Breaking Barriers: How Tapiwa's Triumph Embodies Entrepreneurial Grit and Spirit
BizSkills For Good Inc.
Helping Sustain One Under-represented Community Business at a Time.
Today, I am very excited, and I might write a very long article about why! This is one of the most complex yet fulfilling accomplishments I have personally contributed my two cents to. So, kindly bear with me.
May 4th, 2024, has gone down as the best day for BizSkills For Good Inc. ’s life, and in my professional journey as a social entrepreneur. This is because Tapiwa Musewe has officially launched her optometry business, Draga Vision Care and Kuwona Inc., a journey that saw many ecosystem partners team up to help acquire Draga Vision Care through @SWOBEN ecosystem in the presence of the Empowerment Squared SWOBEN, an initiative run by Empowerment Squared in Hamilton. Present were the Empowerment Squared leadership and Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario | Agence fédérale de ... Hon. Filomena Tassi .
Context and Background
BizSkills For Good Inc. has been hired to deliver services to Empowerment Squared . This is an organization that is led by some of the best leaders I have personally met in my lifetime. Leaders such as Leo Nupolu Johnson , Mark John Stewart, ICD.D , Francoise Y. , Colin Grimmond , Cherie Warner-Richard , Cladette Uyigue , and many more others.
They have given the BizSkills For Good team opportunities to work on an initiative that aligns with my passion as a social entrepreneur. It also hits home for many of our team members. An incredible team of people without whom this would never happen. So, thank you Iyanu Oyebode, MBA for your leadership, Ndane Ndazhaga , Jasmeen Hayer , and Vijay Badhani for lifting us up through this work. Whenever I drive to Hamilton from Kingston, just like yesterday, I am always treated like royalty - I am asked to ask for everything I need to make my stay and work as comfortable as it can get. Thankfully, it has mostly been on a weekend!
The Southwestern Ontario Black Entrepreneurship Network (SWOBEN) is a program developed and run by Empowerment Squared and funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario | Agence fédérale de ... through the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund. The goal of the Ecosystem Fund is to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs and business owners across Canada. SWOBEN was designed to be an ecosystem of partners and resources and therefore we are lucky to collaborate and work with the best organizations like WEtech Alliance , BLK OWNED , and Innovation Factory So, we are really in the company of amazing service and resource providers.
What Do We Do at BizSkills For Good?
We are a social enterprise dedicated to supporting underrepresented professionals through a caring ecosystem that guides and mentors them to acquire and sustain businesses. Our personalized approach empowers these professionals to kickstart multi-generational wealth and achieve entrepreneurial dreams, one step at a time. We're committed to making a positive impact on their entrepreneurial journeys.
Finally, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reports that over $2 trillion in business assets could change hands within the next decade as over three-quarters (76%) of small business owners are planning to exit or sell their businesses. So, Tapiwa's story is one that hits the crossroads of what is actually happening in the post-pandemic Canadian economy in terms of both opportunities and challenges.
Who is Tapiwa?
Tapiwa Musewe is a visual healthcare professional (Optician in Canada, Optometrist in South Africa). She has taken a great interest in the marketing, design, manufacturing, and dispensing of contact lenses as a medical device. A detailed understanding of the principles of optics and the visual system paired with an in-depth knowledge of ocular pathology has created a unique appreciation of the ocular industry, according to Tapiwa herself.
When Tapiwa Musewe returned to Canada, she worked at Georgian College and later provided mobile ocular care to people at home through her other company, Kuwona Inc.
Long story short, Tapiwa joined SWOBEN – and of course, she was one of the cohort members we were lucky to be facilitating. Then, something miraculous happened. Tapiwa learned about a business that was being sold in Hamilton, and she was pumped-up to go and chat with the owner, Ms. Draga herself. Ms. Draga, the previous owner of Draga Vision Care , an entrepreneur whose heart matched her business acumen as well as entrusting Tapiwa as the right person to carry on her legacy.
Among all the potential suiters, Ms. Draga chose to wait for the right successor for her business, and that successor was none other than Tapiwa. This wasn’t just good timing; the whole process took more than 10 months. Ms. Draga could have sold her business to any other willing and ready buyer of which there were many; it was destiny. This partnership was a match made in heaven, a deal meant to be, despite the odds stacked against Tapiwa. In January 2024, the business acquisition took place, and on May 4th, 2024 – it was the official opening of Tapiwa’s business to the public. This is why I enjoy my trip to Hamilton!
领英推荐
About Tapiwa’s Newly Acquired Business
Draga Vision Care is a local Hamilton business dedicated to providing ocular care services and quality eyewear and contact lenses to people from all walks of life. The business carries a large variety of designer frames for both eyeglasses and sunglasses.
Their team will give you tips on caring for your lenses and frames and learn about the benefits of bifocals, progressives, high-index lenses, prescription sunglasses, and contact lenses.
Website: https://dragavision.ca/
Phone: 905-560-9999
Why Is This Experience Fulfilling?
This story sheds light on a broader issue as the transition of what is currently happening in the Canadian economy as highlighted by the CFIB report we shared above.
Being given an opportunity by Empowerment Squared to play a role in this process is not only fulfilling but it is my reason for being. Why I do what I do. It plays right at the center of what I enjoy doing as Norman, which is what makes me wake up and feel excited about the day; every single day. Knowing that I am going to be involved in something really challenging but equally fulfilling is a thrill that ignites my drive, creative process, and excitement.
Today, I am more than ever inspired and convinced of the power of human connection and the spirit of never giving up. Tapiwa Musewe could have tapped out, but she refused to give in. Her 2 AM grind writing the business plan, strategizing on how to conduct conversations with banks and other partners, her willingness to take advice and execute… I can go on and on.
She has finally made it count, and we are here now.
“Tapiwa and Draga Vision Care – May You Prosper, May the Blessings of the Almighty Be With You.”
Let’s continue to support each other, believe in the improbable, and turn it into reality.
#EmpowermentSquared #BizSkillsForGood #BlackEntrepreneurship #FedDevOntario #HamiltonOntario.
Written by,
May 5th 2024.