Small Business Conversations: Recent Episodes
Moneyweb Radio
Moneyweb's Small Business Conversations podcast is hosted by Melitta Ngalonkulu. The podcast features interviews with entrepreneurs from various industries on their business acumen, lessons and overall growth. Entrepreneurs from big and small businesses, start-ups and more, will gain valuable insights from financial economists and small business experts.
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
The National Development Plan expects small and medium-size enterprises to create 90% of the new jobs it wants in place by 2030 – but with just seven years to go the figure is standing at 30%. Small Business Institute CEO John Dludlu helps us understand where the stumbling blocks are. Small Business Conversations
In this week's podcast, Sonto Pooe describes her journey with NativeChild, a natural hair and body-care brand.
Siwela Masoga the founder of Siwela Wines provides insight on how the right skills set can develop into running a lucrative wine business.
Tim Hogins the CEO of Green Outdoor Gyms (GOG) speaks on how township entrepreneurs could become job creators to reduce the number of unemployed persons.
Theo Baloyi, founder of Bathu Shoes, talks about the importance of brand positioning and on how to build a solid brand that will stand the test of time.
Riaan Schoeman, head of legal at LAWtrust, says data has become the new oil and therefore it is important for a business to protect its clients' information from data breaches.
In this week's podcast Nic Haralambous of Nic Harry socks speaks on how to keep your business afloat during the pandemic, while still focusing on your mental well being.
Tyronne Nel, director at fintech SME Snapshot, which assists small businesses with accounting tools, speaks on pricing correctly for different sectors of the market and how to avoid price wars.
Starting a business during Covid-19 may not seem like a great idea, due to the current uncertainty amid the global pandemic. However, in this episode Michelle Janse van Rensburg, MD of Nimacc Business Lounge, explains why she believes this is the perfect time to kick off that business idea.
Leaving your full-time job in order to pursue your dream of being an entrepreneur is difficult. This week Vusi Thembekwayo explains how, with a little determination, this process can be made smoother.
In the past few weeks, we've seen many small businesses struggling to obtain funding. One of the reasons may be that they are not tax-compliant. In this week's episode, we talk to Yasmeen Suliman, an executive at Bowmans, on how startups can comply with tax requirements.
Finding money for a rainy day in your business might be challenging for many start-ups. Business Partners regional general manager Jeremy Lang gives us pointers on how to start saving that emergency money.
Content marketing is a lot more than blogs, articles, video and social media. Sylvester Chauke, the founder of DNA Brand Architects, explains how it can be used to generate revenue for a business.
It is undeniable that the business landscape is evolving, which means the way business is now done needs to change. Black Business Council CEO Kganki Matabane speaks on what it is that township and rural economies need to do differently to attract new business and how the environment needs to change to counter some of their challenges.
If you want to have a business that endures, you need to move out of your comfort zone every day. Dr Rethabile Melamu, general manager of the Green Economy at the Innovation Hub, speaks on this week's episode about what it takes to run an effective future-fit business. www.theinnovationhub.com
Getting funding is a challenge, even when there isn't a pandemic devastating economies. In episode 4 Darlene Menzies, CEO and founder of Finfind, discusses what funders are looking for and different funds available for small businesses.
In this week’s podcast Allon Raiz, CEO of Raizcorp, provides entrepreneurs with a much-needed approach to help small businesses survive the effects of the global pandemic. He discusses leadership, cashflow, and safeguarding current clients, while gaining new markets.
Trevor Wittles, the owner of Shawarma Express, showed determination to save his restaurants and the jobs of his employees by delivering Shawarma ingredients instead of hot Shawarmas.
This week he tells us how he saved his business from closing shop during lockdown level 5 and adapted to the changing business environment.
As the world faces the pandemic in unified isolation, many industries have been forced to relook their models – fashion is no different. This week we speak to acclaimed fashion designer David Tlale to find out how the pandemic is affecting the people who design our clothes and to chief economist at IQ Business, Sifiso Skenjana, on how businesses operating in this space could mitigate the risk. David Tlale