Cosdef unlocks opportunities

Six Power Investments was founded by six young Namibians who opted to start their own business rather than be employed by other people.
JUSTISIA SHIPENA
The company which makes furniture from recycled metal consists of Paulina Alfeus (MD), Ashipembe Julius, Neliwa Leonard, Paulus Hilaria, Neumbo Asteria and Vaefeni Jason, all of whom are boilermaker graduates.

One of their most interesting furniture pieces are made out of old metal drums. Paulina is determined to make the business successful, despite being active in an industry dominated mostly by men. “Hard work and passion is what motivates me to continue running the business,” says Paulina.

She explained that the company members joined the Cosdec Swakopmund incubation programme in May 2017 after a successful interview.

“Cosdef took us in when we only had an idea and gave us an opportunity to test our idea and manufacture our first product.”

They were offered an incubation unit and ran the business fulltime from the centre which also provided them with mentorship and business support services. Doing business was made easier by the fact that they had a fulltime business mentor.

Power Six Investments was selected by the office of the Erongo governor to attend a week-long Student Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP) in Windhoek under the auspices of the higher education ministry in June 2017.

“The company was recognised as the ‘Most Profitable Business’ and also received the ‘Information Seeking Exercise’ award.

Power Six Investments signed up with Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and entered the Creative Business Cup Namibia hosted by the network on 8 March 2019.

The Creative Business Cup is a global year-round initiative which strives to empower entrepreneurs in the creative business arena. It connects entrepreneurs to investors, global markets and also strengthens the capabilities of entrepreneurs to the benefit of industry and society.

Participants competed in various creative categories including fashion, music, design and others.

Power Six Investment participated in the design category, proceeded to the final round and won the overall prize of US$500.

The company will now represent Namibia at the Creative Business Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark and compete against the rest of the world later this year.

Power Six Investments has branches in Ondangwa and Uupopo. The company currently has four permanent workers and will increase this number once the business becomes more profitable.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

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