Assisting small businesses through all challenges
JOBURG – For three days, business and all that goes with it was the topic of discussion.
Running businesses, managing, buying and franchising are all topics that were covered at the Small Business Expo.
From 8 to 10 September, the Small Business Expo, along with the Buy a Business Expo, was held at the TicketPro Dome in Johannesburg.
Carol Weaving, managing director at Thebe Reed Exhibitions, explained why it is essential to hold this kind of exhibition in South Africa. “We have this Small Business Expo – a very critical exhibition right now in South Africa – and I think it’s really about stimulating employment and job opportunity.
“More importantly, it’s for small business owners looking to expand and grow, and maybe find advice – especially in terms of finance and writing a business proposal. This particular show is really about education, knowledge-sharing and information-gathering so that business owners can make all the right decisions going forward.”
This mecca for small businesses was the perfect place for everyone because it did not only offer education, but also the opportunity for people to sell a business, buy a business and even become part of a franchise.
Businesses from far and wide, including the Lions Rest Game Lodge from the Free State, exhibited their offerings over the three-day show. Pauline Mahlangu, of the lodge, explained why she brought her business to be exhibited in Johannesburg. “By coming to this show, we are going to promote our business and create business.”
Franchise businesses including the famed beauty salon, Sorbet, were represented at the show. Marketing manager of the salon franchise, Jade Kirkel, hosted a seminar about franchising and marketing, and spoke about the initial challenges. “When we finally got our first franchisee I was worried about whether they’d love the business and represent it as I do.
“This is a business my father started and we built it together over 10 years. Now we have more than 160 stores in South Africa and two in the UK.”
In addition, there were also companies set up to assist small business owners with immediate finance, governance, laws and regulations, and so much more to make business as simple as possible.
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