BOLD Veuve Conversations: Nomndeni Mdakhi
Bold as a way of being:
Agenda Women’s Nomndeni Mdakhi shares
the highlights and challenges that have shaped her career
As a panelist of the 2021 Bold Conversations by Veuve Clicquot experience in Johannesburg, Agenda Women founder Nomndeni Mdakhi says that the female economy will continue to grow in the 21st century. The experience was attended by 50 of SA’s leading women entrepreneurs and a further 670 women virtually via live stream.
We spoke to this formidable businesswoman about the findings of the Veuve Clicquot International Women Barometer, her participation in the Bold Conversations by Veuve Clicquot experience in Johannesburg and how the findings debated relate to her own inspiring entrepreneurial journey.
Q: Bold Conversations by Veuve Clicquot aims to embolden successive generations of audacious female leaders in South Africa, can you elaborate further around the purpose of the platform?
A: Bold Conversations by Veuve Clicquot is a platform perfectly suited to celebrate and amplify bold and visionary women who embody Madame Clicquot’s values and ambitions. I have always believed in the importance of highlighting successful women from all walks of life in order to inspire and encourage other women to make audacious moves towards their dreams and vision.
Q: Madame Clicquot’s story is one of boldness, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit and she is known as one of the world’s first businesswomen. Please tell us a bit more about Madame Clicquot and how her legacy sets the stage for the brand’s support of women entrepreneurship, to this day?
A: I have been fascinated by Madame Clicquot’s story for a while now. I am big fan of woman owned and led brands. We don’t put the spotlight on their stories enough. Women have been championing change for decades. Can you imagine the challenges that Madame Clicquot faced when taking over the business from her father in law? And she didn’t stop there, she then set out on a bold mission to raise the position Veuve Clicquot from New York to Saint Petersburg. To build a brand that outlives you by generations is no small feat and it was a woman who achieved this. For me, the Bold Conversations by Veuve Clicquot don’t only pay homage to her story but they inspire us to BE BOLD and DREAM BIG.
Q: The Veuve Clicquot 2020 Barometer, conducted as the COVID crisis exerted pressure on global cultures and economies, updated the status of women entrepreneurs across the world. It has provided the community with a rare tool: a true understanding of the state of woman entrepreneurship. Which are some of the statistics that really stand out for you?
A: I was thoroughly amused by this finding:
60% of women feel that it is much harder for a woman than a man to balance work and family life, as an entrepreneur (55% of men agree) as they face an age-old problem … balancing work with their other full-time job: caring for their family
This is an interesting finding which further highlights how priorities amongst genders are still influenced by societal norms or at least, according to the way we believe things should be. I also recognise that women can be extremely hard on themselves and often don’t have healthy expectations of what is possible when they enter the workplace. In having said all of this, the workplace has a long way to go in understanding how to create an environment that is inclusive for all participants.
We’re interested to hear your detailed views on the topics debated during the Bold Conversations by Veuve Clicquot experience held in Johannesburg:
TOPIC 1: Overcoming barriers to entry to women entrepreneurship and inspiring a new generation of women entrepreneurs
Barometer finding: 60% of women feel that it is much harder for a woman than a man to balance work and family life, as an entrepreneur (55% of men agree) as they face an age-old problem … balancing work with their other full-time job: caring for their family
Q: Do you agree that it’s harder for a woman than a man to balance work and family life? How do we overcome such an age-old barrier to entry?
A: It’s very interesting because I actually elaborated on my thoughts regarding this particular finding at the experience, as follows:
I think the meaning of work life balance is very different for men and women. I am quite curious to hear what men mean when they talk about work life balance. I also have a negative affinity to the word balance. I am not sure what the state of balance looks like or that it even exists. One of the things we have done at Agenda Women when discussing issues of balance is to use the word HARMONY with a strong focus on SELF CARE. I believe that words are powerful and they shift how we contextualise our experiences.
TOPIC 2: Leveraging opportunity in times of crisis and the impact on leadership in times of challenge
Barometer finding: 59% of women entrepreneurs report growing more confident in their business dealings, and 63% say they're more professionally bold than before the crisis (male entrepreneurs agree about equally)
Q: Do you feel more professionally bold now than before the crisis? How did navigating the challenges build you as a leader?
A: I never saw 2020 coming but I will always be grateful that it came. I was at a personal and professional crossroads and the pandemic forced me to jump, to make a decision, to move, to develop a level of courage I did not even realise I possessed. The pandemic forced us to go on a strategic hurdle and quickly make a call on what the future of the business would be. This is something that had been percolating for some time and the shift to digital forced us to be bold, quick and agile.
TOPIC 3: The role of networking and mentorship in an increasingly digital business environment
Barometer finding: 90% of women and 90% of men agree: mentorship is key for anyone who aspires to entrepreneurship. Wantrepreneurs (92%) and entrepreneurs (92%) confirm this belief
Q: Did you have (or do you still have) a mentor? What impact did they have on your business journey? Please elaborate on the concept of mentorship and how it applies to you and your business.
A: I have been very fortunate to have had mentors throughout my entrepreneurial journey. I am the sole owner of both my businesses and my mentors have served as sounding boards, strategic partners and advisors along the way. I am a big believer in mentorship. A lot of them have also acted like sponsors where necessary, speaking about my business in rooms I was not in. I think of my mentors as my informal advisory board, I credit a lot of my success to their guidance and sponsorship.
TOPIC 4: The importance of resilience and the ability to adapt in a new age of entrepreneurship
Barometer finding: Women increasingly say they're the ones in control of their professional destiny (+3% to 96% in this study), fewer report feeling undeserving of the professional situation (-6%), attribute their professional success to "luck" (-9%) or feel unappreciated for their leadership skills (-5%)
Q: How have you adapted over time to feel more in control of your professional destiny?
A: When I made the decision to be an entrepreneur 11 years ago, I was very clear that this is the space where I can be more impactful. I was committed from day one. I believe this has helped me with being more intentional about my growth as an individual and as an entrepreneur. When you commit to growth, as uncomfortable as it may be at times, confidence is inevitable. I feel in control of my professional destiny because I am completely present for the journey.
