Page 3 - KZN Business Sense 10.5 Lead story Raksha Laghari- eBook

UNYIELDING COMMITMENT

TO GROWTH

aksha Laghari, director, admits. “But I’ve learned every
co-founder, and CEO of aspect of that business—from
RAML Group, has built a managing the workforce to the
thriving business empire. With machinery we use. I’ve made
ventures ranging from cement mistakes, but I’ve also learned
distribution to mining and from them.”
logistics, her story is one of hard
work, vision, and an unyielding The Next Vision
commitment to growth. Looking to the future, Raksha
Raksha’s journey with AML asks, “Why do we need to import
started off as a cement wholesaling nails from China when we have
and distribution company dealing the resources to produce them
with local giants like Afrisam locally?” My next vision is to
and PPC. But she explains, “We support South African companies
quickly branched off into other and invest in local production to
locally produced hardware and reduce our reliance on imports.”
construction materials.” This Raksha’s advice to young women
expansion included collaborations entering the business world is
with brands such as Marley Raksha Laghari, the founder, owner and CEO of AML Distributions leads the largest cement and building materials grounded in realism. “Be prepared
Roofing, Etex Building Systems, distribution company in South Africa. for hard work, sleepless nights,
and Corobrik and equipping yourself with
Over time, AML diversified its Raksha’s academic background challenges. That’s how AML I wasn’t sure at the outset,” she new skills,” she advises. “It’s all
portfolio to include a logistics has played a pivotal role in her has grown.” confesses. “But as the business about you in the beginning days,
division. What began with just business success. With a BA For Raksha, AML is not just grew, the legacy grew with it.” and no matter how much effort
two trucks has grown into a Law degree from the University a business. “I don’t see AML as Operating in male-dominated you put in, you’ll probably feel
premium fleet of over 50. “Today, of Natal and further studies in just a company,” she explains. “I industries like construction, like it’s never enough. But if you
our logistics division is extremely Dublin, where she qualified as often talk about my AML family logistics, and mining, Raksha persevere, you will eventually see
crucial to our core business a legal executive, she attributes because I’m highly motivated has faced her share of challenges. the fruits of your labour.”
because you can’t get materials to much of her journey to the skills by them. I want to keep them all “There are very few women in She encourages women to
customers without a truck,” she gained from her education. “I have employed, growing, and happy.” these sectors in South Africa,” she embrace failure as part of the
states proudly. this firm belief that if you can Her leadership style is rooted in acknowledges. “In the early days, journey. “The people who stand
read and comprehend, you can forward in this race are the
The expansion didn’t stop there. do anything,” she says. “As long the belief that success comes from it was harder to be taken seriously.
AML also entered the mining as you can understand what is empowering the people around But with time, perseverance, and ones who understand that one
industry, with a focus on dolerite before you in an educated manner, her, a lesson she credits to her first knowledge, you make inroads.” failure is just a stepping stone to
production in Northern Natal, you will probably be able to equip employer, Niall Sharon. “Niall Raksha’s commitment to another success.”
supplying construction projects yourself with the skill set required taught me to grow the people understanding every aspect of Raksha’s journey with AML
across the region. Raksha beams for any endeavour.” around you and make them feel her business has been a key factor is not over. “I feel like I’m just
with pride as she describes their important,” she recalls. in overcoming these challenges. getting started,” she admits.
success: “We are one of the few This philosophy has guided her This sense of responsibility also “Elon Musk once said you “There’s so much more I want
suppliers of dolerite in the area.” through the many challenges of stems from her relationship with don’t need to know everything to do in South Africa, for South
AML has further diversified into building a business from scratch. her father, who was her first role to build a business—you just Africa.” With a clear vision and
the ready-mix concrete business, Raksha is quick to point out that model. “He never held me back need to employ people who do. an unwavering commitment
a sector where they have earned a she didn’t come from a privileged from asking questions,” Raksha But I’ve never agreed with that to her family, community, and
reputation for premium quality. financial position. “We didn’t reflects. “We would often talk statement,” she asserts. “You business, Raksha is undoubtedly
start with money behind us,” she need to have the fundamental shaping a lasting legacy. 
Testament to Growth explains. “The journey has been about bank documents and legal knowledge to operate your
jargon when I was just 10 years
Perhaps the most significant about finding a vision, realising old. Watching him overcome business, and once you W: www.amldistributions.com
testament to AML’s growth is its our goals, and adapting our challenges inspired me to follow in understand that, you can bring in
venture into construction and strategies to forge ahead.” his footsteps.” professionals to help you grow.”
real estate. The company has “In the beginning, I didn’t One of her greatest
firmly established itself across have the vision I see myself Growing a Legacy achievements, she believes, is
multiple sectors, with Raksha at living today,” she admits. Raksha’s determination to leave becoming one of the few female
the helm, guiding the business “But once one vision was a legacy behind has always been miners in South Africa. “The
through its various stages of accomplished, a new one at the forefront of her mind. mining industry was completely
development. emerged, and with it, new “Whether it’s a small or big legacy, new to me two years ago,” she

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