Community Business Owners hosts breakfast in Kyalami to share ideas
Caxton Joburg Metro’s editor-in-chief Marietta Lombard said Caxton aims to be the voice of the entire community, from homeowners to school learners and church pastors to business owners.
“The biggest mistake small business owners make is to distribute business cards without engaging the business person, knowing them or their business.”
These were the words of Andrew Wainwright, one of the founders of Community Business Owners (CBO).
He was speaking at the CBO breakfast hosted by business owners at Kyalami Corner’s The Baron on September 6, which is also supported by Caxton Local Media.
Read more: SME Growth Summit 2024 empowers small businesses
Wainwright said in the mercurial world of business, it is vital for business owners to regularly connect, engage, and network with each other.
Attended by local business owners, some came from far to share their businesses with other entrepreneurs.
Wainwright said he was happy about these sessions because there were three Information Technology (IT) individuals who came together and formed a company.
“We have a success story with these sessions. So as business people, we should not see each other as competitors, but more of collaboration. Collaborations will help you elevate your business to the next level,” said Wainwright.
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After the speeches, the business owners were given one minute to pitch their businesses to the attendees.
Aphiwe Gola of IT Plus Technologies in Midrand said his business deals with copper and fibre cabling solutions.
“So, on copper, we do wi-fi, CCTV, as well as network points for the users. On the fibre side, we install new lines and repair the old ones if they need to be repaired,” said Gola.
Marietta Lombard, Caxton Joburg Metro’s editor-in-chief, said, “Caxton’s endorsement of the summit demonstrates its unwavering support for local business. We aim to be the voice of the entire community, from homeowners to school learners, and church pastors to business owners.”
“Community Business Owners (CBO) is a platform that brings together local community business owners; to meet on the first Friday of each month at local eateries. During these monthly in-person sessions, business owners engage, network, and enjoy a meal with like-minded individuals; to support, promote and help grow each other’s businesses for the betterment of the local business community economy. Presently there are 6 formal in-person chapters meeting monthly in Gauteng and over 500 SMEs on the database (and growing). The ultimate purpose of CBO is to grow and promote community businesses to empower, strengthen, and uplift the local community economy. For more info visit Cboconnect.co.za”
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