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Emang Rabogadi is the founder of Stars revealed, which is a program that hopes to empower and engage young people into acting on their goals. She also motivates young people on social media platforms and a small business owner.
City where you’re from: Gaborone, Botswana
Hobbies: Reading, politics, debate, swimming and singing
Favorite quote: It is better to try and fail, than to fail to try.
Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur?
I have always had the urge to become an agent of change. Contributing with whatever I have has been a part of my growing up, mainly because of my mother. When I first came to Australia, I owned a shoe business to supply to Botswana and around Australia. The business was essentially for pocket money to support my parents, as they support me with my living expenses. After that, curiosity led me into network marketing and other small businesses haha.
Who were your biggest influences? Was there a defining moment in your life?
My biggest influence has always been my mother. She is a problem solver, and her positive mindset allows her to view things from a positive perspective when she faces challenges. My dad is also a hardworking person and generally have a very supportive family.
The defining moment was getting the opportunity to come and study in Australia, since it was always a goal. It allowed me to broaden my mindset and to explore my abilities through volunteerism.
What are you working on? How did you come up with this idea?
I am working on a ‘community organisation’ that will be based on the internet..Haha. The first step was to create a blog, the blog features entrepreneurs, fashion lovers, athletes and artists around Botswana. This is to create a networking platform for young people, and to also promote local services and products to the globe.
How is your product/service different and unique?
I believe it is different as it will be based on the internet to allow more people to be reached. My long term goal is to have a TV show/Youtube channel that will discuss issues that we have as a country, and to create a platform for young people from all over Africa to come together and become problem solver with the information I will gain from the youth. This is to look at problems in the continent, as well as to show the young people that they can still make it by sharing inspirational stories.
What has been your favorite moment with it? What’s the vision?
My favorite moment has been to see the support I got from the community. Also, the fact that taking the first step allowed me to come up with other ideas to help it grow like having documentaries of Africans who moved from other countries around the continent to Botswana, in order to exchange culture and to learn more about other countries so as to improve the connections for future leaders. My vision is to see a connected Africa, I believe the power is in the young people. I believe social media platforms have the power to engage and network young africans with a voice to better the continent. I also hope to work with people from all over the World to promote young people, and invest into the knowledge and upbringing of our younger generations. I grew up in Botswana, so i can relate more to the problems they face and hope to be an agent of change with the knowledge and skills i get from studying in a first world country, like Australia with vast amount of opportunities and also through travelling all around the world to meet up with empowered and motivated young people who will help me grow. I hope to gain enough knowledge to discuss with our leaders back in Botswana, in order to have policies that are essential for development.
If you do Facebook ads, what types of creatives/campaigns do you use (we like specifics)? If you don’t, what untapped marketing channels do you take advantage of?
I rarely use facebook ads, however when I do I like to focus on location and age group. Since my whole idea is based on the youth. I target people who have an age ranging from 15-34years. I also use instagram and facebook to market my idea by being consistent and engaging the youth through topics of debate that could possibly lead me to wanting to find solutions. This helps me get an idea of what young people take interest in, as well as explore other platforms like twitter and Youtube. Instagram is good as you can get people engaged through hashtags and good quality pictures. Being consistent in your posts also helps people to take interest in what you are doing.
Did you experience failure along the way? What did you learn from it?
Yes, failure is part of it all. Failure helps me grow. I like to look at my mistakes and find possible ways of how i can improve and become better at what I do.
It also taught me to plan ahead of time, and to take more risks believing it will all work out in the end.
Value-add questions
Give the readers the best entrepreneurship advice you have.
Believe in your ability to achieve your dreams. Taking the first step enables you to learn more about your strengths and weaknesses. Find your purpose and live to serve it.
What daily habits do you have that allow you to perform at your peak?
I have a diary where I write everything down. This diary helps me to plan my days ahead and have a schedule of tasks I have to complete on a daily basis. This helps me to stay focused and prioritise. It also enables me to see where I went wrong, and how i can go about solving the problem.
What should an entrepreneur focus on?
The main goal. Understanding the purpose of your goal helps one to keep pushing no matter how difficult the path gets. Being optimistic and motivated throughout the pathway of achieving your goals helps you to not give up when you face challenges along the way.
Walk us step-by-step through the process that you had to go through to get from the early stages to where you are today.
I had to first identify my purpose. I then started volunteering and becoming part of many community activities. I volunteered as a student mentor at college, to help during orientation and was later chosen to be a student representative at the student liaison board as a student Ambassador. This helped to improve my confidence, my leadership skills, working well in a team and to meet people from all over the world. I then became more passionate and worked with organisations that help minority groups across Australia, and also groups that aim to motivate the young people through conferences and networking seminars. I was honoured to travel to Macedonia last year at a Networking forum, that brought together young people from all over the world mostly from Europe. We discussed social and economic issues. Networking led me to being chosen to represent international student at the Queensland parliament, where the topics were unemployment and problems faced by young people in Australia, particularly QLD and how we can solve them as young people. I have also worked with aboriginal children in organisations that help build broken homes by providing them with psychological help as well as activities on a monthly that bring them joy and happiness e.g park games, beach visit and many more.
What are some of your favorite books?
The Success principles by Jack canfield, Nelson Mandela and Kevin Trudeau. I like reading biographies.
Where do you see yourself and your product in a couple years?
I hope to become a member of parliament back in Botswana, an activist for human rights and a medical researcher. Stars revealed will hopefully grow into an organisation that will feature young people from all over the World, to create a bigger network as we celebrate the success of the youth.
Thanks for the opportunity!
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