Page 35 - KZN Top Business Women 2024

The people who stand forward in this race are the ones who understand

that one failure is just a stepping stone to another success.

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

Raksha LAGHARI | 33