Centre news Business Hub
In a candid, on-the-record interview, a former teacher-turned-entrepreneur explained how he launched what has become the Junior Business Empire and what he believes it takes for other small businesses to reach similar heights.
Grounded in education and training, Noah Marima of the Junior Group of Companies’ story is as much about business mindset as it is about making money.
The founder and Director of the colossal business empire was recently awarded the coveted the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce(ZNCC), Masvingo 2025 Business Leader of the year, cementing his core believes that education and hands-on growth is the core of what his companies have developed.
Below are the expects from the Question &Answer (Q&A) interview Center News Business Hub(CN) did with Marima(NM) making it clear that his model is guarded on two pillars, consistency and giving the best.
CN: Congratulations for scooping the prestigious Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Masvingo 2025 Business Leader of the year and how do you feel or what does that mean to you as a leader of thriving various business entities?
NM: Thank you very much. I am genuinely humbled and honored to receive this prestigious recognition from the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce. This award is not just for me; it’s a reflection of the collective effort of all the vibrant teams across our entities. It means that the hard work we put in every day to serve our community and maintain high standards is recognized, and that is truly motivating. It inspires me to continue striving for excellence.
CN: Which business ventures do you lead and where are they based?
NM: I currently lead several ventures, dotted around the country. These businesses include the Junior Driving School whose Head Office is in Harare. We have other branches in Gweru, Zvishavane, and Harare. Junior High and Junior Primary are Cambridge boarding schools based in Masvingo. And lastly Junior Construction has its head offices in Harare and another branch in Masvingo. Our focus has always been on establishing a strong foundation locally to best serve the people of our province.
CN: What motivates you to be a successful astute businessman or what is the force behind which led to this important recognition.
NM: The driving force for me has always been the desire to uplift my community. Seeing a need, whether it’s in education, construction, or skills training, and being able to create sustainable solutions that provide jobs and improve lives is the biggest motivator. This recognition, I believe, stems directly from our commitment to serving our community with quality and integrity.
CN: Who do you pay tribute to your success in running and leading your business?
NM: My success is certainly not my own. Firstly, I pay tribute to the community of Masvingo and surrounding communities that consistently supports our businesses; their trust is our foundation. Secondly, I owe everything to the vibrant and dedicated teams in all our entities, they are the ones who make our vision a reality every day. Finally, I must thank my family for their unwavering support.
CN: What is your secret to success?
NM: The ‘secret,’ if there is one, is quite straightforward: consistency and giving our clients the best services. We focus relentlessly on ensuring that every service, from education to construction, meets the highest standard. Being consistent in delivering quality is what builds trust and sustainable growth.
CN: Do you have any plans to expand your business empire into other ventures? If Yes in which sectors of business.
NM: At the moment, our primary focus is on fine-tuning what is already there. I believe in strengthening the foundation of our existing schools, the driving school, and the construction firm to ensure they are operating at peak efficiency and quality. While we always remain open to opportunities, our immediate plan is deep optimization before broad expansion.
CN. What Challenges do you face in the business sector and how do you overcome them?
NM: The business sector, like any other, is characterized by its dynamic nature. We encounter the generalized operational and economic hurdles common to all businesses in our environment, such as managing costs and adapting to market shifts. We overcome these by maintaining a culture of resourcefulness, fostering internal talent, and prioritizing planning.
CN: Are you involved in Philanthropic work? If yes can you mention a few that you have done.
NM: Yes, philanthropy is a vital part of our corporate identity. It’s incredibly important to me, as I believe that those who are blessed with resources have a duty to contribute back to society. We are actively involved in various charity works, particularly focusing on education and skills development. To date we have over 30 students we helped with fees at different levels, from primary to university level. We often chip in where we see talent that lacks resources, providing scholarships or equipment and sponsoring community development projects to help aspiring individuals reach their full potential.
CN: Can you tell us when and how you started your business and prior to starting the business what is your previous profession.
NM: After finishing my formal education, all I knew was the necessity of hard work and trying various ventures to create value. I started off with a strong background as a teacher and instructor, which instilled in me the value of educating and training people, a value that remains central to our operations today, especially in our schools and driving school. The beginnings of the Junior Empire were a series of “hustles”; we started small, reinvested every dollar, and slowly built up capacity in each sector, always driven by a belief that consistent effort yields results.
CN: The rise of other small businesses what advice can you give to them if they have ambitions to reach what you have achieved?
NM: My advice is centered on two simple, but critical, pillars: consistency and giving their best. It does not matter how small the business is right now, customers need the best service or goods. Be consistent in your quality, be reliable, and always strive to exceed expectations. That foundational commitment to quality is what turns a small business into a lasting, successful enterprise.
CN: What does the future of Juniour Empire holds in the next five years
NM: In the next five years, the future of the Junior Marima Empire is about deepening our impact in different communities. We aim to solidify our position as a benchmark for quality in both education and construction. We anticipate enhancing our facilities, incorporating new technologies into our teaching and building methods.
