Businesswomen share success secrets

"START a business with vision and not for the money. Money is a faithful servant of a vision and will follow the vision."

This was one of the pearls of wisdom imparted by charismatic and leading Eastern Cape social entrepreneur Nosi Ncoyo, who addressed a Port Elizabeth leg of the Women in Business Series 2013 at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Port Elizabeth last night.

Part of a country- wide series, the event was hosted by the South African Black Entrepreneurs Forum (Sabef) and Absa. It is directed at celebrating the achievements of businesswomen, motivating them further and at networking.

Now in its second year, the series has expanded from being held in six cities in four provinces last year to being staged in 14 cities in all nine provinces this year, Sabef executive director Matsi Modise said.

"The turn-out this evening is amazing. We have doubled the number of attendees from last year," he said.

The event formed part of Women's Month celebrations.

Ncoyo, who was born in Port Elizabeth, delivered the keynote address. She is the founder and managing director of Vision4 Academy, which is a skills development group of companies that have subsidiaries in recruitment, events, promotions and media.

She shared the podium with another inspirational Eastern Cape businesswoman, Nosipho Cadogan, who runs three family businesses specialising in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, among other services.

Ncoyo highlighted passion as another vital ingredient for success in business.