A Multi- talented Business Coach

If you ever feel discouraged or in need of inspiration, look no further than Portia Nonhlanhla Dludlu – Siska, popularly known as Start-up Coach Portia who took a leap of faith and now runs her own business.

Today Portia is a respected Trainer, Coach and Mentor for start-up small businesses. She has a training company, Panther Edge Coaching SA that focuses on business skills and mentoring various companies to help them realise their goals.

Portia comes from humble beginnings having been raised in the rural area of Bergville, in a small mission called Hambrook. She grew up farming and looking after cows with her grandmother and her sisters. She started her first business at the age of 14 years – fixing bicycles and morning bread delivery. “I used to run to the shop, cycle to school, I had mini tuckshop at my desk at school selling quarter jam and atchar. My family was a strong support for the community, supplying milk and mealie meal. I was my grandmom’s right hand when it came to farming and church things,” recalls Portia.

Although her upbringing was nurturing and loving, Portia always told herself that she may grow up in the farm but she wanted more for herself. When she sets a goal, Portia makes sure she gets it done. She doesn’t give up easily. It is this determination which led her to becoming the first female fire fighter in KZN. In her endeavour to save lives and be of service, in 1998 she became a Class IV rescue scuba diver.

Her life took a different turn when she later left the Fire Brigade to study Sports Science at the University of Durban Westville because she was passionate about sports. She studied through sports bursaries and has travelled 11 countries overseas through sport. She has won several medals for Running, Cycling, Swimming and Rugby. She later worked as the Head of Sports at the Stellenbosch Municipality. Whilst working there she realised that people often sabotage themselves and studied Consciousness Coaching in Germany to equip herself so she could empower her team.
Little did she know that in 2006 she would leave the municipality to study Consciousness Coaching full time and make a career out of it. She felt the need to coach people and guide them on how to better themselves and make a difference.

She founded Panther Edge Coaching SA and Libunjwa Liseva Development. Portia has been coaching now for almost 16 years and is still passionate about what she does best and she does not regret transitioning from her sporting career to business.

The most satisfying aspect of her career is seeing businesses coached by her grow and thrive.
As a lesbian businesswoman, Portia wants to show the world that she is not her sexual orientation, she is a professional as she does not discriminate against her clients based on their sexual orientation, she sees their business ideas. “People must look beyond our sexuality and see us as human beings and as professionals. We may be gay lesbian or transgender but that is not what does the work, it is our skill and drive and love for people. People should see me as a professional and not judge me based on my sexual orientation.”

What gets Portia out of bed every day is her passion and commitment for Small Business Development, she believes that small business plays a central role in the economy, and they need to be supported to be sustainable and productive so that they can contribute positively to economic growth. “I always saw myself as a success, I have goals for myself, and I am driven. I didn’t want to perpetuate the cycle of poverty that I grew up in. I want to achieve greater things in life,” says a determined Portia.
Portia’s typical day starts at 4am when she gets up. She drinks her coffee, reads, meditates, showers and starts her first online session at 5am. At 6am she goes to the gym and starts her daily grind of following through with customers, writing material and preparing for afternoon radio sessions. Some days she has seminars to attend or presentations to do. In the evenings she walks her dogs, prepares dinner, does a radio session and is usually in bed by 9pm.

In her leisure time she likes to exercise or go for a walk or spend time with family playing board games or having a braai or swimming. She enjoys doing mini-DIY projects around the house and loves to fix things.

Portia has experienced significant barriers in business because of being a female. Some deals were beyond her reach because she was either coerced to pay a bribe or sleep with someone to get ahead. “My body is not for sale. I want to get deals because my company is experienced enough to get the deal, she said”

Portia is in the process of building the first rural entrepreneurial school/incubator to bring out entrepreneurs from rural area and townships and harness their skills. She will have two in the rural areas and two in the township. The first one will be live in March 2023. She also endeavours to coach 2000 businesses and mentor 100 girls before they finish high school and motivate youth participation in sports. Her ultimate mission is to inspire individuals to unleash their best potential regardless of their upbringing and background.

Her advice to the next generation of future leaders is to have a conviction; stand for something. Be clear about your intentions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Do not be intimidated by anyone or your sexuality. Strive to leave this world better. Let’s create a safe environment for future generations and lead financially.