Startup Story
Those special occasions in life deserve a beautiful, custom made piece of jewellery, and in Botswana, entrepreneur Nametso Matlhaga, founder of Matthan Jewellery Collection, is making memories come true. Her team of craftsmen transform every client’s personal design ideas into bespoke and highly individual pieces of jewellery, making every piece memorable.
LoA found out more about this growing, specialist business this month from founder Nametso Matlhaga.
Tell us about yourself
I am a young female entrepreneur with a decade of successful experience in the jewellery manufacturing and retail business. I successfully completed the 2018 Tony Elumelu Foundation entrepreneur training programme and am a beneficiary of such. I regularly attend various start-up exhibitions and other events that support entrepreneurship and leadership growth. I am strongly for entrepreneurship, women empowerment, mentorship and a believer in positive thinking.
“Matthan Jewellery Collection manufactures jewellery using precious metals like gold and silver, and precious and semi precious stones.”
“My business is very special to me because we allow our clients to design exactly what they want their unique piece of jewellery to look like.”
What does your company do?
Matthan Jewellery Collection manufactures jewellery using precious metals like gold and silver, and precious and semi precious stones. We also do jewellery repairs and polishing. The business started in 2010 and today we have 5 employees.
What inspired you to start your company?
At the age of 13, I used to go to my uncle’s workshop to see how they made rings, and I got very inspired particularly when I saw the clients’ faces upon seeing the end product made for them - it pushed me to also work along that line. Just seeing my clients’ smile in amazement at what they see is wonderful.
What makes your business, service or product special?
My business is very special to me because we allow our clients to design exactly what they want their unique piece of jewellery to look like. We involve them from the very start of the production process, right through to the end when they see the finished product. We create unique pieces to fit the individual taste and style of our clients.
“We create unique pieces to fit the individual taste and style of our clients.”
Tell us a little about your team
My team is amazing. I have a beautiful soul working as a sales assistant, her smile gives you a warm welcome to our store. Also our workshop men who get to design exactly what our clients are looking for in their unique pieces of jewellery.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
From a young age I knew in my heart that I am an entrepreneur. I was always involved at my dad’s law firm, though I knew nothing about law. I would read and try to copy how they write or prepare their cases, I would wear his court costume, and as I went to my uncle’s law firm, I was always in the workshop asking questions and also trying to make a sale. I first started my entrepreneurial journey by moving up and down with a catalogue looking for clients, by then I had finished my Cambridge qualifications. I made a few sales that led me to open my mini shop in 2010. My business really developed in 2018 when I got startup funding from government after many years of trying my luck. On 22 March that same year, I got selected for the Tony Elumelu entrepreneurship programme, and that opened my eyes to a whole lot of things regarding business, management, branding, and I can say their 12 weeks of training and mentoring was amazing.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My future plan is to have a big firm that manufactures and sells to retail shops, and to have branches in three amazing countries - I’m targeting Rwanda, Kenya and Nigeria, and I have already started working on my Nigeria project through Melmos Global Investment(Pty)LTD. This business will also include jewelry making training programmes.
“My future plan is to have a big firm that manufactures and sells to retail shops, and to have branches in three amazing countries - I’m targeting Rwanda, Kenya and Nigeria.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The positive response I get from my clients and my community. It gives me reassurance about what I am doing. I also get satisfaction from the peace of mind I have, even when things are not making sense at the time.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Start, even if it doesn’t make sense. Don't wait for someone to tell you when to start. The right time is Now! Listen to your instincts.
Contact or follow Matthan Jewellery Collection
FACEBOOK | EMAIL nametsoram@yahoo.com
Why LoA loves it…
Some entrepreneurs are born, others are made - Nametso Matlhaga is definitely one of those women who was born to fulfill her entrepreneurial dream, and she is certainly doing that right now. Her customer centric approach to creating beautiful memories for her clients through the jewellery they have a hand in designing, makes the experience even more special. Her business growth aspirations are equally impressive - definitely an entrepreneur to watch over the coming years. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa