In the words of Makgabo Moremi: Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship

Makgabo has expanded her products from just product to 6 since starting the EntreprenHer trainings in 2021. Photo courtesy of UN Women/Ernest Rakgole.

“The training was a turning point for me. I realized that my initial approach was missing key elements of business management and strategy.”

I’m Makgabo Moremi, a 34-year-old entrepreneur from Inveraan in Blouberg, Limpopo.  My entrepreneurial journey business started with a love for chemicals, a passion I had since high school. After spending nine years in banking, I decided to leave my corporate job and follow my dream of starting my own business.

In 2017, I officially registered my company, BCF Chemical and Cleaning Services initially as a reseller of various products. However, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that I began manufacturing hand sanitisers, which marked my first step into the world of production. As the pandemic eased, I expanded into other products like dishwashing liquid and detergents. 

In 2021, I joined the Generate Your Business (GYB) training, hoping to refine my business skills as I realised even though I knew much about chemicals, I lacked formal business training. The training was a turning point for me. I realised that my initial approach was missing key elements of business management and strategy. I learned how to construct a proper business plan, conduct thorough market research, and understand financial management. It was enlightening to see how these skills could dramatically impact my business.

One of the most significant lessons was learning to pitch my business effectively. This skill allowed me to present my business to investors and avoid the pitfalls of premature scaling. The training also helped me understand the importance of focusing on the right markets and avoiding the temptation to spread myself too thin.

Since then, BCF Chemical and Cleaning Services has experienced remarkable growth. I moved from operating out of my garage to renting a store and expanded my product line from sanitisers to six different products, including dishwashing liquid and car wash products. I even secured funding twice, which has been crucial for my business development.

The training has also had a profound impact on my personal life. I’ve improved my time management skills, which is crucial as a mother running a business. It has also helped me guide my family in better financial management, and my siblings are now more motivated to pursue their own goals.

Currently, I employ a small team and am working to stabilise and grow my business further. I envision BCF Chemical and Cleaning Services expanding into a fully-fledged plant with warehouses in different provinces nationally and even internationally. I want to see our products on retail shelves and continue creating job opportunities for locals.

My ultimate goal is to use my success to empower others. I’m a proud chairperson and founder of Blouberg Entrepreneurs, an organisation dedicated to supporting and empowering local entrepreneurs. I usually share the skills I learn from the trainings I take part in with the group members. We regularly organise business management trainings, exhibitions, and pitch competitions. Our organisation has grown from fewer than 100 members when I started with EntreprenHer trainings, to nearly 400 now.

About EntreprenHER
EntreprenHER is a UN Women programme that was originally launched as AWOME (Accelerating Women-Owned Micro-Enterprises) in 2017 and is funded by De Beers Group. The programme supports women micro-entrepreneurs in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa and has reached approximately 3,500 women to date. By providing training, mentorship, and access to markets, EntreprenHER empowers women to grow, formalise, and sustain their businesses. Learn more about the De Beers x UN Women EntreprenHER programme here: https://www.debeersgroup.com/about-us/case-studies/2025/entreprenher

About UN Women:
UN Women is the global champion for gender equality, working to develop and uphold standards and create an environment in which every woman and girl can exercise her human rights and live up to her full potential. We are trusted partners for advocates and decision-makers from all walks of life and a leader in the effort to achieve gender equality. Learn more about the impact of De Beers’ partnership with UN Women’s HeForShe initiative here: https://www.heforshe.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/HeForShe_Impact_Report_2025.pdf