Companies in the IT sector have long built a reputation for finding solutions to many of the business challenges we face today, but Niche Integrated Solutions is an IT company with a difference, thanks to its founder Nisha Maharaj. It has genuinely found a niche for itself in a highly competitive sector, and as a result, is not just building a rapidly growing and successful business, but it is also positively impacting on the lives and businesses of others.
LoA spoke to Nisha this month to find out more about her entrepreneurial journey and how she is making a difference in both technology innovation and empowering other entrepeneurs in the country.
What does your company do?
We bridge the technology gaps in South Africa through global leading software solutions and advanced IT skills. We also empower entrepreneurs with the basic skills that enable them to start up their own companies and lead them successfully.
"Not only did I decide to follow my instincts, I am also also making a significant difference to the South African context of technology innovation and to empowering entrepreneurs through their entrepreneurship growth programme."
What inspired you to start your company?
I decided to start my own business a short while ago and, by chance, stumbled into the world of business in Technology Software and IT services. All my consulting assignments led to problems around operational efficiencies which only technology could solve. In the business arena of South Africa, there are a few gaps in technologies so I researched the globe to find solutions that could bring value to South Africa and was very fortunate to have cultivated partnerships with some of the global leaders in technology! Niche Integrated Solutions has made headlines since our first year of operation and saw success instantly. Not only did I decide to follow my instincts, I am also also making a significant difference to the South African context of technology innovation and to empowering entrepreneurs through their entrepreneurship growth programme.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Our products are globally recognised, they are highly accredited with numerous high profile awards, our solutions are all end-to-end and they help organisations to improve efficiencies whilst radically reducing IT spend.
Tell us a little about your team
We are a team of women and entrepreneurs who want to delve into their own IT businesses at a later stage. We have immense experience in financial services and telecomms and bring a wealth of experience in this domain.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I never intended to go into an IT business - I started off what was intended to be a consulting practice with the aim of helping organisations improve efficiencies. By a natural process, my consulting assignments led to technology innovations and we made a business of this. Now we are leading the best technologies in the world to SA/Africa, a niche arena which only we play in. We recently won the SA Business Womens Association Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year awards 2015, last year made the qualifiers in TT100 SA, and are finalists in the Sanlam Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 competition.
"We bridge the technology gaps in South Africa through global leading software solutions and advanced IT skills. We also empower entrepreneurs with the basic skills that enable them to start up their own companies and lead them successfully."
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
We aim to expand to all cities in South Africa, and shortly into Africa.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Being able to plan my days, being able to make a difference to technology innovation in South Africa, and being able to touch the lives of Africans daily.
"...once you have embarked on this path, do not turn back - brave it out and fight to achieve your desired objectives" - Nisha Maharaj
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Women do not know the power that they have until they put it to test. Women are resilient, stronger than they themselves know, and can take the pressure of being a parent, a business women, a wife and all other roles in life.
My only advice is that once you have embarked on this path, do not turn back - brave it out and fight to achieve your desired objectives by fully understanding what is that one goal in your life that you aspire to.
Contact or follow Nisha and Niche Integrated Solutions
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | EMAIL nisha@nicheintegrated.com
Why LoA loves it….
Nisha Maharaj is one of those truly instinctive entrepreneurs who has found a genuine niche for herself and her company in what is a highly competitive business sector. By doing so, she is innovating and providing much-needed technology solutions to address key challenges, whilst at the same time providing other entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills they need to grow. During her short entrepreneurial journey to date, she is already making a huge impact and is definitely a woman entrepreneur to watch. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa