Page 11 - KZN Top Business Women - eBook 2023

I’m a firm believer that if you are committed to succeed,

you will, regardless of what challenges you face.

She added that she always dreamt of being in the Just do it
Owner of Kwality Home and Dealer Engen
petroleum industry. However, there are only 4% of
uShaka Service Station Shaz loves to see women succeed and would like to assist
dealers nationwide that are female. Shaz applied to in uplifting women on their path to success, especially in
become a dealer in 2015 with no experience in the
hahzaadee Ballim, or Shaz as she is known, is the industry, she had to jump through some hoops to do the fuel industry, which is steadily growing. Her advice to
mother of two wonderful children and the wife young women is, “Just do it, don’t be afraid to take the
S of an amazing, supportive, strong husband, and so. In 2017 Shaz became the proud owner of the Engen risk. I truly believe that dreams do come true because I
at uShaka in KwaZulu-Natal.
partner for life. have seen it with my own eyes.”
Shaz is a passionate businesswoman, with her heart Bold calculated steps Shaz added, “Dreaming is one thing, but you need to
in multiple enterprises. She comments, “Sometimes I “You could say my business achievements are a result genuinely believe that you deserve what you want, and
wonder where I find the energy to do it all. But I am of bold calculated steps, faith, and also just sheer you have to back yourself. It can feel like shark-infested
truly business-minded and I’m driven by passion which, circumstance, which required a ‘sink-or-swim’ approach,” waters out there and you are your only chance at survival.
I believe stems from having an entrepreneurial family said Shaz. “Fortunately, I am someone who thrives under Be positive, get ready to be uncomfortable, and just dig
as well as growing up and learning at my grandfather’s pressure but taking over my father’s business was pressure your heels in and all will happen for you.”
wholesale business and in latter days, my dad’s business.” She added that she owes a lot of her success to her
of a totally new kind. I would say I got to where I am today
The two businesses closest to her heart are Kwality because of grit and the sheer determination to succeed. I father, who was her biggest supporter and to a strong
Home and Engen uShaka Service Station consisting of a simply could not give up because I had many people who mother. “Similarly, she wants to leave a meaningful
quickshop and Steers franchise. relied on me, not just my family but also all the valuable legacy for her kids. “I’d like them to know and aspire to
staff members already employed by the business. I’m a be entrepreneurs and to make a change in this world
Shaz inherited Kwality Home from her dad after he fell ill and to know that nothing is impossible. I want to show
and sadly passed away. The company imports, supplies firm believer that if you are committed to succeed, you my daughter that a woman absolutely can do anything
and sources tableware, homeware, as well a wide range of will, regardless of what challenges you face.” and be happy doing it.”
finished goods and absolutely anything their customers Aside from the sad loss of her parents and being thrust
require, who are large multinationals such as Walmart, as into the family business with little experience, the Balance and self-care
well as smaller independent retailers. challenges Shaz has faced are not dissimilar to those of Shaz commented that while it may seem impossible to
“My journey was quite complicated,” explained Shaz. most business owners. Even though owning a fuel station juggle the role of wife, mother, and businesswoman, it is
“I’m an only child. I was studying when my dad fell ill. may seem a pandemic-proof business it isn’t, and Shaz possible although it takes a lot of hard work. She wants to
Halfway through my studies I had to come into the had to find a way to carry on. She had to battle the odds show her children that balance and self-care is important
family business. I was fairly young, but I knew that I had with ongoing road closures and terrible storm damage too. Shaz’s family is her support structure. As they lift
to step into his shoes and try to continue, which was not to her property. Cash flow is always a challenge; Shaz each other up, she makes time to give back to them,
an easy journey.” has been able to grow her businesses due to strategic which means spending quality time together as well
planning and deliberate action to keep afloat. looking after herself so she can be at her best for them.
An achievement that is close to Shaz’s heart, is that
she was not only able to step in and restart her father’s On a personal level, she says that entrepreneurship is “There’s not much spare time once you’re an entrepreneur,
business but has grown it. “The business is steadily often a lonely pursuit; it’s late nights and early mornings; but you have to make the time. I would say that the
increasing, and that is an achievement considering the it’s trading the things you want to do for the things you solution is to build a business that’s strong so that you
challenges almost all businesses have fought through simply have to do. can take the time that you need to deal with your kids
in the last three years,” explained Shaz. The 35-year-old In the future, Shaz wants her businesses to continue to and other demands,” she explained.
business is now able to get anything you need from thrive and grow.; to find new ways to generate revenue In conclusion, Shaz says that it is a wonderful honour to
anywhere in the world. and also to empower others to do the same. be part of the KZN Top Business Women.

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