SPECIAL REPORT • TIFFANY HESLOP

“My faith plays the biggest role in my life as a young entrepreneur”

Tiffany Heslop is a young Catholic entrepreneur, born in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, now based in Centurion, Gauteng. She created two companies out of her conviction and faith in her God-given talents. She encourages any young person to follow her example

BY FR RAFAEL ARMADA | MCCJ

How did the idea of creating two companies come about?

I have been an administrative professional for 10 years, leading comprehensive administrative and operational support to C-suite personnel (high-ranking executive titles in an organization). Early on, in my career, I worked in small companies, although I had the title of personal assistant, I fulfilled many positions within the companies, which allowed me to learn and get experience in all the departments of a business. Today I consider myself a professional who understands the complexities of business, the business landscape within and outside the organisation and all the stakeholders involved.

When I failed, I dusted myself off, took the lesson and tried again, and again until I got
it right

 In 2020, I knew that I wanted to start my own company. So, I took a leap of faith and registered a company with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). I just knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I prayed and asked God to give me the wisdom, knowledge and understanding, that I would need to complete a successful business plan and launch a successful business.

 At the time I still had a full-time job, but in March 2021 the company I worked for closed down and I was left unemployed. I tried looking for a new job, but there were no opportunities available. Then I had a light bulb moment: I have a registered company; I have extensive expertise and knowledge for running a business. It was the moment to take a leap of faith, to have courage and believe in myself.

 I prayed, did the research, and put in all the smart work, developed a business plan I was proud of, which lead to the launching of my first company. I became the exclusive distributor of portable pizza ovens in Africa.  My second company was born when I met, my now good friend from Senegal, who believed in me, saw my talents, strengths and hunger to build something great, that would create a difference in the world for somebody.

I had no capital, no business plan, no help, I just had my faith, my skills, creativity and courage. I didn’t focus on what I didn’t have, I only focused on God and my burning desire to be an entrepreneur. With every no I got, I didn’t get discouraged, I saw no’s and failures as an opportunity to grow, and develop something better.

 I created eight business plans before I found the one in which everything just flowed. I knew that that was the business plan I had prayed for and that God’s blessing prepared for me.

As a young entrepreneur, how do you see the possibilities  of job creation for the youth in South Africa today?  

I strongly believe that if I could do it, anyone can! The opportunities are there to create jobs, no matter where you are or what you have. It all starts with you. In life things are not always going to be handed to us on a silver platter; most times we have to create the opportunities ourselves. The big questions we have to ask ourselves are: Are we creating a business that will bring value to people, customers, suppliers and employees? Are we doing it out of love for the others? what is our intention? Then we can take that leap of faith, do the smart work and believe that what we have asked God for, He has given to us. God is with us, and God is good.

 We just need the patience and understanding, that when we ask God for something, with good intentions in mind, when we truly seek it with all our hearts and have faith that if it is in accordance with God’s will, it will manifest in our lives; then it will. The obstacles we face along the way are there to mould us and transform us, so that we can be ready for God’s blessing.

What are the main challenges you face in your daily  activities in your  companies? 

When I started my companies, they had business models which I didn’t have experience in. Most things were a first-time experience for me, I didn’t know how to do a lot of things and I had to build everything up from the ground, with no help, no capital, with no assets, but I was not discouraged, because I knew that God had blessed me with everything I needed to succeed. With the internet, you have an abundance of knowledge at your fingertips, so I did the work and the learning. When I failed, I dusted myself off, took the lesson and tried again, and again until I got it right.

 You never stop learning in business, every day you face challenges, with customers, suppliers, with staff; it’s part of the journey, nothing stays the same, things are evolving at a fast pace, so you always have to be ready to face any challenge with patience and understanding.  You must have a plan A, plan B and plan C.

 Some important lessons I’ve learnt which have helped me to cope with a lot of challenges, are: to have a good moral compass and stay true to your company values and mission. Build a good structure/ foundation for your ecosystems. You must be a multi-tasker, well organised and pay attention to the little details because they count. Set up effective processes and workflow structures for every ecosystem: your suppliers, your employees and your customers, so that at every touch point you have a plan A, B and C.

How does your faith play a part in your life as a young entrepreneur? 

My faith is my foundation. It has taught me to be respectful towards myself, my neighbour and the planet; it has taught me to be humble and obedient. To be accountable for all my actions and to live with dignity and integrity. My faith plays the biggest role in my life as a young entrepreneur. I humbly believe that I am nothing, without the presence of God, it is God who sustains me. I am only here by God’s grace and will. I am at a stage in my life, where I try constantly to live by this prayer: ‘Not my will Lord, but may your Divine Will oh God, be done’.

 I try to offer to God all my actions, all my thoughts and all that I do, in reparation for my sins and the sins of the whole world. Offering everything I do as a prayer to the Lord our God, in my personal and professional life. It’s not an easy journey, and most times it means going against the ways of the world and letting go of your wants, but it’s a beautiful humbling experience and something you have to work on constantly. I am far from being perfect, I am a sinner, but just like I pick myself back up when I fall on my business journey which is often, I do the same in my faith… Oh, how I love the gift of the Holy sacrament of confession. There are so many obstacles and bumps and potholes along the way that you sometimes don’t see, so you can fall really hard, but what matters is that you get up, dust yourself off, and keep on moving, then with more awareness, letting God lead, seeking His voice before you take each step.

 I love Jesus so much! Nothing in this world can give you the peace and love that God can, so seek Him first above all things. He is all you need and the greatest gift of all.

What dreams do you have in life?

My greatest dream is to become a saint in the kingdom of God. The earth is my temporary home, while I have been blessed with the gift of life from the Almighty. I honestly want to do the will of God. So I live my life day by day, seeking the voice of God. Thirsting for His presence, for it sustains me.

I love being an entrepreneur and I would love to own a sustainable farm in the near future, which creates many job opportunities. I pray for it.

My greatest dream is to become a saint in the kingdom of God

I am also working on an App, which will help many Catholics on their journey of faith because bringing souls to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is also so important to me. Jesus loves us all so much and He is constantly pouring out His Precious Blood and His Divine Love and Mercy for us.

 If God says yes, then it’s a thumbs up, but if God says no, then in obedience I will humbly follow His command, no matter how painful it will be, for I know it is for the sanctification of my soul.