John recently established his own tuck shop business after failing to secure employment in past years.
He describes his journey to being an entrepreneur as an eye opening one, because if he wasn’t retrenched he would have not seen the business opportunity that presented itself.
“Sometimes we have to be put in a tight position before we unleash our potential and being unemployed has made me discover traits that I thought I didn’t possess,” says the entrepreneur.
Read other #MakingIt stories: Bongs’ business
John used his retrenchment package to start his business and rent his uncle’s garage, which he says is positioned in a lucrative space where a lot of people will have access to his shop.
“I think the one challenge that a lot of small businesses are facing is finding the right area where the services will be needed and supported by customers.
“Entrepreneurs need to go back to basics and position their establishment where they can thrive and grow,” he says.
Currently he sells necessities that the community needs and he says he has seen a gap for fast foods, which he plans to offer very soon.
He mentions that his biggest challenge is pricing his goods because being from the area, he is well aware that the majority of people living there are unemployed and can’t afford things.
“I sometimes see customers walking into my shop with insufficient amounts to buy bread or milk, which makes me sad because I’m also trying to run a profitable business and cannot reduce my prices to accommodate them,” says Tsotetsi.
He encourages the youth to stand up and make their dreams a reality instead of waiting for employment.
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