When Lomo Senoamadi walked onto the stage at the Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year Awards on 30 October 2025, she was stepping into a moment 22 years in the making.
What began as a small idea in a bedroom has grown into a trusted laboratory solutions company in South Africa, with BICS supporting laboratories across multiple industries. The evening represented years of perseverance, sacrifice and steady growth that shaped both Lomo and BICS into what they are today.
A Recognition Rooted in Resilience
Being named a Finalist in the Small Business Category at the 37th Business Partners Ltd. Entrepreneur of the Year Awards is a milestone that carries deep meaning. For Lomo, it represents every challenge she pushed through and every moment she chose progress over comfort, even when the path was difficult.
“This recognition makes every step of the 22-year journey worth it,” she says. “It reminds me that when you honour your purpose, the results will follow.”
The Journey That Shaped BICS
Lomo’s journey began in Soshanguve, where she grew up in a family of five. After studying electronics and completing an apprenticeship at South African Airways, she joined Transnet Pipelines as an instrument mechanic. The demanding hours and constant travel inspired her to pursue a life with more balance and purpose.
In the early 2000s, she co-founded Bashumi Instruments and Control Services (BICS) with two colleagues. When they later moved on, she carried the business forward on her own, building it client by client. Those early years required courage and immense sacrifice. She often went without a salary and relied on friends, family and her husband for support. That determination became the foundation of the company’s long-term stability.
Growth Rooted in Service and Technical Excellence
Today, BICS is a full-service laboratory solutions company offering calibration, validation, equipment repairs, refurbishments and laboratory renovations. The company now supports more than 70 laboratories across diverse sectors and is recognised for reliability, technical expertise and compliance-driven service.
Over the years, BICS has partnered with leading organisations including Rand Water, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, SAB, Heineken, Tiger Brands and Unilever. From a single-bedroom beginnings to a 500-square-metre warehouse in North Riding, Johannesburg, the company continues to grow through trust, consistency and a strong service ethic.
A Leadership Journey Built on Self-Mastery
Entrepreneurship tested Lomo early and often. Growth brought pressure, long hours and moments of doubt. Through mentorship, coaching and academic development, including a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice from Henley Business School, she learned the importance of self-awareness and trusting her team.
Delegation became a turning point. By empowering her team instead of carrying everything alone, she created a culture of ownership and accountability. Today, every team member at BICS has access to coaching to support both personal and professional development.
Celebrating People and Purpose
The award is not only a celebration of the company’s success. It is a tribute to the people who contributed to the journey: loyal clients, a committed team and a family that supported the vision through its most challenging seasons.
“No entrepreneur walks this journey alone,” she reflects. “Every milestone is the result of people who believed and supported the vision.”
Looking Ahead: Scaling South Africa’s Laboratory Solutions Sector
This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter for BICS. The company continues expanding into sectors such as mining and pharmaceuticals, strengthening governance structures and investing in young talent and digital systems.
Despite the growth, the mission remains unchanged: to operate with integrity and deliver technical excellence across all laboratory environments.
Lomo hopes her recognition encourages young entrepreneurs, especially women, to believe in their capabilities. Her message is clear: your journey matters, your dreams are valid and consistency will take you further than shortcuts ever will.
“When I see my employees growing and building their lives, I know every challenge was worth it.”
Video
Watch Lomo share her journey and insights:
https://youtu.be/EYEfZqmvwxI
