Bulelwa Ndaba

What does your company do?

Yaap is a performance and communication company,. It was founded with a vision to help African entrepreneurs and professionals thrive in their careers, equipping them with expert public speaking coaching. Our mission is to help them speak confidently and connect authentically with their audiences; and overcome fear/anxiety challenges by addressing both the technical and emotional barriers to effective speaking, guided by principles of empathy, empowerment, and purpose.

What is your biggest success?

My greatest success began with a quiet, personal decision. Although I registrred the business, between 2019 and 2021 I was too afraid to fully claim it. On one hand I grappled with the fear and a fear of success on the other. But in 2022, I finally said yes. Not just to entrepreneurship, but to myself. I stopped looking for a way out and started building something that felt true and honest. That decision breathed life into Yaap. Since saying Yes, I’ve coached clients from the UK, Ireland, USA, and Kenya to name a few. One moment that makes me smile and I’ll never forget was training entrepreneurs at the African Union Civic Tech Fund Conference. Our workbook was translated into French so every participant could feel seen, understood, and empowered. This often reminds me that courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it’s the quiet voice that finally says, “I’m ready to begin.”

What has been your biggest hurdle?

My biggest hurdle this season has been capacity. I’m currently handling most areas of the business alone, which limits how much I can take on including new clients and larger corporate opportunities. With the right support, I could serve more people and expand our reach. Another unexpected challenge has been marketing the Impact Voices 10-week program. This May would’ve marked our fourth cohort. In the past, it sold out without much effort but this time, I only received three sign-ups instead of the usual ten. It’s been humbling and a little disheartening, and I’m still trying to understand what shifted. We’ll relaunch the program later this year with fresh insight and renewed energy.