Favorite design: Concentric Circle necklace
'The Mulberry Mongoose team helped me a lot and taught me to believe in myself and I really got the full support from the team, our founder Kate and our loving Operation manager Clera Njobvu. Their never ending support has made me who I am today. I am proud to be part of this team. I have had challenges but I overcome them through the teams' help.' Esnart Phiri
Esnart Phiri started her journey with us in June 2022. Her warm smile and open-hearted nature impressed the team and she was hired due to her alignment with our values of Transparency, Joyful-Bravery, Discipline, Care and Growth. We knew this was someone who could grow with us and empower herself and our business.
Esnart has not had an easy life and the courage she shows at work shines through; she learnt resilience young. Getting pregnant with her first born, Raphael, at the age of 16 caused her to be bullied and ostracised at school and to be sternly reprimanded by her parents. Esnart showed remarkable courage going to school each day to complete her exams, all done whilst being verbally attacked by her peers and having to care for her newborn. She had very little support or friendships during this phase of her life but she was determined.
Once her exams were done, she moved to Mfuwe and took any work she could get. A dedicated family member she ensured money was sent home to her parents despite earning little herself. I have seen Esnart put herself under enormous pressure to do right for the ones she loves; I have also witnessed her coping with tragedy due to loosing family members too soon. All this she does with gentle, compassionate courage.
On a joyful note Esnart married a wonderful man named Israel, he is Clera’s (our Operation Manager’s) brother. We welcomed Esnart onto our team just after her marriage and second child, Sibongile; she is now expecting her third child.
Esnart took to Mulberry Mongoose so quickly and has risen as an assistant manager and now trainee procurement manager. Despite her warm and friendly manner with clients, Esnart shocked us with her preference for stock controlling and putting things in order (this is not a common passion in our team!!). What a joy to have someone who really enjoys these things and it has been wonderful to see Esnart rise in this role.
Esnart’s transparency has always inspired me. When things have gone wrong, and we have sat down to talk about why, she has opened up about the life challenges she faced and how they cause her to be afraid and lack confidence. She intelligently understands that not communicating with confidence in business creates problems and she works hard to navigate this. We know the road ahead means facing these internal challenges, and she commits to this each day. We are so grateful she does as the path ahead is bright and Esnart has enormous capacity to keep expanding her potential.
Fun Fact, Esnart loves playing music and dancing!