Mekenificent grows from strength to strength

Founder and chief executive officer of Mekenificent Wellness, Spa and Restaurant, Meke Namindo, started the business after leaving a full-time job.

What started off as a mobile business, Mekenificent, has evolved into a functional business that employs over 21 local Namibians.

Mekenificent comprises a gym, spa, restaurant and space to host events. They also offer services for team building, employee wellness, fun family activities, and special programmes to eliminate health issues.

Founded on four pillars, the business is focused on nutrition, physical activities mental wellness and social well-being.

Namindo emphasised the importance of social well-being, saying: "You cannot be all work and no play. You need to balance your lifestyle with social interactions."



Mekenificent’s birth

The business owner said starting the business was challenging, seeing that this was during Covid-19. After enduring these challenges, however, she can now look back and be proud of the progress she has made.

Mekenificent's focus on wellness is due to the founder's background.

"I was a national athlete. During the off-season, I struggled with the availability and affordability of healthy food. Another struggle was finding muscle recovery programmes," she said.

Namindo studied industrial psychology, corporate communication, and sports physiology at Virgin International as well as the University of Namibia.

She noticed that although people were involved in fitness activities, they did not often see the results they aspired to achieve.

"This is when I and Namibian dieticians wrote a book titled ‘A 31-Day Guide to a Mekenificent Body', which helps those who would like to gain, lose, or maintain weight," she said. Included in the book are a smart shopping guide and daily fitness activities.

While the business keeps Namindo motivated to provide quality service, she said she enjoys seeing results from those she now works with.



Motivated to continue

Namindo said running a business is not easy.

"I get motivated to continue working on my business from the results I see in people’s lives. I get to witness how lifestyle conditions are reversed with greater results for health," she said.

Having the opportunity to better the Namibian economy is a reward for her, especially having employed 21 people who make a difference in the community.

She encouraged the youth to take up opportunities for growth and work to achieve results. "Before you complain about the government, always remember that you are the government. The change starts with you," she said.