They say that to make a difference in the world you need to dream big, and for one truly inspirational woman social entrepreneur and aviator in Botswana, she is demonstrating that if your dreams are big enough you can make big change happen. Captain Kgomotso Phatsima, founder of Dare to Dream, is inspiring a new generation of young women to follow in her footsteps and carve out careers and businesses in the exciting world of aviation and aerospace.
LoA learned more about this truly inspirational woman change-maker at the Lioness Lean In Francistown event in Botswana this month.
What does your company do?
Dare to Dream is a social enterprise dedicated to the advancement of youth women and girls in STEM Aviation and Aerospace as well as Entrepreneurship development skills.
“After graduating as one of the first female military pilots in the Botswana Defence Force I started Dare to Dream to inspire the Next Generation and give them a chance I never had.”
What inspired you to start your company?
When I was growing up, I never had the opportunity to interact with a pilot nor see the inside of a flying machine until I had the opportunity to fly it. After graduating as one of the first female military pilots in the Botswana Defence Force I started Dare to Dream to inspire the Next Generation and give them a chance I never had.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Dare to Dream is a social enterprise that combines both STEM (Science Technology Engineering and mathematics) Aviation as well as Entrepreneurship development. We not only groom the next generation of STEM leaders, but we also encourage them to be STEM entrepreneurs of tomorrow. We offer coding and entrepreneurial skills development Training, consultancy services for web development apps, as well as airport tours and flying experiences.
“We not only groom the next generation of STEM leaders, but we also encourage them to be STEM entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”
Tell us a little about your team
Dare to Dream comprises of a team of 25 young degree holders from different backgrounds who share a passion for the development of our people, our community and our nation.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My mother was an entrepreneur she used to sell different merchandise to assist paying for our school fees. My entrepreneurial journey started in 2018 after being selected for the Obama Foundation Africa Leaders Program. We had the opportunity to share our challenges in our respective NGOs such as lack of funding opportunities and sustainability. After attending this program, I came back home and changed my organisation into a social enterprise model and started charging fees for all our services.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Dare to Dream aspires to be the leading organisation powering the next generation of STEM Aviation Business Leaders of Tomorrow by training 1million youth women and girls by 2030.
“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. There are going to be many challenges, a lot of doors will be closed in your face. Never give up, no matter the challenges, no matter how many times you fail, no matter what they say. Collaborate with each other, believe in yourself, pick up the sword and go back to the battlefield and build the greatest female business empires. Together we can, Lionesses of Africa!”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
To know my services have helped someone and changed a life.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Be fearless in the pursuit of what's set your soul on fire and go out there and start your entrepreneurial journey despite the odds.
Contact or follow Dare to Dream
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL phatsimakgomotso@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
At Lionesses of Africa we know only too well the power of thinking big in order to make a big difference in the world. In Botswana, the country has a key advocate in Captain Kgomotso Phatsima and she is a fine example of how big dreams can be realized by the creation of big opportunities for the next generation. Through her vision and her work, she is driving a new spirit of enterprise and opportunity in her country for ambitious young women who want to educate themselves to the highest level and follow in her footsteps. — Melanie Hawken, founder and ceo of Lionesses of Africa