For a decade, Sally Rugano worked and grew her career as part of the global real estate company Knight Frank. That was until 2021 when set out to start her own venture Newpoint Properties, leveraging the knowledge and networks she’d acquired in her 10 year career. She’s now the founder and CEO of Newpoint Properties Limited and Newpoint Consulting Limited.
I sat down with Sally at last month’s Absa Inspire me conference to discuss her journey and get insights into her work ethic and success. Newpoint Properties Limited is a thriving real estate company specializing in the selling, renting, and managing properties. Newpoint Consulting Limited also focuses on property valuations and market research. Her extensive network, built over those ten years, played a crucial role in her entrepreneurial journey.
This venture complements her real estate business by providing clients with comprehensive insights and data-driven decisions, further solidifying her reputation in the industry. Newpoint started as a one woman show but through her hard work and resilience, Sally grew her company to a formidable business with a workforce of 10 employees, 4 in Newpoint Consulting and numerous agents. Showing her commitment to women empowerment, 70% of these agents are women.
Starting and running her company to where it is to date was not without its hurdles. Sally recalls the early days when she had to juggle multiple roles, from administration to marketing, to establish her brand. But she solved these issues over time by developing structures and embracing digital transformation. Even now reflecting on her journey she still would advise young entrepreneurs to go for it despite the challenges she herself faced. Her advice to them is that everything will work out eventually as long as you’re creating value and are consistent and hard working.
Sally’s journey underscores the importance of following one’s passion and remaining committed despite challenges you may face along the way. Having banked with Absa for the past three years, Sally acknowledges the bank’s role in her success in terms of insights and support, particularly through their programs tailored for female entrepreneurs. These have been most valuable.
Sally appreciates the empowerment and practical business strategies she gained, which have helped her scale her business effectively. A critical turning point in her journey was her participation in the fifth cohort of the Absa She Stars Program, an initiative that supports female entrepreneurs in Kenya, helping them navigate the complexities of the business world.
Sally credits Absa for providing the necessary support to bridge the gaps she encountered as a growing company. Through the SHE Program, she learned the value of partnerships and leveraging consultants, which has been instrumental in her company’s growth. As she participates in the Inspire Me Conference, she extends her heartfelt gratitude to Absa Bank and expresses her passion for women empowerment. She further acknowledges the significant impact of Absa’s programs towards propping businesswomen. She believes that hearing success stories from her fellow women entrepreneurs, those who dreamt like she dreamt, is incredibly empowering. Sally also had a forward-thinking suggestion for Absa to incorporate training on the tech world in their next program.
She emphasizes the need for women entrepreneurs to be well-versed in technology, which is crucial in today’s digital age. Sally’s determination underscores her journey from an employee to a CEO of two successful companies is an inspiring beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women, demonstrating that with passion, perseverance, and the right support, success is attainable.
