From PhD to entrepreneurship – Aisha Pandor, an inspirational woman in business

A curious personality and an enquiring mind were things that Aisha Pandor valued in her life while growing up in a family of successful and professional people.

Pandor was a guest speaker on a virtual webinar hosted by MANCOSA, private higher education institution, where she provided students and graduates with practical tools and tips to successfully improve their employability and progress in their chosen career.

The 36-year-old is an award-winning scientist with a PhD in Human Genetics, a business management graduate, and the co-founder of SweepSouth, South Africa’s first, on-demand cleaning app which connects busy people to trusted, background-checked cleaning professionals.

Pandor said one day during the December holidays some years ago, she was trying to look for a stand-in domestic worker to help out around the house, when she thought of a genius idea.

She wanted to have greater interaction with people and how best to organise domestic work and address the mutual needs of employers.

Pandor drew inspiration from online shopping and food delivery apps and together with her husband, they created the award-winning SweepSouth app.

“While studying for my PhD, I always thought about what type of work I would do and whether that work would be aligned with my purpose in life.
“The SweepSouth app was launched seven years ago, focusing on changing the mindset of home service professionals.
“The value of having supportive networks such as a partner, colleagues and family played an important role when having your own business”, she said.

Pandor advised students and graduates that you cannot be taught how to become an entrepreneur, but the skills learnt in courses will provide you with the confidence to become one.

“The best learning comes from being able to do things on your own. Having self-confidence and learning to sell yourself by selling your product will be essential for entrepreneurship.
“I learnt to become a source of strength and lead people through unforeseen circumstances such as the pandemic.
“Entrepreneurship is challenging and there should be no shame in failing as long as you have tried your best and you are aware of the mistakes made and have learnt from them”, she said.

Pandor expressed that success for her is constantly living in the present and trying to make the best out of any day, whilst aligning her purpose in life and being of public service.

She said SweepSouth continues to be a platform that helps combat unemployment and underemployment to help dignified people with a job and contributes to being the voice of women with no voice in public.

ENDS