The Entrepreneur

 

Exclusive Interview

Greetings Zimbabwe  and welcome to our first edition of The Entrepreneur,  an interview segment where we focus on Christians doing business in and outside Zimbabwe.

We want to learn how they are doing it, help market their business and support each other as Christians in business. 

Our correspondant Ronnica Mhike (RM) caught up with Paradzai Chiridza whose brand name is Mudhara Para (MP) and filed this interview.

RM: Would you tell us more about your business. When and where did you start your business?

MP: Well, my company name is PARAETH Pvt Ltd T/A Optical Frames Express, the company was established in 2014 though I was working as a consultant by then.

RM: How did your start Optical Frames and Prescription lenses, and what inspired you to develop your idea?

MP: When I qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 1994 I worked for Opticare Opticians till 2000 then I migrated to Botswana were I worked for 12 years, so when I came back in 2014 I was advised by a friend of mine that I should register a company then I  get employed as a consultant so I worked for PSMI in the Optometry Division from 2012 to 2014 then when I left PSMI I was a consultant working for Optinova Eyecare. 

RM: So nenyaya yekudzvinyirirwa panyaya yesalary.

MP: I decided to quit in 2017 April they started working full time for Optical Frames Express.

By then I was working from home.

RM: Do you have employees, if so how many?

MP: Currently we are only 3  my wife, and my son but looking forward to add more employees Mwari vakatitungamirira nehurongwa huri pamberi pedu.

MP: I can say I was pushed by my wife to quit the job though I was a bit hesitant.

RM: Thats nice family yega...how is it working with your wife and son?

MP: With my son its fine but you know working with wife and the relationship I have with my patients.

RM: Who are your customers and how is your relationship with them?

MP: I started serving people who were close to me and going forward I started getting referrals, I have a very good relationship with my patients. I'm also serving all Salvation Army officers.

RM: What challenges are you facing as an entrepreneur?

MP: The most challenges is lack of capital, lack of collateral required by financial institutions etc.

Yaah capital is a great challenge for most people and absence of proper industrial regulations.

RM: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

MP: In the next 5 years we see ourselves as a one stop shop where we will be doing all refractions and fitting of lenses.

RM: Are you into cash  carry, laybye or instalments or credit on 0 dollars while I have my lenses?

MP: In God we trust and in business we pay.  I give credit to only to selected people, laybye and instalments while we keep the glasses we also do.

RM : What advice can you give someone who wants to venture into your line of business or any other business?

MP: The advise I will give  is venture into a business you are familiar with and one you have passion in.

Haikona kungoona kuti Mdara Para vanenge vari kuita mari wobva watoti ndaakudawo kuita zvemaSpecs iwe usina kana knowledge.

RM: Thank you so much for your time, may the good Lord bless you and your family business, more customers your way, all your wishes upon your business be fulfilled.

RM: Zimbabwe lets support Optical Frames Express and where can one find you, where are your offices?

MP: We are at corner Jason Moyo and Leopold Takawira Street in Harare, number 32 Barts House, 2nd Floor, room 215.

RM: It was a pleasure hosting you Mdhara Para tichauyawo kuzotenga magirazi.