Novuyo Hlabangana is a 27-year-old woman born and raised in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe. She is the face behind Lucent Designs and has managed to fit in and thrive in the construction industry despite the challenges she has faced as a woman.
How did you establish your business?
I started while I was at school, before I even finished my civil engineering course. It started as an idea then getting clients made it grow.
Tell us about your organisation.
Company name: Lucent Designs
Est. date: 2017
My reason for starting the company was that it had been my wish to have a company of my own ever since I started doing civil engineering. Since I’m from Tsholotsho, I wanted to help my people by giving them the best of modern architectural designs. I wanted to be part of the growth and development of my community.
How did your background impact your road to success?
Challenges are meant to make us grow. No business starts from the ground and flourishes; it takes time.
Using the name Lucent Designs made it easier because usually people don’t know who I am. They just know the company. Even when engaging with clients, most of them refer to me as a he. They think I’m a male. I don’t know if it’s because of my drawings, or they still have the mentality that engineering is a man’s job. And some, when I tell them, “No, I’m a woman,” they don’t take me seriously. Some even go AWOL on me. It’s really a challenge if you are a lady. You would meet some who lie and promise you deals with the aim to use you.
What are the challenges you faced during your start-up?
Operating Lucent Designs hasn’t been easy. It is a growing company with still more to do. It’s not yet fully established. However, lately it has been growing clientele-wise. In the future, I’m hoping that it will keep on growing. Then I’ll be able to afford the equipment I need and be more on the ground.
What advice do you have for other women who want to start companies at a young age, especially in a male-dominated industry?
My message to other young girls who feel it’s impossible to break boundaries is that they should believe in themselves, keep the focus and be their own motivators. There’s nothing impossible if you fully put your mind to it. You need to be very wise, stay focused and excel. Reach your goals.
Also, to young girls from rural areas: having a dream is very important, even though not everyone gets the exposure they need. However, with discipline, hard work, perseverance and God’s grace, you can be whatever you want to be.
My company is still growing. I do advertise my business as much as I can. I also issue out business cards, even on social media. For me to manage to ride in this business, I’m always eager to learn.
Being from a rural background [can be a hinderance] in one’s career. Exposure is the main challenge. From a rural background with a small circle, it’s hard to be known in big cities. However good marketing does the work. Referrals help me a lot. This is because of good working relations.
Lucent Designs is providing our clients with modern, luxurious, affordable services. We do house plans, beam certificates, interior designs, BOQs, etc.
In this business, to get known takes time. Having a good circle is important. Having good contacts is important. But from a rural setup, it’s just having faith that one day, the sun will shine for me. And God hears prayers. I started with maybe one client for the whole month, maybe two. What I kept in mind is that Rome wasn’t built in a day.
The advice that I can give to young women is that they can be whatever they want to be. Background doesn’t determine one’s future. Focus, hard work, perseverance, discipline and God’s grace are what made me be who I am today.
I do everything on my own. I read, study and develop my skills. The software I use for drawing is self-taught…I learnt how to use it through YouTube. I push my brand. I meet people and tell them what I do.
When I decided to venture in this business and build my baby company, I had principles. No matter how long it takes for me to reach where I want to be, no matter how long it takes for me to start making a living from my business, I will stay focused and do my things professionally – no favours, just hard work.
Social Media Handles:
Facebook: Vuyo Mtshali
Lucent Designs
Instagram: vuyo_veey
WhatsApp Number: 0777268900
