Barney Business Practice 101

45 minutes just outside of Bloemfontein, Thaba Nchu is where the beautiful and multifaceted mother and social entrepreneur, Barney Nkoadipo Moloabi; calls home.

Where did your journey with Bontle Tota Creations begin?

Five years ago when I had just had my son Oarabetse, I decided to quit office work and start something that is entirely mine, without a proper plan, only the knowledge and passion that burned my soul. I had a house to pay off, a newborn baby and everything that required a stable income but I still typed and sent in my resignation letter and registered my Events & Wedding planning Company- Bontle Tota Creations.

How was putting an actual business together like?

I relocated from Johannesburg back home, which is tricky, people tell you that you can’t thrive since there are people who have been in the industry for ages but I am the type of person that gets focused only on what I have put my mind on and ignore everything else.

How did you decide where you were best suited?

I stumbled on a wedding planning course through a link someone put on Facebook. I registered with SA School of Weddings, for three months. I bought a wedding invitation packet for R49.99 and designed a few wedding invitations that I put on Facebook- after the people’s response were warm, I knew then that this would be it for me. So basically my business started with R49.99.

How does community Development tie in with business?

It starts on a personal level. My mother has always been the one raising children that weren’t hers and it is when my sisters and I caught on. I pair all my events, including the upcoming Women’s Network with a charity events. I try to always improve things for the others who aren’t as fortunate as I am. I try to have sustainable charity work, like teaching people how to create gardens for food, we have charity drives and I have personally adopted a child headed family of girls to offer help with their school work, sanitation and food parcels.

Explain Nala Women’s Network to us.

I know I’ve always been passionate about women so this was bound to happen. This is a project where I am aiming to create an environment where women can meet and exchange ideas and skills to make starting and growing their businesses much easier than it was for me. It’s a project by women about women for women.

What business tools have been useful for you?

Social Media. I have received clients from as far as Durban and afar only because of how my work is and how it is preferred on Facebook. I think a happy client too, people always talk about their experience with you and a happy client simply gets you your next.