Finding the right property for your business or personal needs can be a stressful and time consuming process, and one that requires specialist expertise. In Angola, entrepreneur Zilia Ximenes, founder of Zximenes – Imobiliária, is helping her clients with all their property needs, bringing her personalized approach and specialist experience to every job.
LoA chatted to Zilia this month in Luanda to find out more.
What does your company do?
My company, Zximenes – Imobiliária, is a specialist Real Estate Agency, specializing in property sales, rentals and evaluation.
“My products are not special, they are houses, apartments, offices and land. What is special is the way I’m driving the business, the way I care about every single person. It does not matter if they have a huge budget or a small one, I treat everyone the same way.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I was really tired of changes in the business environment in Angola. Some of the changes I felt uncomfortable with and did not speak my voice. I did not make things my way. And then I started thinking that I could open my own business first of all: I’m a hard worker, I know the market and know people... so why not?
Why should anyone use your service or product?
My products are not special, they are houses, apartments, offices and land.
What is special is the way I’m driving the business, the way I care about every single person. It does not matter if they have a huge budget or a small one, I treat everyone the same way. I always try to find a solution for them.
“My journey as an entrepreneur isn’t easy especially in Angola, as the market here is mostly male. That means I always have something to prove and have to be very tough sometimes.”
Tell us a little about your team
My team is basically me, but I also consider my team those who help me in my business, for example, I have an external accounting company which I really trust because they do an amazing job. I also have an external company I work with on all my digital matters called Gsmart - they are a start-up as well, but they are very good.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
No, I’m not coming an entrepreneurial background. My journey as an entrepreneur isn’t easy especially in Angola, as the market here is mostly male. That means I always have something to prove and have to be very tough sometimes. When I started my business adventure, my goodness, I was so scared everything was on my shoulders. There was no salary every month, and everything was uncertain. There were times when I thought my goodness, how am I going to pay the rent for the month? Now it’s time to pay the car insurance how am I going to do it? But fortunately I had people who gave me all the support I needed, especially at that time I didn’t see much outcome.
“I really want to build an established company first in Angola and then to expand to Africa and eventually elsewhere in the world. I want to grow bigger and stronger, but in the right way, I would like to make alliances between countries. I believe that together we can go further.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I still have to grow so much! But I really want to build an established company first in Angola and then to expand to Africa and eventually elsewhere in the world. I want to grow bigger and stronger, but in the right way, I would like to make alliances between countries. I believe that together we can go further.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Oh, that’s a good one! The freedom to speak my ideas and put them in practice. The freedom to say I believe in me, I’m not going to give up!
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Be patient and resilient, don't give up... starting a business is not easy but if you have the courage, in the end everything works out.
Contact or follow Zximenes
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL zximenes@zximenes.com
Why LoA loves it….
No-one ever said being an entrepreneur was easy, and one of the key traits of any successful entrepreneur is the ability to be brave, tenacious, and keep going when things are challenging. Zilia Ximenes knows at first hand how to build a successful business in a tough market environment by creating a client-centric, personalized experience that is based on good practice. She has a big vision for her business going forward and is building strong foundations that will stand her in good stead as the company grows. — Melanie Hawken, founder & CEO, Lionesses of Africa