Windhoek: A local exhibitor at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair says participation in the event has helped her family business expand its customer base and sustain the livelihood of a single-parent household.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Tresia Shikomba, who took over the business from her mother, said the family first exhibited at the trade fair in 2019 after a friend introduced them to the platform. Shikomba mentioned that her mother started the business years ago from a small shop in Ongwediva and used the income to support her eight children.

Shikomba stated that the business initially only sold mahangu traditional beer, but repeated exhibitions and exposure to other exhibitors and customers at the trade fair enabled them to diversify their offerings and improve their operations. Now, they offer a wide variety of traditional food. She admitted that initially, they faced challenges in determining the right products to bring to the fair, but over time, they learned from other exhibitors, which contributed to the growth of the business.

Shikomba emphasized that the trade fair serves not only as a sales platform but also as an essential marketing opportunity. She explained that visitors from various parts of the country often take the business's contact details and place orders after the event has ended, allowing them to maintain and even expand their customer base.

Now responsible for running the business as her mother ages, Shikomba and her siblings remain focused on growing the enterprise while seeking employment opportunities. She described the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair as a crucial platform for small businesses, as it exposes entrepreneurs to new markets and helps create long-term customer relationships.