in an organised home, which is flexible but has structure. I divide my time to attend to prioritised matters.

In corporate situations I am also mindful of how I impact everyone around me, which is key, if something is not working, I tend to want to address it rather than pretend it does not exist. I have also learned to communicate my wants and needs, I make no assumptions.

Honestly, hubby really steps in to help with this structure, and that certainly allows me to be present in situations. Having a solid support structure is key.

8. What drives you and inspires you?

A. I am driven by excellence, the audacity to strive to be the best, and the possibility of a dream coming to life.

I am inspired by anyone who is determined to achieve, to succeed. I am also inspired by my kids, they are not perturbed by much, they are focused and have faith that pushes me closer to God. My husband has taught me much about being patient.

Overall, I want to leave a lasting legacy through transferring skills and establishing networks that will make it easy for young professionals to have access to established professionals through the mentorship programs, Procurementor is bringing.

Ultimately, I want a life that I do not have to escape from! This informs who I invest my time with, where I invest my time, and how I invest it.

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

A. When I am praying 😊, at night mostly as I am a night owl.

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

A. I use social media for marketing and advertising. This has proven beneficial (and cost effective) as my business has had leads from social media pages, especially Linkedin.

11. What is next for your business?

A. ProcureMentor’s flagship mentorship program is starting in April and we are excited about this journey. The program will run for 12 weeks, and it is only taking 20 applicants (SMME owners and procurement professionals are encouraged to apply). We will have 5 guest mentors talking about negotiation skills, coaching to success, building a brand, the art of procurement, and many more topics.

We also have two webinars planned for the second quarter of the year. Follow us on social media for more information.

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

Just start, you will never be 100% ready.
Do not try to emulate anyone, be yourself from the get-go.
Be clear about the brand that is you! Have a clear strategy of how to separate your brand from that of your company. You want the business to outlive you/thrive without you at some point.
Be responsible and accountable to yourself, this creates authority and generates power.
Get yourself a coach/mentor or a support structure that will push you to be a better version of yourself, be accountable to, and assist in navigating/carving a defined growth path. Winners get coaches.
Be responsible, reliable, and consistent. Master your craft, dominate your gift. No one can deny someone who is good at their craft, they might not like you, but they will not ignore you.
Know your worth by investing in yourself consciously and consistently through personal and professional development programmes. This will empower you to negotiate your position and rates when you start your company.
Build a network that pushes you to focus and be better., The saying that goes “Your network equals your net worth” is absolutely true. The world’s best-kept secret, sometimes it is really not what you know that will help you, but who you know. that is how you get to be known and have business referred to you.

Short Bio:

Masego specialises in providing sustainable and innovative strategic sourcing and procurement solutions to SMME’s and Corporates. Using various methodologies, Masego works with C-level executives and Small business owners to draft and implement transformational strategies that have a positive impact on the bottom line and drive continuous process improvement.

With 20 years experience, Masego has been able to adapt, influence, and drive interest in the Sourcing, Procurement, and Business development industry. She is often invited to share her thoughts and insights at conferences, small groups, and media platforms, where she delivers research-based, real-world thought leadership to inspire change, influence, and impact her audience.

Contact details:

Call: +27 82 853 7800

Profile: www.about.me/masegokhutsoane

Social media links:

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/masego-khutsoane-42088241/

Instagram – @procurementor

Twitter – @procurementorza