Renny Letswalo’s first entrepreneurial venture was opening a guest house and mobile Thai Spa in her late 30’s. “I realised my entrepreneurial muscle later in life, but despite the late start, I am excited to keep learning,” says Letswalo. Her latest business venture as health and lifestyle coach and managing director of Cambridge Weight Plan Southern Africa was born out of her passion to help others be their best.
“When I struggled with my weight and health, I looked around for solutions and couldn’t find any that really could help. I was then introduced to Cambridge Weight Plan by a colleague who had just gone through a transformation themselves. I then went through the program, and it really helped me deal with my health and weight problems. When I realised that there is a solution that doesn’t only give you hope but is effective and delivers real results, I became a consultant for Cambridge Weight Plan and later then decided to re-establish the business in Southern Africa,” says Letswalo.
Letswalo’s vision is to help a million men and women overcome obesity and fulfill their potential for holistic health and wellness. Letswalo’s plans also involve using her weight and health company as a vehicle to develop skills for young South African’s to start and operate sustainable businesses. Cambridge Weight Plan Southern Africa invites young individuals who wish to operate their own Cambridge Weight Plan Centre, to apply for the partnership opportunity. These individuals will be provided with support, skills and tools to kick start a successful business operation.
Renny has had extensive corporate experience over 25 years, up to executive management level, in a variety of industries from the motor industry, to clothing retail, financial services and oil & energy, in major companies such as VW, Edgars, Absa and BP. She has excelled in retail operations, marketing and business management as well as people development. Her experience in all these areas gives her an in-depth knowledge and skills to develop a business model that young South Africans can use to establish a successful sustainable small business.
The journey so far
For Letswalo, the journey has been about small beginnings. She is re-establishing Cambridge Weight Plan Southern Africa from ground zero and would like to see it grow exponentially, not only in South Africa but in neighboring countries.
“Even with a few hurdles that I’ve had to overcome when establishing the business, I see more opportunities everyday”, says Renny Letswalo.
What keeps you motivated?
“I am glad to wake up every day with my vision of helping millions to be healthy while also assisting young people develop their businesses,” says Letswalo.
I have also been motivated by all the other entrepreneurs who run Cambridge Weight Plan in their various countries, who shows me that a small business can be made sustainable success.
Which entrepreneurs do you look up to and why?
“I look up to people like Richard Brandon who always shows us that they started brands like Virgin from small beginnings and kept on going; and have taken many steps and risks to grow their different ventures. I also look up to entrepreneurs who are not know but in the little fields and corners make a difference to others and provide solutions to people, while they feed themselves and their families,” adds Letswalo.
The greatest lessons learnt
Letswalo believes vision and focus have been her biggest learnings. “You need to take little steps everyday towards your vision. No matter how difficult, just take the step even if you don’t see results now, take the step.” Letswalo is clear that she is realistic about the challenges that still lie ahead.
Words of wisdom for other entrepreneurs
Letswalo advises other entrepreneurs not to embark on the journey alone but to rather learn from others and seek their advice. She also recommends seeking out the help of a coach. “There are number of people that are my mentors, from my friends that are woman entrepreneurs to other entrepreneurs that have made it big as well as start-ups still trying to establish their businesses,” Letswalo also follows the lives of other entrepreneurs for inspiration.
What in your opinion makes an entrepreneur successful?
Letswalo believes there are 5 main things that she has learnt from other successful entrepreneurs that she applies in her life.
- Pursue a business that you passionate about, something you truly believe you are called for. Something that you love that even when the chips are down you won’t give in. You must be clear what that is and clearly develop this as your life mission.
- Learn everything about your field of business and make yourself an expert in that field and the related parts of that business.
- Apply what you learn everyday
- Measure the application of your leanings through results
- Repeat the learning, application and measurement – again, again and again.
“We all have opportunities to create jobs and improve our standard of living,” says Letswalo.
