The world of eventing is a hugely competitive business, so the secret to success is building a reputation and service offering that is differentiated in the industry. For entrepreneur, Maria Natália João, founder of MNJ Eventos & Serviços, that meant harnessing her considerable expertise and experience as an event MC and building upon that to create a multifaceted business.
LoA met with Maria Natália João recently in Maputo, Mozambique to find out more….
What does your company do?
MNJ Eventos & Serviços, E.I. is a company dedicated to the coordination of events and provision of related services, namely:
• Master of Ceremonies;
• Event Mediator;
• Marriage Advisor;
• Promotion and Organization of Events;
• Panelist in Television Programs;
• Communication Advisor, among others.
"My entrepreneurial initiative started from childhood. I always had an inner strength that moved me to make things happen."
What inspired you to start your company?
My entrepreneurial initiative started from childhood. I always had an inner strength that moved me to make things happen, that gave me this spirit, flexibility and dynamism to run after my ideals and achieve my goals, turning them into reality. Specifically, speaking of my company, MNJ Eventos & Serviços, which appeared in December 2016 at a very critical stage in my life. I was going through difficult times and my predisposition and persistence in wanting to overcome was the key to the emergence of the business. In search of the energies and strength to overcome the difficult moments, I created a list that showed my qualities and, along with my active and strong personality, I aligned the useful with the pleasant and decided to invest in the branch of the events industry as Master of Ceremonies, Event Manager and Communication Adviser, activities that I performed without too much effort, and which also gave me the space to continue with my studies without interruption. I have been developing my skills further in this area (given that my background is in Economics), creating networks with the most experienced in the field, publicizing and expanding my area of work.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Customer satisfaction, the reason for our existence, is the purpose of the company. So, anyone should use our services due to our differentiation which lies in:
• Elegance, Exclusivity and Class
• Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Creative Energy: passion for the activities developed
• Freedom of Action
• Innovation (key element of the Creative Industries).
"Customer satisfaction, the reason for our existence, is the purpose of the company."
Tell us a little about your team
It is still being set up, with myself leading the company and having worked with the support of partners through networks and services.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I already had the characteristics of an entrepreneur, but they were asleep. The difficulties I had to face at the end of 2016 were the springboard I needed to realize how much I was able to go beyond and assert myself as an entrepreneur. It is well known that personal growth and development, according to Freud, comes from some shock that we have had at some point in our lives. It is the great stirrings that lift us up, if we know (of course) to use them positively for the edification of our own being.
Besides having a strong personality and natural characteristics for a potential entrepreneur (strength, firmness, focus, determination, persistence, flexibility, creativity, among others), I was always observant and had as references people that inspired me due to their life paths and way of conquering things.
My business journey has been arduous. I take full advantage of all the opportunities I have to expand and expose my business. I try to expand my circuit of influence and diversify the quality of the services I offer to customers. Every day is always a new challenge, one more goal to fulfill, more surprises, some mishaps, but with persistence, focus and determination, I can overcome any difficulty and go on. Well, that's what you want. Give up? Never!
"Every day is always a new challenge, one more goal to fulfill, more surprises, some mishaps, but with persistence, focus and determination, I can overcome any difficulty and go on."
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I always say that life is a surprise. Although we have very well defined plans, some things do not always happen the way we idealize. Still, I would like that MNJ Eventos & Serviços, E.I and its latest branch named MNJ Corporate can reach unimaginable levels, honestly. The success of these businesses is going to open up opportunities to further places, allowing us to branch out and offer greater diversification and quality of services to customers. Meanwhile, let's work tirelessly and with strength, faith and focus we will get there!
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
In short, it is to be myself!
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Believe in yourself and never let yourself down. Difficulties we all encounter, but the way we deal with them is what defines how strong we are, and entrepreneurship requires this: persistence.
Contact or follow MNJ Eventos & Serviços
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL mnj.eventos.servicos@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
So often in the world of entrepreneurship, it takes the vision, passion and energy of the founder to build a business that can go the distance and make a name for itself. These three traits Maria Natália João has in large quantities. She is building on her own personal strengths, specialist expertise and knowledge to cement her reputation in the highly competitive world of eventing. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa