Startup Story
Lindiwe Masuku is the founder and ceo of Frotcom Botswana (Pty) Ltd, a fleet management solutions entity whose head office is currently in Gaborone but which services clients from all over the country. She is a business professional with a Degree in Business Administration, currently pursuing her master’s in business administration and management with the University of East London. Lindiwe has 16 years' experience in Business Management having worked in Finance and Administration before forming Frotcom. Her entrepreneurship journey began in 2019, but months later the Covid 19 pandemic started, and despite the challenges Frotcom has had to emerge as a solution post Covid 19, used by reputable entities across the country. The business has created jobs for 9 people.
LoA spoke to Lindiwe Masuku about her entrepreneurial journey, her passion for problem solving in the marketplace, and her vision for the future.
What does your company do?
Frotcom is a fleet management solutions company that specializes in identifying client problems in fleet management. Our clients picks tools they require from us from a variety of our range which include real-time fleet management, fuel management, driver management, security management etc. The tools are automated to client's needs in turn helping companies control fleet operational costs, scale up operation, customer relationship management, and also manage drivers and vehicles and equipment. Frotcom is currently used by small, medium and large entities. Frotcom prides itself in its reliability solution which is functional 24/7/365, choosing and working with the best, its world class telematics system continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs.
“Frotcom prides itself in its reliability solution which is functional 24/7/365, choosing and working with the best, its world-class telematics system continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs.”
“Entering the entrepreneurship space in the pandemic and still emerging can never be underestimated. It has been a journey which comes with a lot of challenges and a lot of growth too.”
What inspired you to start your company?
The ability to lead and manage to fully utilize my experience and also create employment opportunities for others. For personal development and fulfillment. In my employment journey, I led a lot of initiatives and at times was limited to my job description, but the entrepreneurship journey will be limitless. To explore opportunity and fully utilize my talent gifting and expertise.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We are product oriented; our products are chosen and give the best; we close some of our market gaps with tailor-made solutions. We are 100% purely dedicated to solving problems.
Tell us a little about your team:
Our team is divided into three key segments. The technical team which compromises of certified engineers, these are experts in technical installations who are in the field. We have the support team which is responsible for ensuring the solution is created according to client's needs, they have expertise in information technology and also provide support to clients. We then have the marketing and administration team who offer support services to the company.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
It’s been an uneasy journey but I'm sure the leadership experience and exposure has been of good use. Entering the entrepreneurship space in the pandemic and still emerging can never be underestimated. It has been a journey which comes with a lot of challenges and a lot of growth too. Navigating from being the chief operations, chief finance, chief human resources manager, chief marketer and chief compliance officer and change of industries. Being in our 5th year of operation we have experienced growth throughout the years. Strategy is very key and continuity processes. Resilience and continuity have seen us through. We deliver regardless of what happens. My father was an entrepreneur, he also became an inspiration. Discipline, resilience and reliability are qualities every entrepreneur needs. The ability to see beyond the now and transform problems into opportunity.
“Discipline, resilience and reliability are qualities every entrepreneur needs. The ability to see beyond the now and transform problems into opportunity.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
We have to become the market leader in fleet management solutions. We will venture into other areas within the fleet and transportation industries.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Fully utilizing my gifts without restrictions or limitations, seeing new opportunities from daily experiences. Navigating the ever-changing world and still managing. No comfort leads to growth and self-actualization. There are traits and qualities I never thought I had but are manifesting every day.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Start now - it always looks complicated and will be complicated, but if you have a plan of action (strategy) it will always work out. If you lack discipline and resilience, entrepreneurship isn't the place to be. if given the opportunity, over deliver ,over service, and always be reliable and innovative because the world is changing. Opportunity doesn't come dressed as opportunity, it presents itself as challenges - we have to undress it to find opportunity.
Find out more:
Email: lindiwe.masuku@bw.frotcom.com
Website: http://www.frotcom.com
Why LoA loves it…
Finding solutions to key problems or identifying gaps in the marketplace, are a good starting point for any business. Lindiwe Masuku is building a growing business that turns problems into opportunities in the world of telematics, working with clients to better manage their transportation fleets. She is laser focused on providing solutions to key challenges, building a team that delivers a world-class service. A growth business to watch over the next few years. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa