#WIB – Q&A With Thandeka Mngomezulu MD Of TSFM
1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
Total Serve Facilities Management (TSFM) is an Integrated Facilities Management company in the Built Environment and Property Sector. TSFM offers professional services in both the private and public sector and in various industries. The professional services which we provide in Facilities Management is one that can be described as holistic, as we have a footprint in all facets of FM, from the soft and technical, touching in asset management, consulting and skills development and training. We pride ourselves in offering customised solutions to all our clients, tailored to their specifications whilst ensuring we deliver excellent service.
2. When, how and why did you start your business?
I had been very curious about alleviating poverty and creating employment. As an accountant I felt that the profession I was in was very limiting and I could not grow any further, even in private practice, it was very difficult to grow the human capital turnover. Starting TSFM was an opportunity and a challenge for me to follow my passion which is creating a sustainable environment while also assisting in the empowerment and growth of communities.
3. What is your role in the business?
The role in the business has been and is one that is the managing director. The title aside, it has been one of leading and ensuring there is growth and sustainability in the business. My role has been one of giving strategic direction and guidance and ensuring that the overall operations are going in the direction that is in alignment with the company vision and mission.
4. Where did you study and what did you study?
I started in the Finance space with my passion for numbers, I hold an Honours Degree in Commerce and Taxation and as well as diplomas in Project Management.
I have also obtained certificates through various learning institutions; to mention a few, GIBS (Entrepreneurship in the Green Economy – JP Morgan), UCT GSB (Property Development Program) and WITS (Facilities Management Program) and I am still studying further.
5. How did you finance your business?
My business was funded by me cashing out my provident fund from my previous employment. That enabled me to not only survive but to create a working and sustainable structure for my business.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
No two days are the same. One day can be filled with back-to-back meetings, and the next day you could be running around checking if all business operations are going as they should in all sites, whilst also tending to client and internal matters.
One can never truly plan for their day even though I still plan ahead, however, the Facilities space, everything happens so quickly with a short turnaround time which means that you are always thinking on your feet. Also, as a mother and a wife, I am expected to be fully present for those areas as well. So, I always have to have a balanced model to my day. So in short, there is no average day in my life.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
I don’t believe in balance, because you can never truly work out that equation and find the right formula to it. But one thing I’ve learnt, is that with each thing in your life, so long as you love it you will give it the necessary time, care and love and with that said, not without compromise.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
What drives me is seeing things that I create and nurture flourish to their full potential. Whether is a product or the people I impact. That gives me the outmost fulfilment.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
The best ideas, come at night. This is when I am also able to do the most work and I am also able to think clearly. I also believe I am surrounded by people who believe and support in my crazy ideas, which gives birth to newer and crazier ideas.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
I have been fortunate to not have been one to advertise my business. However, in part of building the brand, I have ensured that I build a brand that is credible through the work we deliver.
In that, it has been able to market itself through word of mouth with the credible work which have been able to deliver since inception and also ensuring that we remain complaint in all facets.
11. What is next for your business?
In the bigger spectrum, its growth and expansion and within the company organisation, its continuing to refine our processes and bringing about innovation. It is also seeing how we can continue to diversify ourselves and which other industries we can expand to and expand from whilst also being able to create opportunities and employment for many.
It is also about being Thought leaders in the space and the only way to also accomplish this, is through observing and analysing what is happening within the space around the world and seeing how things can be done and improved within our own continent and borders.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
My advice to female entrepreneurs is the following:
Build on something you are passionate about because the journey of being an entrepreneur is not an easy one and it’s also not something you can also just leave behind.
So, it is important to know why you started the journey because it is that passion that will sustain you when things get tougher.
Never stop learning and never stop finding ways to educate yourself. Being a sustainable entrepreneur has meant that for me. It is the continuous learning which I still have to put in and through each and every day, this also includes surrounding myself with various people different walks, backgrounds and spaces in life.
About Thandeka Mngomezulu: Managing Director:
Thandeka holds a BCom Finance Honors degree from the University of KwaZulu Natal in 2004, she also obtained a Diploma in Taxation, Project management and is currently a Professional Member of CIMA. Thandeka was also awarded a GIBS – JP Morgan Enterprise Development Certificate. She has also recently completed University of Witswatersrand – Facilities Management programme and also a Property Development Programme with University of Cape Town.
Through her 10 years of corporate experience in Accounting, Compliance and Governance she has worked with different structures and entities. In 2005 Thandeka began her working experience working with Impilo PPP Consortium on a 12-year commissioning project, R15bn at the 1ST Private Partnership Project in KZN at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital. She then moved on to being Financial Manager at a BioTech Innovation hub looking over a portfolio of R30mil per annum on Biotechnology Projects. Thandeka has also held executive positions at The Sharks Medical Company (Sports Medicine), Bay Union Financial Services (FS), Chep SA (FMCG).
Thandeka is also an Executive Director of Thasola Consulting (Finance and Compliance) and TotalServe (Facilities Management). Chairperson and 50% Shareholder of Durban Property Management. Through her passion for Youth Development and leadership, Thandeka is founding member of INK Foundation NPC, a non-profit which focuses on Development, Scholarships and addressing social ills of our underprivileged communities.
Passionate about the Environment, Thandeka was awarded a JP Morgan & GIBS Enterprise and Management Development Program scholarship on the Green Economy study. With this she has gained extensive knowledge on Sustainable Environments. Through this passion Thandeka is also a Founding Member of the Women in the Green Economy for a Sustainable Africa (WIGESA) where they have dialogue sessions through exposure, project sourcing, business development for women in the Green Economy sector (Renewables, Waste, Agriculture, Wind and Solar). Thandeka has also gained extensive knowledge in Facilities and Property Management sectors. She is a current member of SAFMA, SAPOA, Durban Chamber of Commerce.
Contact details:
KZN: 21 Park Ridge Avenue, Manors,
Pinetown
Durban
KZN 3610
GP: 3001 Parc Nicol,
100 William Nicol,
Bryanston 2162
Phone: +27 31 827 0982
Email: admin@totalserve.co.za
For more visit: www.totalserve.co.za