Startup Story
Sany Weng San is a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of MMO Facilities in Mozambique, and her exceptional leadership skills and dedication have earned her the Women Leadership Award. She founded MMO Facilities in 2018 to provide high-quality services to her clients and make their lives easier by providing top-notch integrated office management services. Under her leadership, MMO Facilities has become a leading provider of shared office spaces in Mozambique, serving a portfolio of multinational companies. Sany is committed to empowering women and has created job opportunities by hiring a team comprising 80% of women. With over 15 years of experience in the business industry, Sany's expertise in marketing, sales, human resources, procurement, budgeting, and project management has been instrumental in the success of MMO Facilities.
LoA spoke to founder Sany Weng San about her business journey and her passion for empowering other entrepreneurs, especially women.
What does your company do?
At MMO Facilities, our mission is to ensure that our clients' offices function seamlessly daily. We understand that running a business is challenging enough, so we take care of all non-core support and associated services, including Administrative Assistance, Procurement Services, Contract Management, Office Management, Maintenance, and more. Our team is dedicated to providing the highest level of service and expertise to ensure the conservation and performance of facilities, equipment, and service continuity. By entrusting us with the day-to-day operations of their offices, clients can focus on their core business and leave the management of all supporting services to our Mozambique-based specialists. Our commitment to excellence allows us to build long-lasting relationships with our clients, who trust us to keep their offices running smoothly.
“At the heart of our business is a client-centric focus. We work closely with our clients to understand their unique needs and design customized solutions that meet their requirements and budget.”
“One of the things that set us apart is our gender-focused approach. We are committed to creating job opportunities for women in the region. We believe this is a meaningful way to contribute to social progress and support gender equality and empowerment.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I was inspired to start MMO Facilities with a few key motivations. Firstly, I wanted to make my clients' lives easier by providing them with high-quality facilities and office management services that allow them to focus on their core business. Secondly, I wanted to give them comfort and peace of mind knowing their offices are in good hands. And thirdly, I wanted to create job opportunities for women. These were all important goals to me because I wanted to positively impact the lives of my clients and the community at large. By providing reliable, efficient, and cost-effective services, I knew I could help my clients succeed and contribute to the growth and development of the local economy.
In addition, I wanted to focus on creating job opportunities for women because I knew that gender equality and empowerment are critical issues in many regions. By providing women with the chance to participate in the workforce and contribute to the success of their communities, I knew I could make a meaningful difference. My vision for MMO Facilities is driven by a desire to create value for my clients, employees, and the wider community. By staying true to these values and focusing on delivering high-quality services, I am confident I can build a successful and sustainable business that makes a real difference in people's lives.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
What makes my business special is the comprehensive range of facilities and office management services we offer to multinational companies in East African markets. We take a holistic approach to asset management by integrating people, place, process, and technology to ensure optimal functionality. Our expertise enables us to provide a one-stop-shop solution that covers all aspects of our client's office operations, from administrative assistance to procurement, contract management, office management, maintenance, and more.
At the heart of our business is a client-centric focus. We work closely with our clients to understand their unique needs and design customized solutions that meet their requirements and budget. By tailoring our services to their specific needs, we help them save time, money, and hassle while enabling them to focus on their core business.
One of the things that set us apart is our gender-focused approach. We are committed to creating job opportunities for women in the region. We believe this is a meaningful way to contribute to social progress and support gender equality and empowerment.
Our business is unique because of our comprehensive services, holistic approach to asset management, client-centric focus, and commitment to creating job opportunities for women. These factors enable us to deliver high-quality services that positively impact our clients, our employees, and the wider community.
Tell us a little about your team
I am proud of my team at MMO Facilities. They are highly professional individuals who take their work seriously and are dedicated to providing the best possible service to our clients. Each team member brings their unique skills and expertise to the table, and we work collaboratively to ensure that our client's needs are met and their expectations exceeded.
Our team comprises individuals who are passionate about what they do and are committed to delivering exceptional results. They take the time to understand our client's requirements and work tirelessly to design customized solutions that meet their needs and budget.
One of the things that I appreciate most about my team is their dedication to their work. They understand the importance of providing reliable, efficient, and cost-effective services and are committed to achieving this goal daily. Whether through ongoing training and development or a commitment to continuous improvement, my team always strives to be the best they can be.
Overall, I am confident in my team's abilities and proud of their work. Their professionalism, commitment, and dedication set us apart from other providers, and I am grateful to have them as part of the MMO Facilities family.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I am the co-founder of MMO Facilities and General Manager of Mozambique Managed Offices (MMO). Our company is the first and leading provider of world-class shared offices, with four offices in Maputo, Mozambique. I have over 15 years of professional experience in various fields, such as project management, procurement, budgeting, human resources, sales, and marketing. I manage a portfolio of 50+ international office clients and facilities management contracts. I am proud to lead a team of 20 highly professional individuals dedicated to delivering exceptional service to our clients.
I returned to Mozambique in 2004 to pursue a degree in Business Management after studying in Portugal during my childhood and teenage years. My track record of success in the business industry began with an Administrative Assistant role in a telecommunications company, and I later became an office manager for a mining company. As a passionate entrepreneur, I have started various businesses and partnerships, including a serviced apartment business (My Place Moz), a baking startup (Tasty Hub), and online psychology, health, and wellness consultations in Portugal (Khushi Minds). I'm a Strategic Partner for a Financial Educational program (Money Savvy Mozambique). I continuously enroll in Facilities Management, Interior Design, and Business Management courses to stay current with industry trends.
In addition to my professional pursuits, I am also an active community member. I volunteer to help those displaced during the war and support orphanages through donations. I am one of the founding members of the Association Himumwe, which focuses on the sustainable development of communities. Recently, I joined financial literacy training to become a financial educator and trainer to help my community become debt-free. My commitment to personal and community development is a testament to my character and integrity. As an exceptional leader with a clear vision, outstanding leadership skills, and an unwavering commitment to personal and community development, I am proud to join the MMO team.
“Beyond the success of my business, I also feel fulfilled by the opportunity to make a difference in my community. Creating job opportunities, supporting local initiatives, and contributing to the region's growth and development are incredibly rewarding.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Our plans and aspirations for MMO Facilities are to continue to grow and become the leading facilities management provider in Mozambique. We aim to expand our service offerings and reach more clients by providing high-quality services and maintaining our commitment to excellence.
In addition, we are looking to expand our operations to other provinces in Mozambique better to serve the needs of our clients across the country. This will require significant investment in resources and personnel, but it is essential to achieving our long-term goals.
Ultimately, we want to be known as the go-to provider of facilities management services in Mozambique, renowned for our expertise, professionalism, and commitment to our client's success. By staying true to our values and focusing on continuous improvement, we are confident that we can achieve our aspirations and impact the industry.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
As an entrepreneur, knowing that I am making a positive impact on people's lives gives me the most satisfaction. When our clients provide us with positive feedback about our services, it gives me a sense of achievement and motivates me to continue striving for excellence.
However, beyond the success of my business, I also feel fulfilled by the opportunity to make a difference in my community. Creating job opportunities, supporting local initiatives, and contributing to the region's growth and development are incredibly rewarding.
Overall, the combination of providing high-quality services to our clients and positively impacting the community brings me the most satisfaction as an entrepreneur. It's a privilege to have the opportunity to do what I love while also making a difference in people's lives.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
As an entrepreneur, I understand that starting a business can be intimidating, especially for women who may face additional barriers and obstacles. My advice to other women looking to start their own businesses is to follow their passion and persist and remember that they can start small and test the waters.
Taking small steps towards building a business can help to build confidence and momentum. It can also help to minimize risk and reduce the fear of failure. By starting small, you can gain valuable experience, learn from mistakes, and build a solid foundation for future growth.
So, if you're still afraid to take a big step and start your own business, consider starting small and gradually building your way up. Remember, every successful entrepreneur started somewhere, and with hard work, determination, and a bit of luck, you can achieve your dreams too.
Contact or follow MMO Facilities
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | EMAIL sany.weng@offices-maputo.com
Why LoA loves it…
They say that if you want to succeed in business, then you need to find your niche and become a leading player in your field. Sany Weng San is certainly doing that with her business, MMO Facilities, and she is on her growth journey to fulfilling her dream of becoming the leading facilities management provider in Mozambique. With a passion for providing high-quality services and maintaining a commitment to excellence for her clients, we believe she is well on her way to achieving that goal. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa