Discover how Ruvimbo Matipano built Bouncy Bee from jumping castles to a thriving floral and events company through strategic pivots, continuous learning, and empowering other women along the way.
Sometimes great businesses, like the most beautiful flowers, grow in directions never expected. Such is the entrepreneurial journey of Ruvimbo Matipano, who transformed from banking professional to founder of Manicaland's most celebrated events company, Bouncy Bee. Her story reveals that entrepreneurship is less about having a perfect plan from the start but more about adapting, learning, and embracing the courage to pivot.
The Business is born
Whilst working in financial services in 2014, Ruvimbo took a loan from her employer with a simple mission of making productive use of the funds. Having moved to Mutare in 2012, she had noticed a glaring gap in children's entertainment options. With her loan, she purchased three jumping castles and with the help from a company registrar, Bouncy Bee Jumping Castles and Hire was born. Little did she know that Bouncy Bee would eventually become a household name for florals and event decorations throughout Manicaland.
The Corporate Exit Strategy
The COVID-19 era became Ruvimbo's catalyst. Working from home allowed her to explore personal interests and she realized that she was "in a box" as a creative person within the banking industry. Despite being married with three children and having a stable career, she made the bold decision to resign and pursue her own venture full-time. She chose to build on the foundation she had laid with registering Bouncy Bee six years earlier.
The Art of Pivoting
What started with jumping castles gradually expanded to slush machines and candy floss. However, it was Ruvimbo's passion for decor and beautifying spaces that truly set her business apart. In no time, nursery schools began requesting balloon setups and she had to teach herself balloon garland techniques through online tutorials. This new skill which was unique in her area, quickly earned her the nickname "the balloon lady" and opened doors to complete children's party setups. Recognizing that self-taught skills had limitations, it became time for her to attain professional training that would later contribute to the growth of her business.
Investing in Excellence
Ruvimbo went on to seek mentorship and training from Thabile Buthelezi of Woke Queen Events in Durban, South Africa. She got a 5-day intensive training covering balloon decor, floral work, event planning basics, and costing and this significantly boosted her confidence and professionalism. "I have reaped tremendous rewards from continuous learning and I ensure that each year I invest in refresher training to stay abreast with evolving industry trends. To this day Thabile remains my mentor and her guidance has significantly shaped my business."
Finding the Floral Gap
After her events training, Ruvimbo identified another significant market gap of proper floral arrangements in Mutare. She started improvising on making bouquets and box arrangements and selling them online, and the response was overwhelming. She recalls that on one Valentine's Day, she single-handedly fulfilled over 50 bouquets orders in one night. "That experience made me realize that I needed a dedicated space for florals and more training," she stated. This led her to Mabel Floral Academy in Cape Town, where she specialized in various types of floral work. Upon returning, she confidently opened her own floral and gift shop, recognizing that flowers and gifts naturally complement each other.
Building Community, Not Competition
Ruvimbo remarkably decided to share in her success by training other aspiring women entrepreneurs in balloon work and event planning. Despite discouragement from others who feared she was creating competition, she believed in building a community. She remained grounded in the belief that a strong woman lifts others up. "I saw it as a way of empowering other women and also making money from teaching. It has made it easier to refer my mentees to jobs that I cannot take on myself."
After creating a comprehensive training module, her first masterclass attracted 12 women. Today, she mentors over 45 ladies whom she trained in various aspects of the events industry. She also involves them in her events for them to gain hands-on learning. When asked how she stays competitive despite training others, Ruvimbo answered profoundly that, "In the events industry, no two hands are the same. Individual identity and unique touches matter the most."
Beyond Profit: A Purpose-Driven Business
For Ruvimbo, success is not just about financial gain, she stated that she is driven by her passion for transforming spaces and bringing order and beauty to them. She highlighted that, "There is joy in witnessing people's happiness after an event. A warm and beautiful atmosphere significantly enhances the experience." Ruvimbo also values the connections that she builds with her clients which sometimes extend her role to providing emotional and spiritual support whilst walking them through their event journeys and building lasting friendships.
Lessons from the School of Hard Knocks
Creating the Bouncy Bee brand has not been without failures because not every event succeeded. Ruvimbo recalls organising a children’s fun event that got zero attendees despite extensive advertising and investment in entertainment. The significant financial loss put her through moments of self-doubt and thoughts of quitting. "I later learnt that the event failure was due to the venue's location which is quite distant from the CBD and also competition from free, more accessible alternatives," she reflected. This experience taught her to extract wisdom from failures and she has since shifted her focus to events that offer unique value, resulting in her successful high-tea networking events for women.
Look for unmet needs in the market rather than simply replicating existing businesses
Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Ruvimbo's advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is refreshingly practical:
- Start with what you have: "Don't wait for large grants or loans. Even $10 can kickstart a business if invested in a lucrative venture that yields profit. I sold my personal items like wigs and shoes to fund the growth of my business."
- Identify pain points: "Look for unmet needs in the market rather than simply replicating existing businesses. Zimbabwe is a ripe environment for business due to vast unmet needs and a constant demand for services."
- Understand the realities of entrepreneurship: "Money earned in initial stages of business often does not stay long due to vendors and labor costs. There is a need to price carefully to ensure profitability."
The Vision Ahead
Ruvimbo's long-term vision for Bouncy Bee is ambitious yet grounded. She aims to build a competent team that can operate independently, expand internationally, and establish floral spaces in underserved areas through a franchise model. She also intends to build a family legacy where her children will some day take over the leadership of the business.
The Power of Self-Belief
Ruvimbo addressed women's tendencies to underestimate themselves by urging them to recognize their uniqueness and power to take on challenges and occupy spaces they have been hesitant to enter. She stressed the need for women to believe in themselves as the majority of limitations come from within.
Ruvimbo noted that the lack of spousal support contributes significantly to self doubt in starting a business among married women. However, she is grateful to have a husband who is emotionally and morally supportive.
Her childhood also shaped her mindset, where she grew up seeing her mother who despite being well-provided for by her father, was always resourceful and business minded. Ruvimbo pointed out that her mother’s entrepreneurial spirit has not dimmed even in her older age; to this day, she continues to demonstrate a strong work ethic and belief in achieving goals.
The Blooming Truth
As Bouncy Bee continues to bloom across Manicaland and beyond, it serves as a reminder that successful entrepreneurship is not about having all the answers from day one. Ruvimbo's story shows that sometimes great successes are not planned from the start but discovered along the way. Her journey embodies the true entrepreneurial spirit - starting with what you have, staying curious, investing in your skills, and never fearing to pivot when new opportunities come along.
