Small Business Conversations

Business Partners’ latest SME Confidence Index shows that small businesses are quite optimistic about their growth prospects in 2024. However, concerns linger about the regulatory reform needed to support that growth. Small Business Conversations

The Makers Landing Kitchen Incubator programme at the iconic shopping and tourist destination offers entrepreneurs the necessary development training, mentorship, access to market and finance opportunities to help their small businesses grow. Small Business Conversations

'It can be a harsh industry, so you need to be on top of your game,' says Property Point founder Shawn Theunissen, commenting on the retention of black- and women-owned small businesses in the sector. Small Business Conversations

Matt Putman of iKhokha says the payment platform is providing options to convert hesitant small businesses to new innovative payment solutions. He hopes to see penetration into the informal market in the next year or two. Small Business Conversations

Former business teacher Luvuyo Rani founded Silulo Ulutho Technologies in 2004, today his non-profit arm, the Silulo Foundation, has partnered with the Western Cape government to pilot the SMME Booster Fund aimed at equipping township businesses with the skills they need to thrive. Small Business Conversations

For Attacq’s Michael Clampett, demand for the flexible retail space at Mall of Africa indicates there is cause to open at least 10 more locations in the country’s mega malls. Small Business Conversations

Co-owner of Cape Town-based Hope Sonic, Strati Zitianellis, says the company, which manufactures affordable plastic toys for Shoprite, is stocked up for the peak Christmas shopping period. Small Business Conversations

The November month-end sales bonanza may be over, but David Adams of Payfast advises small businesses to diversify their payment methods and product offerings to increase their appeal to overstretched consumers going into the Christmas and back-to-school promotional periods. Small Business Conversations

Small Business Conversations with Akhona Matshoba offers a fresh take on critical conversations that impact South Africa’s small business sector. This weekly podcast offers interviews with ground-breaking entrepreneurs and industry experts, extracting the gems they have to offer to those wanting to take their businesses forward. Small Business Conversations

Although there are some glimmers of hope, the upcoming elections could further hurt optimism if they exacerbate political instability. Omar Hassan of SNG Grant Thornton breaks down its latest research and explains the nuances of mid-market businesses operating in SA. Small Business Conversations

Strategies for small businesses in a cash-conscious market from Gerhard le Roux, Capital Connect Small Business Conversations

For Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa of TBCSA the regulation of sharing platforms like Airbnb will open the floodgates for calls for an industry-wide approach to regulation – roping BnBs and hotels into the discussion. So government must also consider how it plans to enforce regulation of this magnitude fairly, he says. Small Business Conversations

Ahmore Burger-Smidt from Werksmans Attorneys walks us through the important considerations for SMEs looking to trade via the Amazon marketplace. Small Business Conversations

The Small Business Institute's latest research details the cost of municipal dysfunction on small businesses, and CEO John Dludlu helps contextualise the data to reflect the real-time consequences for SMEs tasked with navigating the chaos. Small Business Conversations

The 2023 Franchise Survey shows an improved picture of the industry – and as Fred Makgato, CEO of the Franchise Association of South Africa (Fasa), explains, the supportive ecosystem offered by the franchise model can foster better growth for SMEs. Small Business Conversations

Maboang Matlou, founder of agri-processing business Lefakong Moringa, says the company is venturing into Botswana, Dubai, and the US to sell its products as local retail shelves are dominated by big brands. Small Business Conversations

Sihlesenkosi Majola of Popping, a South African start-up connecting small businesses to booming retail markets nearby, says the pop-up market arena is still in great demand for SMEs looking to connect with their customer base. Small Business Conversations

Warren Hickenbotham, co-organiser of the Organic and Natural Products Expo, says SMEs in the industry need to focus on consumer-faced marketing to boost growth. Small Business Conversations

Erin Louw of Retail Capital explains how its generative artificial intelligence offering ChatSME can help take care of the basics when it comes to running a business, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on the important part – innovation. Small Business Conversations

But Green Scooter CEO Fezile Dhlamini says there's still a long way to go before EVs are in every home because of South Africa's inadequate infrastructure. Small Business Conversations

Crowdfunding platform The People’s Fund looks to raise R200m to plug the capital funding gap for entrepreneurs doing business with government and corporations, one purchase order at a time. Small Business Conversations

Palesa Mabasa of FNB's SME Funding division explains how downsizing your business can be a helpful tool, not only for preventing liquidations in times of trouble but for managing growth when your business is growing too quickly. Small Business Conversations

Heavy Chef’s Louis Janse van Rensburg shares findings from the latest Entrepreneur Networks Report, which suggests that strong entrepreneur networks can be as vital as access to funding and resources. Small Business Conversations

Taelo Mojapelo, the boss of bp Southern Africa, and Mxolisi Matshamba the CEO of the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa) speak about their partnership to fund black-owned businesses wanting to enter the multi-billion-rand fuel retail industry. Small Business Conversations

Bernard Jansen of Firejuice shares tips on developing a strong, cost-effective marketing strategy for SMEs. Small Business Conversations

Fedhasa chair Rosemary Anderson highlights areas that can be explored, discusses the association’s recently launched incubator programme, and explains why the tourism economy needs the boost the digital nomad visa can provide. Small Business Conversations

Business Partners Limited's Arnold February explains why saving not only supports liquidity within a small business but also promotes it. Small Business Conversations

IntegriSure Brokers’s Hermanus van der Linde shares insights on how mounting threats to small businesses have shifted the insurance landscape for small businesses. Small Business Conversations

Momentum Brand's Charlotte Nsubuga-Mukasa speaks about how the Big Success for Entrepreneurs campaign is smoothing the bumps along the entrepreneurship journey. Small Business Conversations

Luke van der Nest of MG Health says returns for investors in the medical cannabis industry are at least five years off as the poor regulatory environment makes competing with illicit traders difficult. Small Business Conversations

CCMA senior commissioner Laurie Warwick explains how the labour relations webtool it developed in partnership with Busa is designed to strengthen labour relations for SMEs Small Business Conversations

Monisha Prem, from M Prem Attorneys, discusses the launch of eLegl, a legal resource centre for entrepreneurs, emphasising how the platform aims to clarify complex business law issues and address the problem of legal illiteracy among entrepreneurs. Small Business Conversations

Rene Richter of Remchannel speaks on the growing phenomenon of quiet quitting in SA’s workplaces and how employers can identify when their teams have checked out. Small Business Conversations

Co-founder Nigel Jacobs lifts the lid on how the family-owned business managed to ink a deal with SA’s largest retailer Shoprite, with three more leading grocery retailers set to follow suit. Small Business Conversations

A partnership with data-free platform MoyaApp makes it easier for small and informal businesses to access a newly launched emerging business Insurance product from Santam. Dave Gould explains. Small Business Conversations

Young agricultural entrepreneur Sbu Napaai has already won the Regent Business School redHub Business plan pitch competition for his ideas and is now looking to take the practical steps to tap into the underserved market. Small Business Conversations

Southern African Advisory Company BRP Tiaan Herbst says the outlook for South African SMEs remains bleak with more businesses enquiring about the business rescue process as the tough economy sees small enterprises take on water. Small Business Conversations

Mathebe Molise, founder of niche beauty and skincare retailer Beauty on TApp, speaks about the opening of the brand’s flagship store at Mall of Africa as well as the state of the beauty industry and opportunities for local manufacturing in the sector. Small Business Conversations

Tom Stuart of Lulalend unpacks how small businesses can secure short-term solar finance to become less reliant on Eskom. Small Business Conversations

CIPC senior manager of companies and close corporations Christa Klokow unpacks the deregistration process and what to do when company directors pass away or can't be traced. Small Business Conversations

Robyn Keet, the operations manager of Brightwolves SA, on local sustainability best practices and navigating impending regulations. Small Business Conversations

The visual artist speaks on her journey in the arts and how her artistic talents have supported her transition into the retail industry. Small Business Conversations

Long-time career coach and CEO of Hesed Consulting, Vumi Msweli, shares advice for surviving the transition back to the corporate world. Small Business Conversations

Hobbs Sinclair tax specialist and CEO Neill Hobbs explains how to avoid an unpleasant run-in with Sars. Small Business Conversations

What funders look out for, how to avoid the common pitfalls and the essential documents you need to seal the deal – Vijay Jainundh, head of Paragon Debt Advisory. Small Business Conversations

Research by the Heavy Chef Foundation suggests that advancements in internet technology could see entrepreneurs deferring critical business administration skills to cloud services. Small Business Conversations

Despite severe challenges, businesses in the country have an appetite for growth that surpasses global trends. This week we spoke to Yugen Pillay, the director of business consulting at SNG Grant Thornton. This is Episode 5 of the Small Business Conversations podcast. Small Business Conversations

From farm owners to ceramic makers, wig makers and restaurateurs, load shedding is squeezing all business owners, chipping away at margins and driving up costs. In this week's episode, we look at the impact of load shedding on SMEs. We touch on the cost implications of moving away from the national grid, as well as the emotional toll that load shedding has taken on business owners. Small Business Conversations

A sluggish economy coupled with the consumer’s dwindling buying power has shrunk South Africa’s luxury market, forcing players like luxury bag brand Inga Atelier to exit the local market in pursuit of greener pastures. We speak to the founder and creative director of Inga Atelier, Inga Gubeka, about his journey into the fashion business, his decision to pursue the US market, and the lessons he has learned along his entrepreneurship journey. Small Business Conversations

How Viridian is helping entrepreneur support organisations and innovation hubs standardise training. Small Business Conversations