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By Everson Luhanga
- The 60-year-old woman started with R1,000 in 2016 and now supplies spaza shops, Spar stores, garages, hospitals and private doctors.
- Gabriel built a team of 22 black women who buy and resell her water and juice products to Durban customers.
Gina Gabriel from Avoca Hills in Durban has been hustling since 1990. The 60-year-old and her husband started by making and selling fat cakes to pay school fees for their two daughters.
“At the time we both worked but the salary was just not enough for us to survive,” Gina told Scrolla.Africa.
She kept her side hustle even after getting a permanent corporate job.
In 2016 her husband had a stroke and needed full time care. Gina resigned from her job to look after him.
“With no income I started making my own juices in my kitchen and sold them to friends, neighbours and in the streets,” she said.
She later started selling alkaline ionised water after DesignerwaterSA introduced her to the product. Gina started with R1,000 and sold bottled water at schools, hospitals, stadiums and on the streets.
“This business is what gave me my biggest break. I managed to give my husband a dignified funeral after his passing,” she said.
Today Gina supplies spaza shops, Spar stores, garages, hospitals and private doctors. She also offers mobile massage therapy.
When stock arrives, she gives short term jobs to about 10 people to offload and sort it. Gina has built a team of 22 black women who buy and resell her products.
“I have managed to pay up my house and my children have completed their education,” she said.
Gina’s advice is clear.
“You don’t have to be a millionaire to start a business. Start with what you have. Please have a side hustle of any kind. Don’t do drugs. Alcohol is destroying our youth,” she said.
Pictured above: Gina Gabriel.
Image source: Supplied
