Startup Story

For any individual or business wanting to achieve their full potential, it is often essential to get the right training, skills development and advice. Based in Kenya but with a pan-African presence, entrepreneur Emmanuella Aboa, founder of Transolution Services Africa Ltd, is focused on helping individuals and businesses thrive in their eco-systems.

LoA found out more about this passion driven business that is making a real impact on lives and business across the African continent from founder Emmanuella Aboa.

What does your company do?

Transolution Services Africa Limited prides itself in being a champion of transforming lives, sharpening leadership management skills and challenging businesses to achieve their potential. Our suit of services include but are not limited to executive training, bespoke coaching and counselling services, translation and interpretation, project management, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. We work with a variety of clienteles ranging from government, institutions, community-based organizations, young people and senior leadership among others - both locally and internationally.

“Transolution Services Africa Limited prides itself in being a champion of transforming lives, sharpening leadership management skills and challenging businesses to achieve their potential.”

What inspired you to start your company?

Circumstances, as I never envisaged starting a business. I was working for an organisation that was going through changes and I was certain that many people (myself included) would lose their jobs. To survive, I started Transolution Services looking at the needs of the market and my skills. I did not lose my job and continued working for the company while developing my own. I am forever grateful for the opportunity they gave me.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

Our human-centered approach. Even though we are the custodian of our vision, our services are tailor-made to the needs of our clients, they are our partners in our mission. We exist because of them and we constantly have that on top of our mind.

Tell us a little about your team

Our team varies from one country to another based on our footprint and the needs in that location. However, they are professional in their own rights having the necessary education for the position they hold and a global experience. We emphasize the global experience for our management team to enable, some of our less privileged clients to get a global perspective as they try to maximize the local opportunities. Our employees are the most important asset of our company. We ensure that they develop themselves and the business. As cliche as this may seem, they are like families.

“Our human-centered approach. Even though we are the custodian of our vision, our services are tailor-made to the needs of our clients, they are our partners in our mission.”

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

My father is a well-established business man in my home country, Cote D’Ivoire. However, having been raised by my mother, I cannot say that he has had a direct impact in my entrepreneurial journey. With time, however, his advices have helped me persevere. My entrepreneurial journey is one of many upside down, trial and errors, resilience and re-invention. I started Transolution as a translation and interpretation service at a time when Kenya was going through rebranding and I was certain of the opportunities that would arise in the linguistic space. Back then we were offering translation from French to English and vice versa. The demand was quite high and we eventually diversified into other languages, grew our pool of consultants and eventually our services. We have experienced many challenges on the way, but giving up was never an option.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

We have adopted a business model that helped us have a footprint in 14 African countries. For the next couple of years, we want to improve our offerings in those countries while focusing on the digital space to enhance our visibility.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

The 'thank you' and blessings clients utter after going through our programmes. It makes it all worthwhile. I also love being in charge of my time. I work from 10am to 3am most days and that works absolutely fine with me. I am not confined to the 8h30am to 5pm rule. Entrepreneurship also gives me the flexibility to spend valuable time with my family, when I (or they) want to, rather than when it is given to me.

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

They are so many pieces of advice that I could give but I will try to limit them to a few:

Trust your ideas and do not overthink it: the longer you wait, the more ambivalent you become. Take the plunge and make every mistake you possibly can. Learn as you go.

Elevate your track record: Attractive women will experience greater advisories in business for obvious reasons. You will need to work assiduously on improving your track record to be considered a thought leader in your industry.

Be consistent: even when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel, be consistent. Consistency brings visibility and visibility, credibility.

Manage your cash flow: budget and plan your finances. Provide an invoice as soon as a job is completed. Be clear about payment terms with your customers and manage suppliers’ payment. Cash flow is paramount to SME’s survival.

“We have adopted a business model that helped us have a footprint in 14 African countries. For the next couple of years, we want to improve our offerings in those countries while focusing on the digital space to enhance our visibility.”

More about the founder

Emmanuella Aboa is an over ambitious entrepreneur, passionate about the development of young people and women. She is a published author, serial entrepreneur and thought-leader. With 15 years of experience spanning corporate governance, strategy consulting, business development, marketing and content development, she helps individuals and businesses thrive within their ecosystems. Recipient of the 2019 Best in Education and Training award in recognition of her outstanding performance and exemplary performance in the sector, she is passionate about challenging and developing people and businesses to achieve their full potential. Emmanuella is the founder of Transolution Services Africa Limited, a Pan African company with presence in 14 countries, which oversees the development of future and current leaders through different services. She holds an MBA from the Maryland California University and is currently pursuing a second Masters in Psychology. She is a wife and mother of 4, an enthusiastic learner, and eager to impact and make a difference in the society.

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Why LoA loves it….

Access to skills development and training is key to the growth and development of both people and businesses in Africa if they are to truly fulfill their potential and contribute to the economic growth of the continent. That is where Emmanuella Aboa and her business are making a real difference. By creating training, coaching and developmental programmes that are focused on meeting the specific growth needs of each individual and business client, the impact is greatest. Emmanuella and her team are really making a difference to both lives and businesses, and the vision is to do even more over the coming months and years. Definitely a company to watch! — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa