Startup Story
Ornília Cândida Roseiro Artur Faife is the founder of EnviroWorks Solucoes Ambientais, Lda, a business located in Maputo City Centre which has 11 employees. It’s main customers are private and state entities. She is currently the manager of two companies: EnviroWorks Lda. and Connected Business Center, and is also opening a laundry in the Maputo province.
LoA chatted to Ornília Faife about her business, her ambitions for the future, and her entrepreneurial journey to date.
What does your company do?
We are a Mozambican company specializing in the area of general cleaning, post-work cleaning, disinfection of environments within the scope of Covid-19, solid waste collection, pest control and gardening.
“We pay special attention to all the services we provide. We guarantee a pleasant and safely clean atmosphere, and we use a personalized activity schedule.”
“We are a motivated team, we work for the same objective, and the work environment is pleasant because everyone knows what their tasks and responsibilities are. They are all super professional and know their job.”
What inspired you to start your company?
The pandemic that devastated us in 2020 inspired me to create the business, due to the fact that I wanted to better clean up places, companies and homes to prevent contamination of Covid-19. Also the fact that I saw more women could be entrepreneurial.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We pay special attention to all the services we provide. We guarantee a pleasant and safely clean atmosphere, and we use a personalized activity schedule. We also use biodegradable products and we guarantee that our services are aimed at the comfort, health and well-being of our customers.
Tell us a little about your team
My team is made up of 58.3% young people between 22 and 30 years old, and 41.6% between 31 and 44 years old. 33.33% of the team is made up of men and 66.67% are women. We are a motivated team, we work for the same objective, and the work environment is pleasant because everyone knows what their tasks and responsibilities are. They are all super professional and know their job.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I don’t come from an entrepreneurial background. My entrepreneurial journey started with the process of naming the company and legalizing it, opening a bank account, creating a website, corporate email, choosing a uniform, and every step I took was exciting for me. My dream was coming true. Then came the purchase of equipment and hiring. We started with 2 cleaning technicians who did all the services, and also an administrative assistant, together with myself as the Manager who did human resources, administrative, commercial and other work. We subcontracted the Accounting part because I always wanted to have organized accounting so I could compete in public tenders. We had our first contract in 2021 and we provided a once-off service to large companies. Today we have both large private and state clients.
“My plan for the future is to have representation in all provincial capitals, growth and development of the company and greater capacity to provide services for big projects.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My plan for the future is to have representation in all provincial capitals, growth and development of the company and greater capacity to provide services for big projects.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
My greatest satisfaction in being an entrepreneur is working on what I like, achieving my goals, being able to create jobs for young people, and contributing to the development of my community.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Make a business plan and define which services or products you are going to sell. Your business has to be aligned with your life project. Try to gather experiences with people who are already undertaking this business. Start with what you have available, don't expect big things to start.
Contact or follow EnviroWorks Solucoes Ambientais
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL niliafaife@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
Sometimes entrepreneurial inspiration comes from seeing a real need in your local community and then developing a solution to fit that need. That was certainly the case for Ornília Faife when she saw a gap in her local market for specialist cleaning services. Her business today has grown as she has filled that gap with high quality services and a customer centric approach. We look forward to seeing the business continuing to grow and create more jobs along the way. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa