Startup Story
Building a successful energy and electrical consulting company, Ikigai Engineering, drives South African entrepreneur Devaksha Maharaj on one level. But her passion for STEAM and the education of children has driven her to create her IKI KIDS, a business that teaches kids such subjects as engineering, mathematics, robotics and coding, creating a new generation of future STEAM specialists.
LoA was excited to learn more about this impact driven venture from founder Devaksha Maharaj.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Devaksha Maharaj and I am a professional engineer and the founder and owner of Ikigai Engineering, an energy and electrical services and maintenance company located in Pretoria, South Africa. My passion is kids, so one of the branches of my business is a STEAM programme which is now a separate entity called IKI KIDS. This programme teaches kids engineering and mathematical principles including coding and Robotics.
“I am a professional engineer and the founder and owner of Ikigai Engineering, an energy and electrical services and maintenance company located in Pretoria, South Africa.”
What does your company do?
Ikigai Engineering is an energy and electrical consulting company that is broken up into 4 facets. Energy Management consulting services which includes Energy Auditing, Strategy and Development; Measurement & Verification, as well as Carbon Tax Reporting. We are involved in the design, supply and installation of renewable energy technologies in the solar PV sector. Being an accredited EWSETA trainer we are involved with a number of institutions in training and development. Creating a circular green economy adds to our journey of sustainability, therefore we have partnered with a number of local manufacturers to supply biodegradable products. The separate entity that was initially started with Ikigai Engineering is IKI KIDS. This programme teaches kids engineering and mathematical principles including coding and Robotics.
What inspired you to start your company?
I left corporate two years ago after taking my MD to task for sexual harassment, victimization and intimidation. I was a statistic and the other females let it go as they said they didn't have a degree and wouldn't find a job as easily as I would. I resigned after a 3 month suspension and him having been acquitted of all charges. I was to be fired after been asked to return. I had no plan no idea what I was going to do with my life. I sank into depression but woke up one day to a symbol of Ikigai which made me think. Ikigai (pronounced “eye-ki-guy”) is, above all else, a lifestyle that strives to balance the spiritual with the practical. This balance is found at the intersection where your passions and talents converge with the things that the world needs and is willing to pay for. I applied that and started my engineering consulting and services company.
“My passion is kids, so one of the branches of my business is a STEAM programme which is now a separate entity called IKI KIDS. This programme teaches kids engineering and mathematical principles including coding and Robotics.”
What makes your business, service or product special?
I add a personal touch to all my projects and my clients. It's my value-add. Nothing I do are items that others don’t offer, the difference lies in the approach and the service delivery. IKI KIDS is special as the STEAM skills are taught to kids from 2-5years old.
Tell us a little about your team
I usually use subcontractors as the business is not at the stage to employ. One constant supplier is a young lady, Noorjehan Hassen. She's a Chemical Engineer who is also practicing in the Energy sector. I contract her when I need to do audits and reporting. She's an amazing lady with so much talent.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
As explained above, I was basically thrown into becoming an entrepreneur. Brought up from a sheltered environment where one studied, got a degree and worked for a lifetime for a corporate, that's where I was till two and half years ago. My husband was always business minded but also never took the chance, supported me in my case and when I decided I was to start up my own business he was extremely supportive. He had opened up a CC in 2011 with some hope that one day we would start a company and it was all there ready for me to take over and do something valued with. So two and half years with no capital and nothing but the head on my shoulders I started from scratch. I realized that I had the network to tap into as along my corporate journey I had kept in contact with acquaintances and that's where it all started. Covid-19 has taken my business to its lowest, but I continue everyday to work at it. Once a survivor always a survivor!
“My aspiration is to have the business totally free of me running it so that I can concentrate more on IKI KIDS which by some stage would have also expanded across school and learning institutions.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
The plan for 2020 was to employ a sales representative to add more to marketing the products that we offer, but that has now to be delayed. My aspiration is to have the business totally free of me running it so that I can concentrate more on IKI KIDS which by some stage would have also expanded across school and learning institutions.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The flexibility to been a mum and a wife! I longed to have another child and the corporate left made me hesitate, as I once was retrenched after having been on maternity leave. Now that I am in a position to run how I want my life to be led, it's something that I will never go back on.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Keep your head up. There are dark days and there are darker days, have those days but just keep going. Two steps everyday that's all you need. Don't be difficult if you don't move, it will eventually come together. And lastly always be true to yourself. Integrity is the most important characteristic you can offer your business.
Contact or follow Ikigai Engineering
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL devaksha@ikigaiengineering.co.za
Why LoA loves it…
Tenacity, perseverance, and self belief are key attributes of any successful woman entrepreneur, and in the case of Devaksha Maharaj, she demonstrates these in huge quantities each day. Today, she is bringing her considerable engineering and technical expertise to not only her business, but also to her high impact programmes to educate the future generations of young STEAM practitioners. She is an inspiration to all those women entrepreneurs who may have thought about giving up on this tough journey, but who are now learning persevere and pull through. Inspirational! — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa