For many companies, moving into a new business territory is a challenge, and having access to local insights and advice can be key to success. For entrepreneur Nita Chivwara, her experience as a country strategist and project manager has provided the necessary skills set to offer practical country marketing advice to global business.

LoA met with this ambitious entrepreneur recently in Malawi to find out more.

What does your company do?

I am involved in business development consulting services. Working in an advisory position as a strategist, my work includes carrying out practical marketing operations for global companies planning to implement business operations in Malawi, Africa and emerging markets in general.

"Working in an advisory position as a strategist, my work includes carrying out practical marketing operations for global companies planning to implement business operations in Malawi, Africa and emerging markets in general."

What inspired you to start your company?

The ease in which core skills can be marketed online inspired me to venture in this aspect of business. I had left a full time job and I had to find an alternative way of working. The other reason was the part-time nature of my event styling business at the time motivated me to find creative ways of augmenting that aspect.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

I have effectively managed and pioneered global initiatives doing and setting up business ventures in Malawi and Africa. I have had prior experience representing the Australia Institute of business and Technology on its African projects. I set up and managed Premise Data Inc. research operations in Malawi as Country Strategist and Regional Manager while supporting and strengthening its Southern African operations.

"I have effectively managed and pioneered global initiatives doing and setting up business ventures in Malawi and Africa."

Tell us a little about your team

I usually work with, and am attached to, new and existing start up projects. At times I have been requested to set up new teams of talent in line with the required skill set on each project.

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

I started with setting up an event styling/planning business in 2012 while still working in my full time job. I left a 14 year old full time job back in 2014. My first task at that time was to complete the remainder of a formal event planning contract with a national broadcasting house. As this period drew to a close, I discovered online market platforms which enabled professionals or freelancers to market their skills. My first engagement was with an Australian Institute. My assignment: Lead generation and negotiation of new partnerships for the Australia Institute of Business and Technology with institutes in Mainland Africa and Mauritius. For that project, we were having weekly marketing strategy meetings with global representatives for the scaling up of enrolments into AIBT specifically from emerging markets. This marked what would be a fulfilling journey working for global initiatives.

"The ease in which core skills can be marketed online inspired me to venture in this aspect of business. I had left a full time job and I had to find an alternative way of working."

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

I plan to diversify the approach that I market and interface with prospective clients.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Doing a good job and successfully completing goals and objectives of a contract, even exceeding expectations, satisfies me.

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

There is more than one way of growing a talent, a skill or an enterprise. Keeping up with trends and emerging online market places is key to growth.

Contact or follow Nita Chivwara

WEBSITE | EMAIL nitacheleuka@yahoo.com

Why LoA loves it….

Going into business is always daunting in the early days, but having a core skills set to harness as the foundation of that business provides a sound basis upon which to build. For Nita Chivwara, her entrepreneurial journey is taking her skill for strategy combined with her insight and knowledge of African markets, and leveraging it for the benefit of her global client base. She is a great example of using what you have to build a unique niche for yourself in the marketplace. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa