Startup Story
Everyone knows the phrase, ‘a company is only as good as it’s people’. But developing, nurturing and connect people to the right career opportunities so they fulfill their potential is key to achieving that goal. In Angola, Anabela Marcos, founder of Gestão Profissional, has built a business that is helping both companies and employees alike with their talent development needs.
LoA chatted to founder Anabela Marcos to find out more about this highly specialist business.
What does your company do?
Gestão Profissional offers specialized services in the area of Human Resources and Career Management, with the main mission to develop talent, connect and exchange opportunities to impact the world! The services offered by the business involve Consulting, Recruitment and Selection, Training and Career Guidance.
“I realized that often the most important thing is that people have an opportunity.”
What inspired you to start your company?
After vast experience gained from working in large multinational companies, in positions of Advisor and Human Resources Director, and by the great level of contact with people, I realized that often the most important thing is that people have an opportunity. It was necessary for two things to make this happen: contribute to the development of people and have a look at the talent and potential that each one has beyond the curriculum. It was then that I realized that I wanted to be on the other side, giving support and career guidance to young professionals, as well as advising companies, through consultancy, on best practices, understanding work as a human activity, and building projects based on active and flexible observation that ensures adjustment to customer demands.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Gestão Profissional is a bridge to professional opportunities; unlike most companies, we do not look for job candidates, we look for jobs and opportunities for professionals in the market. In general, we contribute to the increase of employability, as we believe that it reduces the difficulty of companies in finding candidates that fit the necessary profiles, and the support that people need to develop their potential and find opportunities.
“We contribute to the increase of employability, as we believe that it reduces the difficulty of companies in finding candidates that fit the necessary profiles, and the support that people need to develop their potential and find opportunities.”
Tell us a little about your team
Today the team has 20 members, all young Angolans, who mostly had the Gestão Profissional as a gateway to the world of work. We are very proud to affirm our spirit of collaboration, exchange and daily learning, having people's development as our main goal. The team includes: 1 General Director and 1 Administrative Director, 3 Senior Project Managers, 3 Junior Project Managers, 5 Assistants, 4 Interns, 3 Support Team Members.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My journey as an entrepreneur started without much of an elaborate plan. I simply decided to leave a very promising career as an executive in multinationals, a salary of more than 10 thousand dollars, huge bonuses, social status, to venture into something that I believed needed to be done. I did not intend to have a large company, but to act as an individual consultant, serving people and specific projects. However, the market absorbed services very quickly, and in the same year I found myself opening an office, painting walls and hiring people. The challenges were many, and it was necessary to count on partnerships, but the main support of the business was always the customers, who remained and brought others by referral, fruit of the excellence in the work that we always try to guarantee. I am a psychologist by training, with a lot of experience in human resources and administration, and the knowledge about entrepreneurship was all acquired in the practice of acting in the Angolan market. Even after going through the various crises that hit the country, our growth has been remarkable in terms of volume of customers and financial results.
“We also want to take steps towards internationalization, especially for Portuguese-speaking countries. We are currently maturing some partnerships with the Afro-Brazilian market, and we hope to implement some actions from next year.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
First, gaining greater visibility in the national market. We have been very discreet and not very aggressive in commercial terms. Our customers come to us on recommendation, but we know that there is still a lot of space for us to embrace in the market. We also want to take steps towards internationalization, especially for Portuguese-speaking countries. We are currently maturing some partnerships with the Afro-Brazilian market, and we hope to implement some actions from next year.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
For the project that I lead, the greatest satisfaction is the impact that our services can have on people's lives. It is more to be able to change the reality of a person or whole families by betting on their talent and potential. It is to guarantee growth by offering tools for the development of people. It's about the pleasure of connecting people to opportunities. It is about understanding that listening and welcoming can transform lives. It is knowing that, even if in a minimal way, we are contributing to the promotion of employability.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Start with what you have and be clear about what your driving force is, as this is what will sustain you to continue this journey that is so difficult. Focus on the destination, not the difficulties of the route.
Contact or follow Gestão Profissional
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL anabela.marcos@gp-angola.com
Why LoA loves it….
It is only by developing people and investing in their potential that the African continent will grow and thrive. This is a vision that is shared by the inspirational Anabela Marcos, who is building a change-making company that is making a real difference to the lives of people and the businesses that employ them. Anabela believes in the power of investing in people and connecting them to opportunities that will help them to really fulfill their potential. This is a company with a big vision and big ambitions, and definitely one to watch this year. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa