LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Arizona Vocational Training Centre & Elea Products, a business transforming lives through training and skills development in Tanzania
Jennifer Shigoli is a Lawyer by profession and also the ceo and founder of Arizona Vocational Training College and Elea Reusable Pads in Tanzania, a business she launched in 2012 and which today employs 23 people. Jennifer is a visionary educator and entrepreneur who is passionate about transformation and economic empowerment. Jennifer started her entrepreneurial journey 12 years ago and through her work she has touched thousands of lives. She believes to bring about change she has to be the change she wants to see; she has to be the solution.
Lioness Weekender spoke to the impact-making Jennifer Shigoli about her work, her passion for making a difference to other people’s lives, and her vision for the future.
What does your company do?
Arizona Vocational Training Centre is a premier institution dedicated to providing high-quality vocational and technical education in Tanzania. We envision a skilled and empowered workforce that drives innovation, productivity, and sustainable growth in Africa. Our mission is to bridge the gap between education and employment by offering practical and relevant vocational training programs that equip our students with the skills and competencies to succeed in their careers. Over the past four years, our team has been dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of unemployment and economic stagnation among the youth and underserved communities. We also manufacture and distribute consumer products such as cosmetics and Elea Reusable Sanitary Pads.
What inspired you to start your company?
I have always wanted to be part of the solution; as a girl guide from early on we were nurtured to be problem solvers, and when I graduated from university it was not easy to get a job. At the same time, I started seeing market gaps, especially in manufacturing where the market was dominated by imported goods. That was when I decided to go and learn and start producing. The learning part was not easy as I couldn't find proper institutions to learn with the latest technology, so I had to travel to Nairobi and learn. When I came back, I saw the need as most of my products were of a higher quality, and I designed programs for those who wanted to learn. Later I formalized the training by registering at an institution so that others wouldn’t need to go the long way as I did. Since inception, we have trained 3000+ students from 5 neighboring countries.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We offer a 360-degree approach; training is one part but nurturing and incubating our students until they are able to take off is another part. We offer both soft and hard skills.
Tell us a little about your team:
I have a management team of 6,10 trainers and 7 support workers. Our dedicated team of experienced instructors brings a wealth of industry knowledge and teaching
expertise to the classroom. They are committed to providing personalized attention and guidance to each student. We also collaborate closely with various industries and employers to ensure that our training aligns with current market needs. Our industry partnerships also facilitate internships, job placements, and networking opportunities for our students.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I do not come from an entrepreneurial background. However, as far as I recall I used to participate in extracurricular activities in school, and one of the projects that was a spark for me was to make beaded bracelets and sell them to fundraise for a school project. I made 10 and I sold all of them. Since that moment it had planted the seed that it could be done, and that if I bring a solution then I will be able to generate money from those whose problems I am solving. After finishing school I joined network marketing that was also a game changer, and I met like-minded people. However, I wanted more for myself, so one day I sat down and I studied the founder of the company and I realized I could do it too.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Expanding to other markets and creating strong platforms online where people from different places can learn, hence we will reach a lot of people and that applies to the products we produce as well.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Seeing the transformation the work we do brings to people’s lives.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
START!! I always say the very first step is to start. You don't have to have the whole clear picture or have everything in place, we all build along the way. I would like to encourage other women to say yes it can be done.
To find out more about the work of Arizona Vocational Training Centre and Elea Products, contact founder Jennifer Shigoli via email: Shigolijennifer@gmail.com or visit the company website and social media platforms:
Website: https://arizonavtc.co.tz/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_shigoli?igsh=MTJpd2Jrc3AwM2s0dQ==
