Eugenie Drakes

I have been mentoring in the Creative Sector as part of my business since 2020 working with a number of rural communities teaching basic business, market driven product development and market access. Many of the groups I worked with have grown their turnover and accessed international markets. I opened a retail store selling high end handmade products from Southern Africa and learned a great deal about business as a result of starting from a place of passion rather than from a place of business. This experience helps a great deal when I mentor. I closed the retail store in 2018 to focus on mentoring and currently work on 2 of the South African Breweries programmes – Tholoana implemented by Fetola and Social Impact Awards implemented by Further. I have mentored a diverse group of Entrepreneurs in different sectors – Agriculture, Design, Fashion, manufacturing, Haircare and baby products, Events amongst other. I believe my success lies in the fact that I can see potential and am able to work with an person that is strong enough to do the work authentically and own their purpose. The mentees I work with are young, I am a Gogo (Granny) and am able to guide from a place of wisdom and empathy and am seen as a ‘safe space’ and strong guide. As a mentor I need to enter their world to understand and in this way I grow and learn and this opens new avenues for both my mentee and myself. The world is a negative state and I believe that I can have a very small impact on the future by sharing my wisdom and inspiring the younger generation. THe opportunities to learn about different customs, traditions and identities is also very inspiring for me

The world needs healing and people need opportunities. I believe the future needs more entrepreneurs both to build economies and people, to support individuals to find their unique expression and to work respectfully with the planet. Connection and community is also important and I have a strong international network to tap into to link into. It is a privilege to work with others in this space where I am able to learn and inspire which results in mutual growth. I also use metaphor a great deal to get concepts across and this is impactful. As a white South African I grew up with privilege and I see mentoring as a means to give back