As everyone knows, one of the most stressful occasions can be a wedding. There are huge expectations, big dreams to fulfill, and everyone is emotional. That’s where great wedding planners and specialists come in. For one South African entrepreneur, Dieketseng Mangope, founder of By Grace Wedding Supplies, other people’s big days are where she comes to the rescue and takes all the stress away with her specialist wedding supply and event management services.
LoA chatted to By Grace Wedding Supplies founder, Dieketseng Mangope this month to find out more.
What does your company do?
By Grace Wedding Supplies provide a range of specialist resources and expertise for any wedding planning occasion in terms of Decoration, Photography, Cutlery and Crockery, and other event management services which may be needed for the event to be successful - and stress free!
“We strive to give our clients the best service in terms of meeting their event needs, and deliver even more than they expect from us.”
What inspired you to start your company?
Passion inspired me to start By Grace Wedding Supplies. I worked for Local Government departments in the specialist field of logistics, and the experience I gained throughout my professional career motivated me to start my own company.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We strive to give our clients the best service in terms of meeting their event needs, and deliver even more than they expect from us. We go the extra mile in meeting their demands.
Tell us a little about your team
The company is co-founded by me and my husband. Our daughter and son are also working in this company as emerging entrepreneurs, then we use the help of our community brothers and sisters who are skilled in event management and who are always there to give us a helping hand.
“I dream of the company growing up here in South Africa and then also operating in other countries.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
It all started because I used to assist young ladies who were getting married with coordinating their specialist requirements, such as Wedding Cakes, Bridal Gowns, Decoration, Bridesmaids Dresses and Groomsmen suits, and any equipment needed to make their much anticipated Wedding Day/Event Day a success. This started at our Church Community back in 2009. Then I developed a passion to start undertaking specialist events planning. The passion grew until I started to open my own venture at our house. I started to create Invitation Cards and Event Stationery. I bought Red Carpets, White Linen and Bridal Gowns along the way. Then I added cutlery and crockery little by little. Beautiful His and Hers wedding couches soon followed, and now I am decorating and hiring out equipment for any event ranging from Bridal Showers, Elderly People Appreciation events, Birthdays and Weddings. We also do Photography and Videography for the same events. Together with my husband we offer Pre-marital Counselling, Cake Cutting Services and Marriage Counselling, etc.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I dream of the company growing up here in South Africa and then also operating in other countries. It first has to be known and established locally, then the goal is to broaden out to other parts of the world.
“It gives me great joy to achieve success in any event we manage on behalf of our clients.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Releasing the potential within me and meeting the needs of others satisfies me greatly. I am happiest when the customer is happy and glad about the service we offered to them. It gives me great joy to achieve success in any event we manage on behalf of our clients.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
I would like to say to my sisters out there, who are looking to start-up their own ventures, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, with Him all things are possible”
Contact or follow Grace Wedding Supplies
FACEBOOK | EMAIL welheminah123@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
There is nothing more satisfying that seeing the look on clients’ faces when a service delivered has met or exceeded their expectations, and that is an experience known all too well to Dieketseng Mangope. Her company is building a solid reputation for delivering a quality specialist wedding supply and event planning service for people in her community, and her satisfied customers are her best source of advertising and referrals. This is a growing family business that understands the importance of service delivery and is winning a legion of customer fans along the way. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa