#WCW: Founder of ChemStart, Bathabile Soko chats about her science kit provider
"When I was 16 years old I realised that my future was
never going to happen the way that I imagined and it wasn’t my fault."
We live in a country that thrives on innovation. And a large part of that innovation comes from women who have noticed a gap in education, climate, mental health, health and body, science and more...
This is why we take the time to celebrate women every week. Because they can take an idea and plant it, water it and it will blossom beautifully.
And throughout the challenges they steer through and prove that anything is possible.
That is certainly the case for Bathabile Soko, the founder of ChemStart.
Bathabile Soko is not only the founder of ChemStart but is a member of a national social impact entrepreneurial organisation called FURTHER, who works with entrepreneurs in the social impact space providing mentorship, business support, and networking opportunities to help grow their businesses
In case you were wondering ChemStart is an award-winning educational portable science kit provider that helps learners perform science experiments themselves to better grasp science concepts so they pass their exams and ultimately become confident scientists.
They are the only South African manufacturer of educational, portable science kits for use by learners at home or school so they can perform science experiments themselves. It can be used at home and school and ChemStart offers science demos or shows at schools in a fun but informative matter and wish a dash of humour.
She holds a Bachelors and Honours Degree in Chemistry and completed her MBA in Cape Town.
When asked about what inspired her to start her business, she said:
"When I was 16 years old I realised that my future was never going to happen the way that I imagined and it wasn’t my fault. I was capable but disempowered.
High school didn’t prepare me for a university education. I got to do science experiments for the first time at university, and because of that, I lost my confidence and didn’t do well enough to get into medical school. Unfortunately, thousands of learners go through this experience every year and this is not right!"
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Bathabile certainly used her life experience to help the future generations of scientists. And that we would like to believe is what passing the torch on means...
She currently employs five people including herself.
When asked about the biggest lesson she learnt, she gave wise and sound words.
"Know your why because you will need it during the difficult times as they are many. Belonging to a network like Further is important as it helps to keep you accountable and offers support and guidance and access to social capital."
