ABSA has embarked on a campaign to support and empower SMEs across South Africa.
We sat with Die Akker Koffiehuis to get a better understanding of their business.
- When did you start your business?
Die Akker Koffiehuis was started in 1993 and has been part of the Potchefstroom community since then.
- What led you to pursue entrepreneurship?
I’ve always had an interest in the business of buying and selling, and when I was in primary school my parents were involved in different forms of catering businesses so that also influenced me to start this kind of business.
- What are the challenges you experience when you were starting your business and how did you overcome them?
I can’t really say I faced many challenges. You just grow cleverer as time goes on. You learn more efficient ways of doing things the more you grow as a businessman.
- What impact did the Covid-19 pandemic have on your business?
The Covid-19 pandemic affected the food industry as government closed restaurants, coffee shops and bars to stop the spread of the virus so everybody in our industry was severely impacted. The Impact didn’t last lon, and it wasn’t all that bad.
- Your business is one of the businesses that are part of the ABSA SME programme, what does this mean to you and how do such initiatives from corporates like Absa help SMEs?
Any initiative that is aimed at assisting small business owners is always welcomed but our intention is to continue growing and exposing our offering to more people beyond Potchefstroom.
- What is your advice for SMEs?
If you have an idea you think is going to work, it will probably work. Everybody is always afraid to start a business because of waiting for the right time but the truth is there will never be a right time to venture into something you’ve never done before. You have to start where you are, put in the hours and you will learn as you grow.
For more information about the Absa SME programme, please visit: https://www.absa.co.za/personal/bank/absa-rewards/sme-Friday/
Business details:
Die Akker Koffiehuis
86 Biko Avenue, Die Bult, Potchefstroom
Tel: 018 294 5038
