Social entrepreneurship and the gift of giving

Petrina Keramen, is boldly stepping into her role as a social entrepreneur with her flower and gift basket business, Purple Haven Trading, and a campaign to empower the girl-child with the confidence of sanitary wear.
According to Keramen her business is the first mobile flower and gift shop in Windhoek, considering how clients prefer the delivery of gifts at their door step.
“We offer a free gift card and prompt free delivery with all our products,” she said adding on that even though they are mobile some clients still insist on coming to the business premises to purchase her products.
Purple Haven’s slogan, ‘Nurturing the love’ is testament to their social media campaign which Keramen and a collective of entrepreneurial minded ladies have started with a trending social media hashtag campaign, #Uplifther, that advocates for the empowering, educating and motivating the Namibian girl child to improve her attendance at school and participation in the classroom.
“We are involved in this group with 5 other young aspiring women who share the same vision and passion,” she said. According to Keramel their initiative has so far held awareness campaigns and activation in Karasburg, Keetmanshoop, Tses, Gibeon, Mariental and Rehoboth.
In her efforts to make their campaign a success story, Keramel is currently soliciting the help of individuals and corporate sponsors in their efforts to provide sanitary items and not only pads on a regular basis to help boost women’s confidence in the different communities.
“We have exciting plans for the campaign next year so watch the space and do not forget to play your part,” she added. According to her, these social responsibility projects give her more gusto to grow her business and sow seeds of faith in other aspiring entrepreneurs.
Having worked with a few entrepreneurs/business associates at a young age, their influence and way of life sparked Keramen to do the same. “To be able to create, make and be that change. My mission on the outset was to pave a way of independence for myself but then it grew into something bigger and exciting which is where I am today and I’ve got so much more in-store,” she said.
Speeaking on a journey, she said, “It started out at first, wanting to buy clothes and toiletries for herself and all the niceties teenager girls enjoy which I could not depend on my mother on for. In my early 20’s, I had the opportunity to work very closely with lucrative entrepreneurs and taking a keen interest in business myself”.
Keramen recalls on how she got to where she is today, “I was intrigued by their way of life, decision and factoring change making capabilities that wanted me to have the same influence to change my life,the lives of others and in our community”.
After ruminating on what business to start, she sought the help of a mentor that advised her to take some time and think it through. Having been involved in many social responsibility projects that advised women and girls on domestic violence and gender abuse. It struck her and a friend to start a flower shop. “I loved how flowers can brighten up ones day and I could transfer that same joy into other peoples lives on a daily basis,” said Keramel, after which she decided to be be unique and make her business stand out in a competitive flower market and now she employees 5 people, with future plans to expand. Her business.