Think of every product or service you used this week. Was it satisfactory? My first thought was that there might be room for improvement at some of the businesses I supported.

That’s life, nobody is perfect but if a business is smaller, it is easier for me and you to communicate our wants and needs. You work hard for your money and when you spend it, you expect perfection. That’s not very realistic but if you are brutally honest, that’s what we all want.

It warms my heart to enter a shop where I’m greeted and respected. When the owner is present and participating, it feels like I’m supporting my brother or cousin. The struggle is real, I have tremendous respect for someone who works hard and is brave enough to take ownership of a business. It’s an overwhelming responsibility and I believe that it is in our hands to make a success of each other’s efforts.

I would like to share my experience with a service provider I have supported for about 5 years now. Her name is Rosemary Dzivakwi. She came from Zimbabwe and started working at a salon where she received training to be a nail technician. Soon she proved herself capable and started building a loyal client list. After some time, she made the brave decision to start her own business. She rented a container and she worked extremely hard.

As a dissatisfied customer at another salon, I got Rose’s number from one of the ladies that was close enough to hear about my frustration. Not expecting much, I went to her container and gave her a chance. She is a perfectionist. Her technique is flawless, and she takes pride in her work. She wasn’t shy to say that art was not her strong suit, but I was very satisfied with my perfectly polished nails. I’m a working mother of 2 and I’m not gentle with my nails when work needs to be done. So, I was impressed to see how long it lasted, especially after paying much less than I was used to.

Since then, I have never needed to go elsewhere. As her business grew, she moved to Ruby Rose Guesthouse at 287 Kunene Avenue, Sinoville Pretoria where she rents space to make her clients feel safe and comfortable in a beautiful environment. I’m so proud of what she has accomplished. I have so much respect for her, and I wish her all the success in the world.

Other than the fact that she provides a service flawlessly, she is an amazing child of God. She is honest, supportive, and kind. As most women know, a nail tech is someone you see regularly and sometimes for more than an hour at a time but I’m always excited to go. Rose is a real person, she has real challenges, she is a single mother making a life for herself far away from her family. Because of her, I will always support small businesses whenever I can.

I’m using this social platform to tell the world about her and to remind everyone that it does make a difference when you decide to give someone a chance and support an entrepreneur.

What small business would you like to vouch for?