Play Your Part: How entrepreneur Allegro Dinkwanyane is changing the game
Entrepreneur Allegro Dinkwanyane has been her own boss since the age of 21. She shares her recipe for success.
Move over Oprah Winfrey, Allegro Dinkwanyane in on her way to becoming one of the youngest media moguls to come out of Africa.
At 27, Allegro is the founder and CEO of Orgella Entertainment and Orgella Communications.
She started her media business when she was a third-year BA Journalism Degree student at the University of Johannesburg in 2011.
The then 21-year-old decided that she wanted to be her own boss when she graduated. The move paid off and she has never had to submit a CV in her life.
Like Oprah, Allegro named her company after herself. Orgella is Allegro spelled backwards. Oprah called her company Harpo Productions.
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That’s not the only thing she has in common with the ‘Queen of Talk’ - they are both philanthropists.
Allegro gives back to the community through her charity foundation, Orgella Helping Hands.
The NPO helps feed the hungry and clothe the homeless.
Allegro is also a Play Your Part ambassador. The initiative is a nationwide programme created by Brand South Africa to inspire, empower, and celebrate active citizenship in SA.
Not only is she playing her part, but Allegro is always inspiring the youth to do their bit through education talks and career expo seminars.
We chatted to the young entrepreneur about her amazing success story.
You have accomplished a lot as a young entrepreneur. What’s your recipe for success?
Prayer is part of my business plan! I work hard and pray even harder. I’m in competition with no one, but the old me. I stay focused in my own lane. I also have an amazing team and a great support system at home.
What are some of the stereotypes associated with having a 100% black-owned media company?
Having to prove that we are capable and well experienced to handle big corporate accounts. Some people just automatically assume that we are incapable or desperate for business, hence they try to get discounted rates for our services. However, over the past eight years, we’ve managed to build a great reputation for the company and our work speaks volumes about us along with our current and former clients. This has led to us growing from strength to strength in a very short space.
Being a female entrepreneur comes with its own challenges. What are some that you have faced?
As a black female entrepreneur, I’ve had to overcome race and gender issues in some corporate settings. Women are not taken seriously from the get-go. We have to prove our worth and work twice as hard for a seat at the table. I overcame this by always showing up and making sure that I speak up loud enough to be heard and treated fairly.
You are passionate about women empowerment. Why is this important to you?
I advocate for women empowerment because I am a product of the same movement. I have been empowered and inspired by strong, courageous, and beautiful women all my life and throughout my journey as an entrepreneur. It is therefore important for me to empower other women coming behind me so we can all win together. The future is female, and we can only win the battles when we are united.
Not only do you run several businesses, but you are also a mom. Do you have any time-management tips for working moms?
PRIORITISE! PRIORITISE! PRIORITISE! No one is ever too busy for something or someone they love [and] value. I am committed to my business and devoted to family, so it almost comes naturally to me to strike the balance and make sure I don’t miss out on anything important in my businesses or at home, especially with my son. I absolutely love being a mom and now that I have him, I’m inspired ten times over to be the best leader and mom that I can ever be.
You have been involved in philanthropy throughout your life. When did your passion for philanthropy start?
I believe I was born with a compassionate heart that loves to help people. I launched my foundation Orgella Helping Hands in 2011 at the age of 21 and together with the help of other amazing young people, we’re playing our part and making a difference in our country. We are blessed to be blessings and together we can change lives for the better.