​Qaqambile Mdledle
In the conclusion of Women, Gauteng Online spoke to a township businesswoman who is changing the face of the township economy by training young women and providing jobs for her community of Soweto.
Kenosi Radebe is the founder of Kenosis Beauty Institute which was established in 2016 in her grandmother's dining room. From a staff complement of three, the business has grown fifteen. The staff is 80 % female. The business has grown over the years to have a branch in Midrand.
What inspired you to establish Kenosis Beauty Institute?        
Kenosis Beauty Institute stems from my passion for makeup. From a young age, I loved the transformative power of makeup, not only the outward appearance but how it boosts one's confidence. I guess this is true of the saying "when you look good, you feel good". 
As this passion grew, I saw an opportunity to turn it into a profession that could help me transfer my skills and knowledge to other women from what I learnt as a qualified beautician. 
What is unique about your business?
As a business, we have always thrived on ensuring that we take our students from beginner to pro. This is especially because most women that come to us for training are freelance beauticians that want to expand their skill set and make extra income for their businesses. 
This means we put more emphasis on practical practice in class to bolster their skill and to make sure the students grasp the technique. This has helped our students to leave the classroom with so much more confidence in themselves, and the results are seen in the satisfaction of their clients. 
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you started?
The journey we have travelled so far as a company has been an exhilarating one, and looking back now, there isn't much that I would change. Simply because the challenges we faced have strengthened us and the mistakes we made have been lessons learnt. 
 How do you define success?
Success is going to bed every night knowing you did the best you could have done for that day.
Given an opportunity, would you mentor another woman?
That's a resounding YES! Mentorship has been the backbone of our business, it has always been our goal to see as many women as possible flourish in their careers and businesses in the beauty industry. Over the years we have helped and still do help our past students with opportunities to find work even as freelancers. 
Your business has grown over the years. What do you attribute this to?
Though having recently opened up a branch in Midrand, being born and bred in Soweto, the decision was rather a no-brainer for me. Soweto shaped me to be the woman that I have grown up to be. 
The women who groomed and natured me are all from this beautiful township. So when my time came to do the same it was more like a calling for me to give back to the community that made me.
What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning of your journey general as a female business owner and during COVID-19?
Women face a plethora of challenges daily. Things such as gender stereotypes, the prevalence of GBV in South Africa and other social issues make it difficult for women to showcase their strengths and capabilities. As an entrepreneur, I have had to work twice as much if not more than my male counterparts to be able to compete in business. 
The COVID-19 pandemic has tested my ability to withstand failure and defeat. Many times one has thought of throwing in the towel, especially with so much uncertainty as to when will things get back to normal. 
But giving up is not an option when you have a team that relies on you to stand and be strong. Giving up is not an option when there's a young girl from the dusty streets of Soweto who looks up to you as a role model. 
Giving up is not an option because if I fail as a young woman I would have not failed myself only, but many other women who draw strength from the strides we keep on making as a business.
What advice would you give to women who are trying to become entrepreneurs?
For all the women who aspire to venture into business, I would say go for it! But first, do your research, start small, come do training with Kenosis Beauty Institute (giggles) and grow as you learn the ropes of the industry.
For the woman who is currently employed (as I once was) and would like to venture into business, it is critical to first test your limits, because the business operates differently from the corporate world. Running your own business is way different than being a HOD or a manager, it is not about always being a "boss". It requires a lot of sacrifices, putting in long hours and going beyond the call of duty. ​