Building relationships with the community was the most important lesson dressmaker Hillary Moodie learned from a series of training workshops under the auspices of the Makana Edutourism project.
Moodie was among a number of Grahamstown crafters, creative artists and small business owners who have been taking part in the workshops during the past six months.
Building relationships with the community was the most important lesson dressmaker Hillary Moodie learned from a series of training workshops under the auspices of the Makana Edutourism project.
Moodie was among a number of Grahamstown crafters, creative artists and small business owners who have been taking part in the workshops during the past six months.
Run in partnership with McIntosh Xaba and Associates (MXA) – a Southern African grouping of public sector development, management and facilitation consultants – the workshops covered a wide range of topics in business skills development, including Economic Development and Sustainability, Success Factors, and Customer Service.
Moodie has a successful sewing business, Oakridge Trading, trading as Hillary’s Sewing Centre, and said she had found the training workshops inspiring and particularly helpful.
Based at 3 Matthew Street, Hillary makes school uniforms, clerical clothing, curtains and Roman blinds. She said the workshops had given her hope to expand her business.
She discussed a concept involving the unemployed with MXA's Mahendra Naidoo, the workshop facilitator, and he offered her his continued support and guidance.
Moodie said the training had brought home to her the impact which marketing her business and building relationships within the community could have.
Her advice to those struggling to get their business off the ground, or starting up a new business, was to follow their dream.
“Ensure that what you are doing has potential for growth, and be passionate about it,” said Hillary.
