Page 53 - KZN Top Business Women 2024

Believe in yourself.

Don’t be afraid of hard work or taking risks.

Building a Dream Despite the devastation, Sugeshnee’s resolve remained
Managing Director, intact. “My husband asked, ‘What are you going to
Enermous Foam Tapes and Pressure Sensitive Having an entrepreneurial spirit was deeply influenced do?’ and I said, ‘We don’t have an option. We’ve got
Adhesives by Sugeshnee’s family, particularly her father. “He was people that are relying on me for a salary. And I’ve got
a businessman, and he got us involved in the family customers that are relying on a product. We start the
ugeshnee Naidoo is managing director of Enermous business from a very young age,” she shares. “That
Foam Tapes and Pressure Sensitive Adhesives. The sparked my interest in owning a business, and it grew business again,’” she recalls.
Scompany specialises in converting foam products into a dream.” While her parents played a pivotal role in Within a week, they were back to supplying customers.
and manufacturing pressure-sensitive adhesives used her life, Sugeshnee is keen to acknowledge her own self- Her efforts were recognised with several awards,
across various industries for insulation purposes. motivation. “I always look at the positive side of every including the Tenacity and Grit Award from the Durban
situation,” she says. “No matter what life throws at us, we Automotive Cluster and Champion Entrepreneur of
Her journey from a health crisis to becoming a thriving have to come out of it.” the Year.
business woman is inspirational. “I got married at a very
young age and started my family early,” Sugeshnee reflects. Sugeshnee views her business as more than just a As if the riots weren’t enough, Sugeshnee’s business
Juggling the responsibilities of being a wife, a mum, and a commercial venture. “It’s not just a business to me; was struck six months later by the devastating floods
career woman working for a corporate company, she was it’s personal,” she affirms. “My communication skills, in KwaZulu-Natal. “The entire business was floating in
also studying marketing. However, Sugeshnee’s life took a leadership, and the personal touch I bring to the business water,” she shares. Yet again, she and her team managed
sharp turn when she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. have been key to its success.” to recover quickly and resumed operations within days.
“To most people, that’s scary,” she admits. “For me, it was
just one of those things. You have to deal with it.” In addition to leading her company, Sugeshnee “Although it was a difficult patch, we made it, and we
is committed to making a positive impact on her ended up buying our own premises. Out of all the bad
The diagnosis forced Sugeshnee to leave her job, which community. “I’ve received numerous awards,” she says, that happens, there is good,” said Sugeshnee. “We had
presented both emotional and financial challenges. “but the biggest achievement for me is the impact I have no outside assistance, so we had to rebuild everything
With only one income to rely on, she found herself at on employment. Knowing that I’m helping someone on our own,” she explains. The experience, while
a crossroads. “I always wanted to own a business,” she raise their family is what really matters.” Her commitment challenging, strengthened her resolve. “It had a huge
explains. “I thought to myself, what do I do now?” Instead to social responsibility goes beyond just providing jobs. impact, but it’s grown us a hundredfold within ourselves
of succumbing to her health crisis, Sugeshnee saw this Sugeshnee partners with small businesses, donating and the business. We know we’re here to stay.”
as an opportunity. Despite the difficulties of starting a offcuts of raw materials for them to use in their production
business while managing her health and family life, she processes and mentoring them to help them grow. Looking Ahead
founded her company. Not only did Sugeshnee start the “It’s not just about being socially responsible; it’s about Sugeshnee’s goals for the future are ambitious. “We
business, but she went on to do a business management using my experience and being active in making them a have plans to double the employment levels at our
course studying through the University of Cape Town. success,” she states. factory in the near future,” she reveals. Her company is
currently engaged in export programmes and is looking
“It wasn’t easy being a mum, a wife, and starting a To young women aspiring to become business leaders,
to expand globally.
business while dealing with my health issues,” Sugeshnee Sugeshnee offers simple yet powerful advice: “Believe
confides, but she remained steadfast in her resolve. Over in yourself. Don’t be afraid of hard work or taking risks.” Despite her busy schedule, Sugeshnee finds ways to
the next 18 years, despite her illness, she ran her business maintain balance in her life. “I love gardening, cooking,
successfully, which opened many doors for her. Much of Running a business comes with challenges, but reading, horse riding and spending time with my family,”
her journey was driven by the need to show her children Sugeshnee faced two major crises that could have ended she says. Meditation also plays a key role in helping her
that “a diagnosis isn’t a death sentence” and that they her journey. “The hardest challenge was the July 2021 manage stress and maintain focus.
could still achieve their dreams. riots,” she recalls. “My entire business was burned to the
ground.” After 15 years of commitment, Sugeshnee saw As Sugeshnee continues to grow her business, she
Sugeshnee believes that her dream materialised for her everything she had built reduced to ashes. “We were remains dedicated to uplifting those around her, leaving
and that there’s a path for all of us. She added, “I’m so ready for our ISO accreditation; things were going well, an indelible mark on her community and the business
passionate about my business; it’s my baby.” and suddenly, it was all gone,” she says. world alike.

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