Boitumelo Diseko is not only a talented artist, but also one of the youngest African female gallery owners in South Africa. Her business, B Artworks Gallery, is situated in Maboneng, Johannesburg, and houses contemporary local and international artists. The motto of B Artworks Gallery is ‘Be Artworks and aspire to inspire.’
We chat to Boitumelo Diseko about following her passion and her ‘why’.
Q: What prompted you to open your own gallery?
I have a love for art and also for business, so from a young age I knew I wanted to own an art gallery. I didn’t know what I would call it at the time – I just knew I had to fulfil that dream. On my last day of high school, I decided to send my catalogue to my teachers, and got my first client. So you can say that B Artworks Gallery has been in an infant stage since high school and throughout my University years.
Art changes people, and people change the world.
My why is to inspire people to seek purpose through art and conversations, and to become who God has created them to be.
I also want to reshape the ‘starving artist narrative’. There is a lot of money in the creative economy, but not so much in the homes and hands of the creatives themselves. That’s one of the issues I aim to tackle by owning a gallery. I want to make sure that we as creatives own our narratives, which also allows us to own the economic processes, and that’s how we benefit.
Q: Your early days: How did you fund your business, and what challenges did you encounter?
I worked my way in retail until I was an Assistant Manager. Then with my savings I was able to start the gallery.
I’ve faced some resistance, mostly for being young or a female or black, but I navigated that by always reminding myself of my ‘why’.
Q: Running any business is tough. What keeps you motivated?
Many businesses know their what and how, but not why they do what they do. Money is the by-product – your purpose will get you through the tough times in business; when sales targets aren’t being met, when you face resistance in the industry, etc.
I see myself as a canvas and the Greatest Artist of all time is my Creator. My motivation is my purpose – I’m doing what I’ve been called to do. And as a leader you need to always inspire your team through your purpose.
Q: What did the ‘covid-years’ teach you about business in general?
That technology and social media platforms can help a lot in terms of reaching clients, placing your product out there and making your skills and product more visible for the world to see.
Q: What are your growth plans for the next year or two?
I plan on relocating the gallery to a more visible and accessible area. We are open to any funding or collaboration with any company or individuals.
Q: What does the ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ mean to you?
For me it means resilience, passion and being purpose-oriented. Largely it is also the ability to lift others as you rise in whatever your chosen field of business.
It’s seeing the growth through the hardships, inspiring others and knowing that I’m doing what I love.
Q: And lastly, what ’s your top advice fellow entrepreneurs?
Keep on pushing even when it gets hard. Remind yourself always what your why is, and pray. You can! You should! If you are brave enough to start, you will!
