BUSINESSWOMAN and entrepreneur, Melissa Constance, is not only living her dream, but she has been given the opportunity to increase her knowledge by jetting off to India next week to a Global Entrepreneurship Summit.
Melissa said she always wanted to be in the engineering field and although she applied and was accepted to study at the then University of Natal after finishing school, she couldn’t afford the fees. She didn’t let go of this dream, however, and when she found herself unemployed in 2013, she decided to take the next step and achieve her goal of starting her own company.
“I have really come full circle from when I was younger. I was excited to start my own company, Meco Electrical, which is based in Umbilo. I’m now where I always wanted to be, working for myself and creating employment for other people, especially women, “ she said.
When she was a member of the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa, she attended a mentorship programme for women entrepreneurs in 2015. It was through this that she was approached by the Durban Consulate to apply to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India.
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“I forwarded my information, and from this, five people are selected. This then goes on to Washington and I was given the link to apply internationally. Only 10 women are chosen nationally, and I was selected as the only woman in KZN to attend, which is very exciting! “ she said.
Melissa will arrive on 27 November and the opening ceremony and gala dinner, which is addressed by the Prime Minister of India and Yvanke Trump, will be on 28 November. The summit will be three days long.
“This is not only about me, I want to get the message out that women in South Africa can sustain themselves in a male-dominated industry. My company is a 100 per cent black female owned contracting company offering energy efficient installation, wiring, repair and maintenance, definitely a male industry! I aim to pave the way for other young women who want to make this their career choice. I want to grow as an entrepreneur and feel that when you empower a woman, you empower a community, “ she said.
Melissa said she is still trying to get her head around the great opportunity she has been given and said shehas been preparing herself for it.
“It has taken a lot of work and I have been preparing myself for this. I am filled with gratitude as you don’t get this sort of opportunity every day! I want to use this to gain as much as I can, especially on a global scale. The world is becoming more accessible and the opportunities are endless. I had no idea I would get this far, but it was a dream in my heart and now I know dreams come true!“ she said.
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Melissa is married to her husband Clint, and has a 24-year-old daughter, Tayla, who is also forging her path in the media and marketing world. Her son Ethan, (15), is a learner at Embury.
“It’s interesting for my children to see their mom living her dream and I’m excited to share this journey with them, teaching them that anything is possible if they work towards it, “ she said.
Melissa is empowering herself further by studying towards her MBA in project management, and said research is her pass time.
“My passion is women in business and exploring their challenges, mentorship opportunities and financial hinderances. I enjoy engaging and networking with women. I love to spend time encouraging women and I live each day to the max! “ she said.
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