Businesswoman produces local petroleum jelly
Beatha Shitemba talks about being one of the first women to manufacture petroleum jelly in Namibia.
Desiree Gases
Pull Quote: “I have over 15 years’ working experience in corporate, have a law background and I am well versed on how a business should be run” – Beatha Shitemba
Beatha Shitemba is the oldest of five siblings. Shitemba attended primary school in Oranjemund, thereafter went to Centaurus High School in Windhoek. She started her career at a small business straight out of school where she learned the ropes of running a business.
Shitemba is the founder of Nels Babies. She manages the daily operational activities of the business as well as the strategic functions. She has two interns who report to her and assist in terms of marketing.
Nels petroleum jelly is already on the shelves in outlets like Spar, and it will soon be distributed across the country. The petroleum jelly is affordable and it can be used by adults as well as babies.
“My son, independence and fulfilment are what inspire me daily,” Shitemba says.
She founded Nels Babies after giving birth to her son, because she wanted the flexibility to spend quality time with him.
She says she was pushed to think of a sustainable business that has growth potential. Due to the increasing middle class and high birth rate in Africa, she decided to venture into a business that manufactures baby and children’s products. The aim from the beginning has been to diversify and produce as many baby products as possible.
She set out to make Nels petroleum jelly after realising that most baby products used in Namibia are imported and it is also one of the cheapest products to manufacture.
She says, “I am a self-starter and very independent. A lot of the skills that I have are self-taught. I personally built my company website which has an online shop where customers can directly make payments on the website.” Shitemba manages all the company’s social media accounts; she sourced an invoicing system that helps her with her bookkeeping and she personally sews most of the linen in her home office.
“I have over 15 years’ working experience in corporate, have a law background and I am well versed on how a business should be run,” she says.
When Shitemba started Nels Babies, she initially only sold things like nursery accessories but then decided to diversify by adding petroleum jelly. She adds sunflower oil and shea butter to the product to make it even more moisturising.
“Fulfilment and purpose will always be the highest accomplishment. In terms of challenges, saying no and sticking to your guns is one of the hardest. Asking for help and lack of support comes in second,” Shitemba says.
Pull Quote: “I have over 15 years’ working experience in corporate, have a law background and I am well versed on how a business should be run” – Beatha Shitemba
Beatha Shitemba is the oldest of five siblings. Shitemba attended primary school in Oranjemund, thereafter went to Centaurus High School in Windhoek. She started her career at a small business straight out of school where she learned the ropes of running a business.
Shitemba is the founder of Nels Babies. She manages the daily operational activities of the business as well as the strategic functions. She has two interns who report to her and assist in terms of marketing.
Nels petroleum jelly is already on the shelves in outlets like Spar, and it will soon be distributed across the country. The petroleum jelly is affordable and it can be used by adults as well as babies.
“My son, independence and fulfilment are what inspire me daily,” Shitemba says.
She founded Nels Babies after giving birth to her son, because she wanted the flexibility to spend quality time with him.
She says she was pushed to think of a sustainable business that has growth potential. Due to the increasing middle class and high birth rate in Africa, she decided to venture into a business that manufactures baby and children’s products. The aim from the beginning has been to diversify and produce as many baby products as possible.
She set out to make Nels petroleum jelly after realising that most baby products used in Namibia are imported and it is also one of the cheapest products to manufacture.
She says, “I am a self-starter and very independent. A lot of the skills that I have are self-taught. I personally built my company website which has an online shop where customers can directly make payments on the website.” Shitemba manages all the company’s social media accounts; she sourced an invoicing system that helps her with her bookkeeping and she personally sews most of the linen in her home office.
“I have over 15 years’ working experience in corporate, have a law background and I am well versed on how a business should be run,” she says.
When Shitemba started Nels Babies, she initially only sold things like nursery accessories but then decided to diversify by adding petroleum jelly. She adds sunflower oil and shea butter to the product to make it even more moisturising.
“Fulfilment and purpose will always be the highest accomplishment. In terms of challenges, saying no and sticking to your guns is one of the hardest. Asking for help and lack of support comes in second,” Shitemba says.
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