Startup Story
For the deaf and hard of hearing, being able to keep up to date with news, information and powerful digital content is so important to maintain those all important connections in life and in business. Thuli Zikalala, founder of specialist business Yellow Owl, is playing her part as a professional sign language interpreter.
LoA learned more about how Thuli’s work and business are helping those with hearing challenges to get barrier free access to information, learning and entertainment through the power of sign language.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Thuli Zikalala and I am the sole founder of Yellow Owl. I am passionate about pioneering new ideas, inspiring people and sharing an optimistic outlook on life! I am a qualified professional South African Sign Language (SASL) Interpreter and one of only 11 accredited SASL interpreters with the South African Translation Institute (SATI) in the country. I pride myself in being a SASL podcast pioneer - being the first person in South Africa to interpret a podcast into SASL! My vast experience ranges from live TV, corporate events and digital platforms. By providing professional SASL Interpreting services, my aim is to spread awareness about the skills needed to become a SASL interpreter. I want to remove barriers to access to information and content for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community, solve problems creatively, and collaborate with like-minded industry-leaders who are determined to push humanity forward.
“By providing professional SASL Interpreting services, my aim is to spread awareness about the skills needed to become a SASL interpreter.”
What does your company do?
Yellow Owl is determined to be the 'go-to' company for providing professional SASL interpreting services for podcasts, digital content, and videos. My services also extend to the public and private sectors including meetings, corporate events and community outreaches. My mission is to connect different communities (not only limited to the deaf community) through promoting inclusivity, bridging communication, exchanging of ground-breaking ideas, and ultimately increase the bottom line for all stakeholders through unlocking exciting opportunities.
What inspired you to start your company?
Earlier this year, I made the bold decision to resign from my full-time job of 5 years in the pursuit of unearthing my true passions - including starting Yellow Owl. I must say that it was risky leaving employment during a global pandemic, but it was worth it! I've always been a risk-taker, I love experimenting with creating unique opportunities for everyone, while maintaining a deep sense of purpose to serve those around me in meaningful ways. Starting my own company seemed like the best option to have complete autonomy of my time, value and daunting vision I had for myself.
“I want to remove barriers to access to information and content for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community, solve problems creatively, and collaborate with like-minded industry-leaders who are determined to push humanity forward.”
Why should anyone use your service or product?
I collaborated with CliffCentral.com - Africa's leading online digital platform - to introduce SASL Interpreting to podcasts. We pioneered a pilot episode of the award-winning podcast Blind History, which is sponsored by Taylor Blinds and Shutters. The positive response from curious audiences and media coverage was incredible!
The first and only partnership of its kind in South Africa! Podcasts by nature are audio-based which means that an entire Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community is excluded from this wealth of knowledge simply because they can't hear. Our collaboration has set the precedent for other content creators to make their digital content more inclusive by including a SASL interpreter and subtitles. As a professional SASL interpreter I have the massive responsibility of correcting the misinformed narrative about what SASL interpreting is all about. It's a constant learning curve for myself and involved stakeholders, we make a lot of mistakes but we realize that it's how we respond to failure that makes all the difference.
Tell us a little about your team
I am the sole founder of Yellow Owl. However, as a novice in the entrepreneurial space, I surround myself with more experienced people who offer much needed support and advice about my business. I have the privilege to learn from experts in different industries ranging from graphic designers, video editors, branding specialists, and business mentors. It is very important to have a teachable spirit and to be open to correction, whether it comes from someone who is younger or older than me.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
It's my first time embarking on this entrepreneurial journey! Although most family members have their own businesses, I decided to take time to study further, master my SASL interpreting skills and gain experience along the way. Honestly, being a startup is not easy. There are several liberating perks I enjoy such as controlling my own time, choosing who I want to work with, and being actively and consciously involved in building my legacy. These ideals are near impossible to achieve when working for someone else. But the harsh reality for me, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been trying to stay motivated when everything around was changing drastically. Managing my finances and making frugal decisions about the business has been even tougher, and also being unsure if potential clients will openly receive the revolutionary idea of introducing SASL interpreters to podcasts. Overall, I have no regrets. I believe that it was just a matter of time before I started Yellow Owl, and very often than not, when one follows their path things do turn out alright in the end.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My vision for Yellow Owl is to gain the necessary entrepreneurial tools and skills needed to survive such as online courses, mentorship, and more collaborations.
I would like to invest in better quality digital/video recording devices such as cameras, apps, and software to enhance my final product that I upload and deliver to clients. It can be expensive but it's a vital investment when done right. Lastly, I would love to collaborate with other content creators to challenge the way content is being delivered and to make it more inclusive to a wider audience. My YouTube channel called 'Good Vibes with Thuli' allowed me to share my personal journey while featuring other podcasters, I also include a SASL interpreter and subtitles. I would love to create more episodes for my channel and continue developing my love for public speaking, presenting and inspiring people out there.
“My mission is to connect different communities (not only limited to the deaf community) through promoting inclusivity, bridging communication, exchanging of ground-breaking ideas, and ultimately increase the bottom line for all stakeholders through unlocking exciting opportunities.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
I am truly blessed to have discovered my purpose early in life and make a living from it. Who I am and why I am chosen becomes clearer every day. I know that my assignment here on earth is to use my SASL Interpreting skills as a channel to connect different communities together, but simultaneously applying my love for public speaking and leadership to inspire others to become better versions of themselves.
I believe that anything is possible and the power of thought, words and actions combined has helped me overcome my fears of failure. Pioneering awe-inspiring projects with like-minded people is a choice I make daily.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
“You become what you believe. You are where you are today because of everything you believe”. This is my favourite quote that is often recited by other strong women I look up to as role models.
My advice is to first discover your purpose and identify what makes you unique from other people who offer similar services or products. Start with the end in mind of what you want to achieve and carefully unpack it daily. Lastly, keep your head down and be patient with yourself.
Contact or follow Yellow Owl
TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL Hello@yellowowl.co.za
Why LoA loves it….
At Lionesses of Africa, we are continually inspired by those women entrepreneurs who are real impact-makers in their fields, and Thuli Zikalala is definitely an impact maker. She is changing lives each day through her sign language interpretation service, ensuring that those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing are able to access and enjoy great content and information when they need or want it. She is a role-model for others to follow - she identified a real need in society and was motivated and drive to create the solution. Today, she can be proud of her achievements to date and the lives she has positively changed for the better through her work and business. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa