Don’t make ‘pour’ decisions, drink Phetolo Riley Wines
Melida Ngoasheng from Ga Molepo, Mankgaile started Phetolo Riley Wines (PRW), naming it after her son Phetolo, as an investment for his future.
POLOKWANE – “The wine is the birth of the Ngoasheng legacy,” she says.
The idea of starting a business came when she was enjoying wine with friends.
“I always wanted to invest in a business but I did not know where to start.” She was mainly encouraged by the fact that she wanted to leave a legacy for her children.
In 2017 she conducted her research even though she had no resources to start a business, but she managed to raise money when she was working as a business consultant and for a political party. “Last year when I resigned I had a bit of resources and information, and I decided to use this to start a business.”
PRW has been operating since last year but the brand was introduced earlier in 2020.
She said the grapes that she uses to make wines are sourced from vineyards in Stellenbosch, and that was also her biggest challenge, to raise enough money to buy resources.
Ngoasheng shared some of her business tips.
“Firstly, do your research, know your target market, always ask when you are not sure and find a mentor.”
She advised young people who want to be in business not to chase money.
“Starting a business is not easy, it is not for someone who wants to become rich overnight. You have to know that along the way, you will come across many challenges, keep pushing because nothing comes easy, it is not an easy road but you will get there in the end,” she said.
She believes that in the next two years her product will be sold both on national and international level.
Currently PRW is manufacturing dry red wine but Melida is looking forward to expand her brand in the near future.
For orders you can contact her on 079 273 6204 or melida.lekganyane@yahoo.com. They deliver for free in Polokwane, and courier to other parts of the province and country.
