Breaking the glass ceiling: The story of Synthia M...

Breaking the glass ceiling: The story of Synthia Mhere

Audrey Galawu

The Motor Spares Industry was known to be a man’s world. It has always been traditionally dominated by men in the past years. Even now, most motor spares businesses are owned by men. Women are there but most of them as employees and not owners.

Synthia Mhere is one of the few women who managed to establish their own businesses in this industry as difficult as it might be.

When she started working in the motor spares industry there were a few women working there with a few to none women owning businesses.

Driving change in the industry, Synthia is an example of the importance of investing in women and empowering them. She is proof that gender is not a barrier to success.

“When I started working, there were few women working there and I knew only two women who had their own established businesses.

“The absence of women in this industry motivated me, I told myself that I would one day have my own business and also that I would employ women only and be the best in that male-dominated environment.

“For the company I was working for at the time, I was doing spares for small cars, right now I only do buses, trucks and caterpillars and machinery. I aimed the best that even the men in the industry don’t understand,” Synthia said.

Starting her own business, Synthia decided to go to school and learn more. She had to surround herself with people who knew better than she did.

With persistence and endurance, she managed to create her own brand in her own capacity.

Although she has established herself, the difficulties of being an entrepreneur are always there.

Along with growth and success, comes challenges, which she has to continuously deal with.

From lacking capital, being undermined and asked sexual favours, Synthia said her faith in God keeps her going. She has to constantly remind herself of the progress she has made so far and her vision.

“Being a woman being in a male-dominated environment is really difficult especially when you are starting out. You have to work twice as hard to get established as a brand that clients can trust.

“When my business is not doing well, one thing I do is keep my faith. As a God-fearing woman, my faith in God keeps going, I always tell myself that God has never forsaken me and as long as I do my best that a human can possibly do, then I leave the rest to God. My motivation is never depleted because always tell myself that I still have a long way to go and a lot to accomplish.

“Also, the lack of capital is one of the main challenges that we face in our industry. It is rather impossible to get a loan for your business especially when you don’t have anything tangible to give as collateral. The people who give out loans outside of banks demand more than 25% interest per month, if you borrow US$1 000, it means you must pay back US$1 250 which is a lot and in our case, when we order our spares, we receive the orders after a month or two. So, we are always in a rat race of paying debts.

“As a woman, you get asked for sexual favours from others who have the capability to lend the capital you need, so at the end, we do not reach for the goals we have set for ourselves,” she explained.

She highlighted that in her business, one thing that is non-negotiable for her is quality. She always strives to provide the best, “Quality is essential because the spares I sell will be attached to buses that carry people and trucks that carry people and machinery that people work with. I always make sure everything is genuine”.

To the young women who want to be entrepreneurs, Synthia says: “Go for it, do it, believe in yourself. But be prepared, financially, spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Study, research and know everything that you can before you start and learn other things as you go from experience. Learn from the people who inspire you, learn from those around you. Don’t be afraid and you will go far”.