Polokwane businesswoman, Charmaine Maine has the Midas touch
She is the founder of Charmaine Maine Travels, Short Circuit Engineering, Nhlangano Engineering, 22 Creatives Events as well as Peach Logistics
POLOKWANE – Businesswoman, motivational speaker and mother of two, Charmaine Maine from Polokwane aspires to inspire young women to dream big and work hard to make their dreams come true.
The founder of five companies, which were influenced by her passions in life, which are travelling and art.
“I am a former biker and I love and enjoy travelling, as well as exercising and bootcamp adventures, outdoor activities, including camping.
“I am able to challenge and push myself to work harder and achieve even better results than anticipated.
“After matriculating in 1996, I studied towards a diploma in management at Wits and thereafter studied towards my B Tech in marketing management at Unisa, as I am fulfilled by making and seeing new things happen and unfold, marketing gives me that platform.
“I am naturally creative, outgoing, customer orientated and business minded, and no other qualification could have been more suitable,” she explained.
The 40-year-old is still studying, this time, a diploma in civil and building engineering at Unisa, to help broaden and deepen her educational status.
“We need to lead by example, our children need to have positive role models, who genuinely work hard to become a success in life,” she added.
She is the founder of Charmaine Maine Travels, Short Circuit Engineering, Nhlangano Engineering, 22 Creatives Events as well as Peach Logistics which all interlink and are birthed as a result of her passions in life.
Peach Logistics being closest to her heart, currently offers transportation services to a well-known manufacturing and marketing company of FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) products in South Africa, and has been for several decades. “Peach Logistics was registered in 2013, however started operating in 2012.
In 2012, I had a building project, At Ka Mhinga within the Thulamela Municipality, after knocking on several doors in search of a viable contract, Tiger Brands opened its doors and gave me an opportunity to be one of their transporters.
“To date Peach Logistics owns two eight ton trucks and is still contracted with Tiger Brands,” she added.
She spoke to BONUS about some of the challenges that she faced, as with all businesses, good times and bad times are inevitable, however she says she is grateful for both the good and the bad times as they are learning curves, which anyone in business must see as stepping stones to success.
“As time heals, time also perfects and polishes skills, talent, hard-work, dedication and passion. I have a huge interest and passion towards my business and the equipment (trucks) to be specific.
“I fully understand the dynamics that comes with the business aspects, together with the technical aspects of the equipment. As a hands on person and a go-getter, over the years I have learnt and ensured that I understand both aspects so that I have a clear understanding of what is going on, I literally go out and search for parts on my own, if there is a breakdown, I check the condition of the vehicles myself and at times I am available at loading or off loading points,” said Maine.
Maine says that she ensures to build beneficial relations with clients and competitors in the industry so that she can fully enjoy being in the business as well as excel at what she does.
“Men are easy to handle, you respect them, give them the platform to be in control and shine, and they will teach you their trade, being business savvy I use the opportunity to excel.
“I aspire to grow Peach Logistics into a well-known, efficient, reliable medium sized logistics company within Limpopo, South Africa as a whole and neighboring countries such as Botswana, Mozambique and Lesotho,” she concluded.
She has created employment, as a result contributing to curbing the high rate of unemployment in the country, in her company she currently has two drivers and four crew members or assistants.
She encourages the community to keep a good attitude and always strive to do the right things, even when it is extremely challenging and keep your faith in the Lord, there is always a reward for honesty and hard work.
