Lerato Sekants’i is a woman entrepreneur who runs an investment advisory firm called Strategica.
Startup Story
Tell us about yourself
I graduated with a degree in actuarial science and got a job at Allan Gray in Cape town after my studies. This is where my love for investments grew. Working as an operations consultant, I worked closely with financial advisors and I became inspired to give the same type of services to Basotho.
What does your company do?
Strategica is registered as an investment advisory firm with the CBL. We do financial planning and investment advisory for individuals and organizations. We also offer financial literacy trainings and workshops for individuals, employees, and groups.
Who are you targeting with you customers?
I am targeting everyone. Unfortunately, finances do not have a start age. We need to start financial education from a young age to ensure that we need to make sound financial decisions in adulthood. Our clients range from young professionals to people approaching or already in retirement, our services are for everyone that has financial goals and the will to let us help them get there.
What inspired you to start the business?
While working for Allan Gray I saw what great potential there was in investing and building wealth. Seeing that this was not common at home, I saw this as an opportunity to provide investment services and financial advisory services in Lesotho.
Can you tell us more about your entrepreneurial journey?
I started Strategica in 2018 while I was working a fulltime job in insurance. A year later I resigned to focus on the business full-time. However, when COVID-19 hit I had some financial challenges and had to seek employment. In 2021 I again started working on the business again and employed staff to help with running the business daily.
What challenges have you faced in the entrepreneurial journey?
The biggest challenge has been lack of traction. In Lesotho, people are still a bit behind when it comes to understanding financial planning services and financial literacy. Money is still not something that is talked about, and this makes people feel uncomfortable at the thought of discussing their finances with someone else. Another issue has been a lack of funds. Because it took a long time for people to warm up to the idea of a financial planner, there are times when I would be pumping money into the business but not see any return, those were extremely devastating (which I still sometimes do). But the aim is to keep the passion going and to see this as an investment and we shall soon reap the rewards.
What are your future goals for your business?
I want to see Strategica grow in the pension advisory space and hopefully grow into an asset management firm. Its high time that investment advisory services are provided by Basotho and not sourced from South Africa as is the norm. We would like to grow the investment industry in Lesotho and make it accessible to everyone and not just the elite few.
What is most fulfilling for you being an entrepreneur?
Seeing the relief on people’s faces when you give them sound financial advice and show them that they actually have options. Not knowing about how to manage ones finances properly makes a lot of people feel trapped in the situations they are in so it always feels rewarding to help them through Strategica.
Any advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs?
Do what you love and be resilient. The world needs women who can stand by what they believe without wavering. Words of self-doubt and other people’s opinions will come but you need to trust in your vision.
Contact details:
Lerato Sekantsi on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram
Cell:6826 1353,
Strategica:
Linkedin: Strategica Wealth Managers
Website: strategicalesotho.wordpress.com
Instagram: @strategica_finance
FaceBook: @strategica_finance
Email: info@strategica.co.ls
WhatsApp: +266 6398 2046
Phone: +266 2233 6826
Thank you so much for this important information.