In each issue of Sibo-Lifestyle Magazine, we celebrate individuals that dream big, pursue their dreams and are pursuing success on their own terms. I’d like us to learn from them, to see how like us they are or how they differ from us. For us to see what we can do differently or continue to do to pursue our own dreams and success. This month Florah Chizana gives us a glimpse into her life.
Florah Chizana is an impressive woman on the move who wears so many hats, she leaves you wondering, how does she do it? She is an entrepreneur and interior designer who runs a company in the male dominated industry of construction. As if that wasn’t enough, she went ahead and got herself a class 2 driver’s licence to drive trucks! “Women can’t do this and can’t do that,” Florah’s answer is “challenge accepted.” She is a fearless go-getter. She is also a pastor, a writer, a mentor, a wife and a mother.
With all that she still finds time to run her blog: Confession of an African Pastor’s wife, where in her words, she “writes to articulate the intricacies of different aspects of life in a way that is honest, yet uplifting, to express things that people are too ashamed to talk about yet are suffering silently as if help is not available.” Now roll up your sleeves and let’s find out how Florah Chizana makes it all happen.
Where are you from and where do you currently live? If not your country, how did you end up in the country you’re living in?
I am originally from Tanzania but I was born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe. I currently live in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Tell us about your childhood. What was life like for you growing up?
I am the last of 4 children from my mother. I was born in the latter years of my father’s career as a government official seconded by the government of Tanzania to Zimbabwe. However, that life quickly changed after my father’s retirement. I enjoyed school. I was competent in my studies (I was in the first class) but not so much on the sports-field. I enjoyed swimming and made it into the school swimming team in grade six, at about 11 years old. I loved church. I was “Miss remember every bible story and memory verse.” I was quite shy and timid around adults, but was loud and boisterous when I was with my friends.
Growing up, did you imagine you would do the things you’ve been able to do in your life?
Growing up, like most children I wanted to be a doctor. Looking back, I wanted to prove my academic ability and I thought the only way to do that was to become a doctor. Construction was never introduced to me as a career. It never even entered my mind. I definitely was artistic as I learnt this from my parents, but art was “not a profession” as I was told.
So far, what are you most proud of achieving in your life?
I am not proud of a thing, in so much as I am proud of my journey. I have been able to do brave things like get a class two licence (to drive trucks,) use power tools or personally build a wall. I have been trusted to create and recreate spaces that my clients are proud of. I am proud of creating jobs for people.
What did you do before what you’re doing now?
Before construction and interior design I owned and ran a retail shop that sold baby and maternity wear.
What are you currently working on?
Currently I am working on a 17-unit townhouse construction project in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
What made you decide to start Pendeza Construction? How did you come up with the idea and why that in particular?
The journey into construction started when my husband and I purchased our house. It was an old dilapidated house in a good area, at a good price. We engaged an architect and builder and I loved the whole process. I loved the smell of cement. I began project managing for different companies and grew in confidence to start contracting for work on my own. I did a few courses in interior design and project management. I also started a Diploma in Civil Engineering.
How did you become a pastor?
My husband has been a pastor for 18 years, so after we were married I was a pastor by association and function. I was only ordained, personally in 2019.
Are you currently working on other things as well, if yes, what?
I definitely have other projects, namely book writing, blog writing and a language app.
What do you enjoy about running your own business or working on your own projects?
I enjoy the flexibility, quick decision making, working on my own terms and shaping something.
What have you found to be difficult or challenging in running your own business?
I have found managing cash flow to be difficult because of the feast and famine cycle of construction.
How has COVID-19 affected what you do and what have you learned as a result?
COVID-19 induced lockdowns have slowed a lot of progress. We rely on approvals from the City Council so if their offices are closed or officers are in the office on rotation it delays progress. Work cannot progress during total shutdowns as construction is not an essential service. I have learnt to use time more wisely and more effectively, to get as much done as possible because delays are inevitable.
If someone wanted to start their own business or project, what insights would you give them?
Starting a business is linked to the growth of the entrepreneur. It is a journey of faith because no matter how good your business plans or your forecasts are, you really do not know what tomorrow holds. Every day you open your doors or place that advert you have no idea whether anyone will come in or respond. Talk to people and let the market guide you on how to position your business for success. Your business must be meeting a need. Know your competitors but most importantly know your customer. Know what your customer can afford and supply them at that price, as long as you are making enough money to reward your effort. Persevere. Know yourself – your strengths and your weaknesses. Maximise your strengths, hire someone or hire out what you are not good at. Having said that, understand money. Understand how to calculate whether you are making money or not. Know how much you need to sell to meet all your costs (to keep afloat.) Know how much you need to sell to make the profit you want. Be unashamed to sell and talk about your business. If you are ashamed, then you are not in the right business for you.
Do you have dreams, goals or a vision for your life?
Yes, I do have them.
Have you recorded the above in any way? If yes, how?
Yes, I have recorded my dreams and vision in a vision board and a vision letter.
Have any of your dreams or goals come true or been achieved?
Oh yes, they have. The townhouses we are now building were first written in my journal and then put on my vision. I wanted to start a blog and I did. I wanted to mentor and train young people and I have managed to do that on different forums.
What drives you in life? What keeps you going?
I am a Christian. God is my number one purpose and ambition; to know Him more and make Him known. The word of God keeps me on track. I know that I am alive at such a time as this for God’s purpose.
What does success look like for you?
Success is knowing that I am in alignment with God, where he wants me to be and doing what he wants me to do.
Have you ever failed at something or not achieved what you hoped for? If yes, what happened and how did you handle the situation? What kept you going?
As I mentioned before, I owned and ran a retail shop. I closed it after I suffered a burglary. Even though I lost stock, I was already struggling to keep afloat. My rental was excessively high for the traffic in its location. I sold premium brands so my target market was small and thus their demand was not enough to sustain the shop with such a high rental. I closed shop and either sold the remainder of the stock from home or gave away as presents. I realised that I had misread the market and had not balanced the product, price, place and promotion of marketing strategy and also balanced to turnover/sales and overhead cost of accounting (my first degree is in Business and Entrepreneurship: ouch!) I have kept the dream alive in my heart and know that I will re-launch it sometime in the future because it still has market validity (plus it is on my vision board!)
What places have you travelled to?
I have been to Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Zanzibar, Dubai, Isle of Man, UK, USA, Canada and France.
What did you love about the places you’ve travelled to?
I enjoyed the different cultures, food, sites and recreational activities.
What has been your most enriching travel experience and why?
I enjoyed Zanzibar. We travelled there as a family. I realised that the paradise we seek is just outside our door step. It did not cost us very much either. It felt like home. Let us explore the beauties of Africa.
What have you learned from your travel experiences?
My USA experience was particularly insightful for me. New York is beautiful but felt like a big machine that just swallows up people and makes them a slave to a well-oiled system. I appreciated the laid-back sense of space and ability to chart your own course, entrepreneurially, in Africa. I also learnt that other countries are good at marketing themselves. The Mona Lisa is nothing like the movies portray her (it is a small painting, A3 size at most.)
Are you in any way or form taking care of or feeding your mind, spirit, body and soul? If yes, how are you doing that?
I have a routine I keep. I exercise most days. Honest prayer and bible reading form my spirit and soul care routine.
How do you show yourself love, if you do that?
I have struggled with this. My first step has been fighting against toxic thoughts. Primarily not to tell myself I cannot do something. I have refused to be my own enemy. I will be my best ally; always trying to find a way to make good things happen for me.
Do you have a morning routine? If yes, what does it look like?
Morning Schedule
5.00am – Wake up, pray and read the Bible
5.30 am – 6.00am – Exercise or 6.00am – 6.40am
6.40am – 7.00am – Bath and get ready
7.15am – Drop off kids
7.45am – Arrive at work
Do you have any people you consider role models? (Living or passed on) If yes please name 3.
T.D Jakes (Pastor and business person,) Myles Munroe, Steve Furtick, among others.
What 3 books have played a role in your personal development and growth?
Hunger for Reality by George Verwer, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker, The Jesus I never knew by Philip Yancey and Instinct by T.D. Jakes.
For someone at the beginning of pursuing their dreams, what book would you suggest they start with? Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker.
If you were to be well known for something, what would you want it to be? Or how would you want to be remembered at the end of your life?
My life is so multifaceted that to condense my life to one thing is quite challenging as different people know me in different spheres. I would want to be known as fearless. Things and circumstances change but I want that all I do and be, to be characterised as fearless. A person that lives beyond the bounds of safe and normal, but always reaching out for more; to be better, do better and make things better for my fellow mankind.
What life lessons or thoughts would you like to leave the reader with?
Submit your life to God. Dream with him. Let him lead and direct you. God may take you on a seemingly long route but focus on the lesson, the person you are becoming and the competencies you are picking up along the way. Nothing is wasted.
How can readers support you or your work if they would like to do that?
Read the blog and buy a townhouse from Pendeza Construction when they are ready!
My blog is: Confessions of an African Pastor’s wife
Website: https://florahch.wixsite.com/website
My Facebook page: Florah Temu Chizana
My Instagram: Florah Chizana
