Serial entrepreneur, Dorah Olatoyinbo is one of the hardworking women making strides in the demanding industry that requires passion and motivation.
Starting her journey in 2009 together with her husband, Olatoyinbo wanted to be one of the major service providers in the tourism industry.
To-date she runs Dolar Lodges & Tours which provides accommodation as their core business, as well as event catering within Maun.
"We were inspired by the opportunity for citizens to play a part in the diversification of our economy, especially as a woman in the tourism industry and also to fill in the gap for citizen participation in the tourism industry as of then," she said.
The business got support and financing from the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency.
Narrating their journey, she said their first client, the Department of Customs and Exercise from Kasane, booked 10 rooms for a competition held in Maun when they first opened doors for business in 2009.
"I was so excited, but a bit apprehensive, because we were still starting out and settling in as newcomers in the industry. I was so naïve. That night was a blue litmus test for me, not fully organised as I would have loved, but happy at the same time, being full occupied in the first day was a sign of success and better things to come in the future. We did manage with my new staff. At the end of the day, the clients did understand and were happy, " she said
At the beginning of their operations, their clientele was mostly government departments and as time passed on, they got clients from other industries, mostly mining.
Olatoyinbo said they have managed to stay relevant in the industry, beating their competitors who are mostly well established brands by offering affordable and friendly service.
"We also have a very good advantage with an accessible and well-located roadside for our business site," she said
However, Dolar Lodge faces some stiff competition in terms of pricing noting that some local customers want to have prices reduced without considering the lodge standards while some sneak away without paying.
Touching on their future prospects she said they want to expand and open other branches in other parts of the country, especially Ghantsi and Kasane. They also want to diversify into other areas of business, like farming, to complement the efforts of the government in sustainable developments to further diversify the economy in the area of food production to feed the nation.
"We are also looking into real estate and property development too," she said.
