A collage of Stories about Entrepreneurship

A collage of Stories about Entrepreneurship
Students from the University of Johannesburg.


Charl Heydenrych
Editor
February 2008.




Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
Introduction 3
The restaurant 4
The Branson Story 1 4
The Branson Story 2 4
Well well 5
Sailing along neatly 5
The Big Blue 5
The King of Pies 6
Allara Restaurant 6
Sweet 7
Good Job 7
MMM... 7
An Intrapreneurial Story 8
Clarendon House 8
Blinds & All 8
Warren Buffet 9
Skin Scene 9
M & M Holistic Wellness Centre 9
SAFAM 10
RVB 10
Network 21 10
Lite Centre 11
Investec 11
In her father’s footsteps 11
Raymond Ackerman 12
Mugg & Bean 12
Mugg & Bean (the official version) 13
Brandhouse 14
Celette? 14
Mrs Swanepoel 14





Introduction


Entrepreneurship is defined as:

 the process
 of creating and/or seizing
 a viable business opportunity
 by mobilising the resources
 to exploit it
in an profitable way - ususally by establishing an organisation.

To illustrate what Entrepreneuship means to them, the learners were asked to jot down examples of stories they knew of successful entrepreneurial ventures. Here they are.

These stories of entrepreneurs and New Venture Start ups were written by Masters students in Chiropractic and Homeopathy, as part of them learning to start and effectively manage their own practices.

I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the stories – especially those that are not in the public eye. Most however make for interesting reading and are presented here to inspire you to go out there and build your own legacy.

Charl Heydenrych
Editor
February 2008.

University of Johannesburg.



The restaurant

There is a successful restaurant in the Northern suburbs of Johannesburg which is a highly rewarding business to its owners. Almost every one of the +/- 60 tables is occupied from breakfast, right through to late night drinks at midnight.

The owner has trained his staff, from manager and hostess to waiter and dishwasher to love what they do and strive to do their best in order to add value to their lives. The well trained staff help the business to run smoothly.

In addition to this, customers are also loyal and satisfied due to the excellent (and tasty!) food which offers superb value for money (large portions, reasonably priced!). Evidence of its success is that even through our current credit crunch, every table in the restaurant boasts with an almost 100% occupancy rate!

The décor, ambiance and vibe is thoroughly enjoyable too.

.......................................... is worth a visit.

Niki Judelman

The Branson Story 1

Richard Branson began his empire by selling records through mail order. He then went on to opening his own record company signing up (now) very well known bands like the Sex Pistols when nobody else in the industry were prepared to touch them. He used this business to expand – in fact he had to sell this business to keep Virgin Air afloat. He now has businesses and ventures allover the world – he owns gyms, cosmetics companies, telephone companies and railroads - and seems poised to be the first to offer short space trips to the general public in the near future.

Debbie Lester

The Branson Story 2

Richard Branson at a very young age noticed a gap in the music industry. He exploited this in innovative ways. This set the scene for numerous future endeavours which one could classify as “unorthodox” or “against the grain” – terms that have became pretty synonymous with the Branson brand.

Johan Engelbrecht
Well well

Discovery Health has a division called Kaelo Health – wellness days and corporate health is their focus. This is successful because they (Kaelo) saw a need for screening tests to be done in the corporate environment which helps people recognize abnormalities of blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels before they cause overt disease. Thus once people are aware of their high BP or cholesterol they can implement lifestyle changes to bring these factors down to acceptable levels. Kaelo Health charges the company (who is having the wellness day) a substantial amount for the activity. Kaelo Health pays their employees well which makes them happy and willing to work hard.

The profit is great.

Allan Jones

Sailing along neatly

They had a supermarket for years – known as Van Zyl’s Supermarket – from there they bought properties around the supermarket. Now known as the Van Zyl Group they also have a take away and at the moment they are opening up an enormous “Van Zyl’s Butchery”. They will be supplying the public as well as acting as a wholesaler to other companies.

Van Zyl’s is essentially a family business where everyone helps out and the owners work between all three operations with mangers running the various operations. All work very hard and put in long hours to ensure that the large amount of capital that they put into the business pays off.

Since the take-away is doing really well they are thinking of turning this into a franchise business.

The business not only owns the property from which the retail outlets are run but they are also earning rentals from other properties – all in all a profitable group of businessness.

The Big Blue

Before the advent of the internet era IBM was a big player in the IT sector. During these formative years (around the 70’s and 80’s) IBM’s country manager was a man by the name of Ron Northrup. He played an integral part in these beginning years.




His approach was one of complete integrity, uprightness, enthusiasm and order (he is a committed Christian). Through his gentle and authoritative leadership a “Worker’s Manual” was introduced setting out his principles of work and labour. As a result, the company flourished and became a lead player in the South African IT sector.

David Peyton


The King of Pies

King Pie was started by a man who had lost his job, his home and was living in his car with his wife and daughter. He was a keen cook and at some point he took his family’s weekly food allowance and bought enough ingredients to make a half a dozen pies. He sold these to people on the street. With the profit he made a dozen pies the next week. He continued doing this till he was able to rent a shop and through this support his family. Today we all know the King Pie brand and know that it is a successful business.

It all started with a man with a vision and just enough money for six pies.

Marilize von Hörsten


Allara Restaurant

It is successful due to the excellent service and phenomenal food.

They treat their customers really well and are extremely helpfulat all times.

They operate at optimal capacity.

Their food costs are low which allows for a high profit margin and the stock at the restaurant is maintained at an optimum level in order to prevent loss because of foodstuff passing the sell by date.

They have duplicated the success recipe – The owners now operate two “Allara Restaurants” – there is thus an income from two sources.

Kerrie-Ann Smith




Sweet

Honey Jewellery is successful not only because of its product but also because of its staff and business model.

They look at making jewellery that is colourful and fun and have a product range that change often

They empower their staff.

The selling model is one where the product is sold by agents rather than in jewellery shops

Neeha

Good Job

Steve Jobs, CEO of the company Apple comes to mind when having to think of a successful entrepreneur. In a world dominated by Bill Gates, Microsoft and the Windows operating system there appeared a contender. Initially aimed at graphic design, music and other creative businesses, Steve changed the model of his business as well as his target market.

Apple is now seen as “user friendly” and becoming immensely popular among many old Windows computer users.

Not only computing, but inventing is what Steve is about. With the Apple iPod being a must have for so many people. He has bounced back a number of times and can truly be regarded as a successful entrepreneur.

Matthew Proctor

MMM...

Millenium Management Consulting

Opened in 2000, this company is based purely on doing the books for other companies.

One of the key success factors was the location of the office and another was the experience as accountant of the owner. Not only did he act as an accountant for other people, he was also able to build up a range of contacts in the process. This, together the fact that his fees are reasonable has led him to grow substantially over the years.


An Intrapreneurial Story
The IT department of Lindsay Saker in Edenvale is run by Irvin Glanz. This unit is regarded as one of the best in the Lindsay Saker group – the result of initiative and hard work as well as being open minded to the ideas of others and listing to what the customers say.

This small group of enthusiastic people are a patient bunch that have been able to blend together well as a team. Each task that is handed to them is completed with integrity and quality. The hard work and initiative has helped the group to optimize their talents and produce work of exceptional quality.


Clarendon House

Started in 2005, this B & B in Durban offers a central and convenient location both for business people and holiday makers. Facilities are well kept and immaculate with just about everything that one would require – from a bar to wireless internet.

The rates are reasonable, the service hospitable. Expenses are also kept at a minimum since the owners live in.

Brad Waterer


Blinds & All


My parents left Johannesburg about two years ago. They left my sister and I to run the business. Since I study full time and my sister works full time, we decided to keep the business small and personal.

The business consists of making material roman blinds for various decorators. We currently have four decorators that we make blinds for. The business could be regarded as successful since we are making a profit, the staff are happy, the product is of good quality, delic\very schedules are being met and most of all – the customers are satisfied. Not only are they coming back to us, the decorators themselves are also referring more and more people – a sure sign that they are satisfied with the work.

Inge du Plessis


Warren Buffet

• started as an accountant in a small firm
• Bought and sold a small business for a small net return
• Invested that return in another business, bought it, then sold it, making a larger net return.
• By age 32 , made his first million.
• Owns the world’s largest investment company by age 46
• Currently is the world’s richest man.

Brent Pacholdt

Skin Scene

Voted as the best day spa in Gauteng for 5 years running.

Skin Scene in Rivonia was started about 10 years ago by Karryn Haze. They put a lot of thought into who their target market is and therefore chose a location in terms of that. They had to invest substantial capital into the business in order to purchase the best equipment at the time. This was necessary to attract the middle and upper class clientele that they envisaged would use their services.

To make the business viable they sub-let space to toher smaller businesses that are related to the beauty sector. This additional rental helps in repaying the loan.

They ensured that only the best staff were employed and go to great lengths to keep up to date with latest trends, fashions and developments.

Mike Busschau

M & M Holistic Wellness Centre

This is a company run by Marion Steenkamp and Marian Bryant. It was started in 2007, so it has now been in operation for approximately two years. The turnover is good an it is profitable.

The goal of the business is to help people to make healthy lifestyle changes and to assist them in diet and eating management. The owners have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Their marketing devices like fliers and advertisements in magazines (“The Get it”) and newspapers are paying off in the form of new business.
Pauline Steenkamp


SAFAM

Mike van Wyk jr. – CEO of SAFAM

He started off as a fireman at Edenvale Fire Department where he worked for 8 years. He then started his own business called SAFAM, which essentially was a medical assistance office. He was the approached by Emperor’s Palace to manage their medical staff.

He has now got a number of clinics in South African companies as well as four medical stand-by stations.


Darryn Whelan


RVB

Mr Roberts is the owner of a business that manufactures truck bodies for large companies that have a need to transport goods or need to store goods in large industrial containers.

The business is well located in an industrial area. He has identified and found his target market. He has the skill and expertise in the field and he is able to use his resources and contacts effectively to satisfy the needs of this very specialized market. He has done so successfully over the years and the business has shown consistent growth and expansion.

Alexandra Gibson

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Network 21

Jim and Nancy Dornan started this Multi Level Marketing business nearly 40 years ago after being successful Independent Business Owners within the Amway organization. It works on the basis of duplication of a system that has proven to work, namely “personal franchising” they like to call it.

The principle of the business is that you buy your everyday consumables from your own business, you listen to CDs and read books to educate and motivate yourself and ti improve your interpersonal and leadership skills.

Another great thing about the business is that you can earn residual income from others in the marketing chain.

“If you put in the hours, you will not only have time and money for yourself and your ideals, but you will also help others to achieve theirs.

Marihan van Rooyen
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A leading light

Khalid Jassat, owner of “Lite Centre” started off working for “Light House” in Pietersburg. He moved to Johannesburg where he started off his own business opposite the Carlton Centre. He built up his clientele and grew to a point where he now has two businesses running – one in Fourways and the other in Bedford Centre.

He has good interpersonal skills and is excellent in selling his products. He imports these from various countries. To do this he attends “light” shows all over the world where he purchases his products.

Zeenat Hassim
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Investec

1974

Investec Bank Limited (“IBL”) originated as a small finance company in Johannesburg.

1980

Investec acquires a banking licence. This enables it to expand its activities beyond leasing and installment finance into such areas as corporate and professional banking, treasury, corporate finance and project finance. Regional offices are opened in Durban and Cape Town and a network of international contacts is established.

Bernadette Price

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In her father’s footsteps

Weleda Pharmacy (Bryanston & Pineslopes) was started by Chamila Sanua. Her father started the Homeopathic company “Pharma Natura” on South Africa in the late 60’s. He also owned the Weleda pharmacy at Rosebank and in the Johannesburg CBD. Her mother owns Weleda farm at Magaliesburg where they produce organic milk and cheese.

She first studied pharmacy then studied homeopathy. Her business at Bryanston is located in the Normally Yours building which includes various tenants and is made out of hemp. Chamila also practices there.

She too almost singlehandedly created the brand “Natually Yours” The high standards of service and knowledge that her staff bring to the table has underpinned the reputation that she has earned. She has made homeopathy and alternative medicine available and popular again in those locations where she operates. It is sometimes he first experience some people have of these remedies.

Sarah Caldwell

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Raymond Ackerman

RA worked with his family running the clothing company called “Ackermans”. He then decided to split off from them and start his own company “Pick and Pay”. His company became successful because he sold products at much lower prices than his competition and at relative quality. He could do this because he implemented the cost saving “supermarket” concept that he learnt about during a trip to the US while still at Ackermans.

He also introduced concepts such as the “No Name” house brands which used cheaper packaging for quality products thereby lowering the price.

He has now grown his company into a multi million rand business with branches in many countries of the world

Caroline Harrison.

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Mugg & Bean

M&B coffee shops started approximately 11 years ago. It offers everything from light meals to platter lunches and drinks from basic cool drinks to imported brews. It originally stated as an unsuccessful American Coffee shop which was introduced to the South African public and offered a cost effective venue for meetings and social gatherings. It is now a nationwide name and venue that has expanded into places like the Middle East and Australia.

Steven Mark Smilustein


Mugg & Bean (the official version)

The founder of the brand, Ben Filmalter, and his wife Judi were on a trip to Chicago in the early 1990s when they happened on a little coffee shop on the South Side.

The shop had a remarkably friendly and generous feel about it and the couple stayed for several hours just sucking up the atmosphere and drinking bottomless cups of coffee.

They also discussed the possibility of developing something with similar values in the South African market. At the time Starbucks was making its presence felt in the US market but the couple felt it would be a while before South Africans would accept the Starbucks concept.

On arriving home the Filmalters carried on with their lives as usual, Ben as head of a multi restaurant company and Judi assisting in the detail of the various units. But the memories of that comfortable coffee shop never left them. Over time a concept began to emerge and Ben evolved the identity and history of the brand. Finding a suitable launch location was next, which finally arrived in 1996 at Cape Town 's Waterfront.


The first Mugg & Bean opened in September 1996 and, because the restaurant combined the values Ben and Judi had experienced previously in Chicago with their own personal values, the coffee shop was an immediate hit. Franchising began in earnest two years later and stores in Durbanville in the Cape and Johannesburg opened.

There was an immediate flurry of development and stores popped up all over the country with similar success, indicating clearly that Mugg & Bean's value system was working.

Franchisees around South Africa were buying into this culture of generosity and customer focus. The memories of the early days in the stores in Cape Town were dominated by long working hours and long lines at the door.

People could not get enough of the generous portions, huge muffins and bottomless coffee. Between 2000 and 2005 the brand has grown steadily by no less than 35 percent annually.

Shops have sprung up in the neighbouring territories of Namibia and Botswana , as well as the United Arab Emirates , Saudi Arabia

www.themugg.com/home.asp

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Brandhouse


This company was formed 3 years ago when three different companies merged. They are responsible for producing and selling alcoholic beverages. The one thing that makes them successful is the fact that they have committed and hard working employees that invest a lot of time in making the company successful (Why?)

Michelle Brits

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Celette?

This company supplies panel beating equipment – eg. Jigs, spraybooth ovens, etc. to various panel beaters and body shops.

It is successful due to good organization, right contacts, an efficient work group/staff, hard workers, quality products.

Dieter van Haute
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Mrs Swanepoel

Mrs Swanepoel lived in the waverly area – she identified a need: “People bought luxury items when they received their monthly pay but do not think how they would manage their cash flow for the rest of the month.” He startred a pawn shop. This business now nets between R 15 000 and R 20 000 per month. He has now also started a shop that sells groceries adjacent to the pawnshop.

Emyn de Lange

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Passion and Money meet

I started my own successful business 4 years ago. My aim was to help other people in my time off varsity. Now four years down the line I have a successful business that helps me to live out my passion. I have a constant flow of new and old patients and best of all MONEY. All this by doing what I love.

Roxanne Geldenhuys