I am Graceful Chatora an entrepreneur from Donga, Chachacha Ward 10 in Shurugwi District. I have a registered enterprise named Gradvan Pvt Ltd . I had no knowledge on how to manage my business and basic bookkeping to help price products and calculate profits. My entity specializes in sewing school uniforms , formal wear, worksuits, tracksuits ,jerseys, jackets and casual wear. I started sewing in 2013 and by then my business was very small. I had challenges in marketing my products and my clientele base was very small and this made my business struggle to survive .I only had one hand- operated machine and depended largely on making clothes alterations for clients.

In 2016 , l joined Batanai Self-help Group, a 10-member group consisting of 8 females and two males and received various business training and support from HiH Zim. . Under the group was privileged to access a loan to boost my business under the Enterprise Accelerators Revolving Fund. The loan ,helped me to buy more diverse clothing materials ,2 industrial machines ,1 overlocking machine ,2 manual machines. Due to the escalating demand of my products and the need to revise my HR base, I have also employed four tailors of which two are permanently employed and two others are on work related learning.

I intend to open a clothing factory in Shurugwi Town, supported by numerous clothing shops and aiming at employing over 100 workers .I also look forward to opening a clothing academy which will train and accredit quality tailors