Anyone can make it in business - Krupavaram

ONALENNA KELEBEILE
Staff Writer | Monday May 13, 2013 00:00

 

This is the only recipe that prominent businesswoman Ruth Krupavaram has used for the past 31 years she has been a prominent businessperson in Selebi-Phikwe. Today she enjoys the rewards of her sweat with one of her businesses becoming a franchisee, albeit with challenges. Her advice is that any businessperson, including vendors, can make it provided commitment and extreme financial discipline is their mainstay.

Having started with only a small general dealer that she bought from somebody through the little savings she made as a teacher, Krupavaram now runs several businesses around town that have contributed immensely to the development of Selibi-Phikwe. Currently she employs about 230 people. 'Financial discipline comes with a lot of sacrifice. Do not spend on yourself because in business, every thebe counts. I achieved a lot because I also plough back to the Selebi-Phikwe community that has sustained me  thus far,' she says. She says with a small general dealer whose start-up loan took five years to clear, she opened shop every single day of the week because having quit her job she had to pay installments through proceeds received.

'As a woman I drove a truck from Johannesburg to Phikwe to bring stock and I did not feel any victimisation because I was dedicated,' she says. Krupavaram, who has since attained Botswana citizenship, came to Botswana in 1975 from India to teach at Mater Spei College, which she did up to 1981. Initially a domestic science teacher she did not have any idea that she would one day become a businesswoman.  After clearing the loan she slowly became independent and expanded the business to open a restaurant and takeaway. Due to lack of business in the mining town she later closed down the restaurant and opened Pioneer Bookshop, which is still running to date.In 1997 Krupavaram opened Grill Master, which is a Botswana franchise and later on bought Giavanos Pizzas and then Valentine Bottle stores. She later on added Bophelo Bakery to her business portfolio and then became a franchisee of Pick n Pay Supermarket three years later.

She says operating a business in Selebi-Phikwe is a challenge because at some point there was no considerable population to sustain such a venture, but now upcoming businesses duplicate what existing ones are already doing. 'Nonetheless I managed to aggressively double up and ventured into new businesses,' she adds.

She notes that one thing that most businesspeople disregard is that the customer is key and a friendly approach towards customers makes them feel  valuable and they come again. 'However always make sure that you give them quality and fresh products under a hygienic environment,' she adds. On the aspect of community social responsibility Krupavaram recently built a house for orphaned children in Botshabelo and she has in the past sponsored former President Festus Mogae and his entourage to a lunch during his visit to Selebi-Phikwe. She extended the same gesture to the current President on two occasions. She is also aspiring to introduce a pension fund and funeral benefits for her employees. On top of that Pick n Pay has been making donations to deserving members of the community.

Her opinion for the town is that it still has a bright future ahead therefore she does not anticipate relocating.'Phikwe is my home and I will stay here forever but I plead with authorities to consider opening an airport here. It is a well planned town though it is over traded and the cost of living is affordable here,' she says with a smile. Krupavaram is a reserved person who is hardly seen in social places but enjoys commanding an influence from behind the scenes.