Startup Story

Anastasia Machobane is the founder and ceo of Mashobane Advisory Services in South Africa, a business focusing on providing specialist legal and business administration services to the mostly under-serviced SMME market. She works independently or within team environments, and has a diplomatic/assertive approach in dealing with EXCO and Board members of any organisation. She is passionate about skills development and does this through her mentorship program. The business has created jobs for 5 people.

Anastasia holds B. Juris, L.L.B Degrees from the University of Pretoria, an MDP from Gibbs Business School/UP, and an Aviation Law Diploma from IATA in Canada as well as editing qualification from UCT. She is currently completing her final year LLM in Mercantile Law with the University of Pretoria. She has been in the legal field since 1998 and is an Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa since February 2001. She has attended various relevant courses over the past 22 years and her expertise includes PFMA, Risk management, Aviation, Compliance, Company secretarial, King IV, Companies Act and Corporate governance.

LoA spoke to Anastasia Machobane about the inspiration for starting her business and her aspirations

What does your company do?

We are a B2B company that provides Company Secretariat Services as well as Corporate Law Advisory Services. We work with companies to help them with registration, appointment, and resignation of directors as well as any changes in the business entity. We provide minute-taking services. We draft contracts to protect clients in business dealings. We provide legal advice to clients on various matters and we operate inside and outside South Africa

“We work with companies to help them with registration, appointment, and resignation of directors as well as any changes in the business entity.”

“I have been in the legal field for over two decades and my area of law is specialised, so I knew I had a niche to offer clients and with all the experience gained in both the public and private sectors I was ready to venture out on my own.”

What inspired you to start your company?

I started my company after I had a near-fatal health issue. I was also unhappy in my full-time employment and always knew my purpose in life was to create employment and create an environment that provided psychological safety for employees to assist them in having a work-life balance. I have been in the legal field for over two decades and my area of law is specialised, so I knew I had a niche to offer clients and with all the experience gained in both the public and private sectors I was ready to venture out on my own.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

Our services are highly specialised and focused on companies that are serous about making sure they comply to the laws of the country. Our clients are high profile companies operating in South Africa, on the African Continent and Internationally. We currently service clients from a variety of sectors namely ICT, Aromatic and fragrant plant extracting, Attorneys, Transport, Forestry, Renewable Energies, Financial services as well as the public sector.

Tell us a little about your team:

My team is a mix of young and not-so-young people. We recruit and give preference to women and youth. We select youth from our mentorship program and provide them with training to engage with high-profile directors and companies with professionalism. We do not micromanage our team and delegate functions with a clear mandate, providing the necessary support to enable them to deliver to our clients.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

This is my third attempt at owning my own business. I am therefore starting from experience. The last two times, I had to go back to full-time employment as there were too many barriers to entry and access to markets. It is no different now. I have always known I was meant to create employment but was not brave enough to follow my calling.

“We do not micromanage our team and delegate functions with a clear mandate, providing the necessary support to enable them to deliver to our clients.”

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

I want to scale my business. We already have clients outside the country and they are happy with our work. I want my business to outlive me. I have already placed SOPs in place and have a project management approach to our work.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Being able to work according to the rhythm of my body clock and manage my time. I love the freedom to work in an environment that I am comfortable in. I love to create opportunities for unemployed people.

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

I would tell them to start where they are, use what they have, and do what they can. This is advice that was given to me and I am now implementing it in my life. I would also tell them to be ready to live without the certainty of an income and that they will have to adjust accordingly.

Find out more:

Email: anastasia@mashobane.com

Website: http://www.mashobane.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMsKpuEwrhODSngDHvR2GmQ

Why LoA loves it…

Finding your business niche is always key to succeeding, as is identifying a customer need and providing a solution. Anastasia Machobane is doing both of those things with her highly specialized business, and building a reputation for customer service delivery too. She is harnessing her extensive professional knowledge and expertise and building a team of like-minded people who share her vision for the business. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa