EMALAHLENI – “Start with what you have and do not wait until everything is perfect.”
For Elizabeth Skosana, these are more than words of encouragement. They reflect the philosophy that has guided her entrepreneurial journey, one that has seen an idea develop into a hospitality business with ambitions extending beyond its own doors.
Skosana is the founder of Bedford Guesthouse, situated at No. 14 Bedford Street, Deljudor 1, next to Klipfontein. Through the establishment, she hopes to offer visitors a place where they can feel comfortable, safe and at home, while contributing to the local economy and creating opportunities for those around her.
“I have always believed that entrepreneurship is about more than simply running a business,” says Skosana. “It is about identifying a need, finding a solution and creating something that can grow and make a difference.”
That belief drew her towards entrepreneurship and ultimately shaped her decision to enter the hospitality industry. She saw an opportunity within Mpumalanga’s tourism and hospitality sector to build an establishment that could serve visitors while creating something sustainable for her family.
“I wanted to build a business that could serve visitors while creating something sustainable for my family and contributing to the local economy,” she says.
For Skosana, one of the most rewarding parts of the journey has been watching that vision become a reality.
“My biggest achievement has been seeing Bedford Guesthouse grow from an idea into a real business that welcomes guests and creates value,” she says.
“Building something from the ground up requires patience and perseverance, so being able to look at what we have created today and know that it came from a vision and a lot of hard work is something I am very proud of.”
But behind that achievement lies a journey that has tested her determination. As a woman in business, Skosana says she has had to work harder to have her ideas taken seriously and prove herself in spaces where women may not always receive equal opportunities. Balancing business responsibilities with family and personal commitments has presented another challenge.
“I have overcome many of these challenges by remaining persistent and refusing to allow difficult circumstances to define what I am capable of achieving,” she says.
Her experiences have taught her to ask for help, learn from others and remain committed to improving herself and her business. They have also changed the way she understands failure.
“Setbacks are not necessarily failures; sometimes they are lessons that prepare you for the next stage of your journey,” she says.
For Skosana, being a woman in business is not only about creating a path for herself, but also making that path wider for others.
“Being a woman entrepreneur means having the courage to create your own path while opening doors for others,” she says.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is straightforward: begin with what is available, learn continuously and remain committed.
“Learn as much as you can about the industry you want to enter, understand your customers and be prepared to work hard,” she advises. “There will be setbacks, but do not allow them to convince you that you are incapable.”
Skosana believes women should look at tourism and hospitality not only as industries in which they can seek employment, but as sectors where they can establish and lead businesses. She says opportunities stretch across accommodation, food services, events, travel, marketing and tourism experiences.
“Women have the ability to create businesses that not only generate income but also create employment and opportunities for other women,” she says.
Her vision for Bedford Guesthouse is closely connected to that broader economic picture. She sees every guest as part of a wider tourism ecosystem, with visitors potentially supporting local restaurants, transport providers, shops and attractions during their stay.
“We see ourselves as part of a much larger tourism industry that has the potential to create meaningful economic opportunities in the province,” says Skosana.
She is equally passionate about ensuring that the guesthouse remains connected to its community.
“We believe that a business should not operate separately from the community in which it exists,” she says.
For Skosana, supporting local economic activity and working with local businesses and service providers are ways of ensuring that the success of Bedford Guesthouse extends beyond the business itself.
As Women’s Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and resilience of women across South Africa, Skosana says it is equally important to remember those who paved the way for the generations that followed.
“It is an opportunity to celebrate women, but also to encourage one another, create opportunities for each other and ensure that the next generation of women has an even stronger foundation to build from,” she says.
When the pressures of entrepreneurship become overwhelming, Skosana returns to the reason she started.
“When things become difficult, I remind myself that building a business is a journey and that every successful business has challenges along the way,” she says.
Her motivation comes from the people who believe in her, the desire to build something meaningful and the possibility of creating opportunities for her family and community.
“Do not underestimate yourself or wait for someone else to give you permission to pursue your dreams,” she says.
She also encourages women to support one another, celebrate each other’s achievements and recognise that success is not a limited resource.
“One woman’s success does not take away from another woman’s opportunity to succeed,” she says.
For Skosana, the journey is still unfolding. Bedford Guesthouse is not simply the result of an entrepreneurial decision, but a reflection of her willingness to take an idea seriously enough to pursue it.
