So many opportunities, so little time! sigh!

Building a new career
Zara Nicholson

06 July 2007 at 11h00

After working in the construction industry for more than 30 years, Mitchell's Plain entrepreneur Jalaludien Adams earlier this year took a leap of faith and started a business, assisted by his friends. Jalaludien Adams Construction was started in February when Adams, 52, eventually heeded the advice of his friend Neville Solomons. The final decision was made while the two and another friend, Alan Corker, were building a braai unit at Corker's home.

Solomons said they decided to venture into this field because construction was likely to remain the most "lucrative" option in the coming years. "At the moment everyone is renovating and building, maybe because of 2010, in order to hire out their houses, so this field is looking very lucrative," he said.

While the business bears Adams's name, the three men are partners. Solomons still works for the SA Navy, where he has been employed for 24 years, but helps his friends over weekends - dealing with the paperwork, legalities and accounts of the business. Corker, 50, a former spray painting supervisor, and Adams have been friends for years. They are based at Solomons's home in Westridge and registered the business with the department of trade and industry (DTI) in February. Since then they've worked on three projects that each took two to three months - the biggest being a R48 000 contract.

About starting the venture, Solomons said, "The business started very slowly - and is slow at this stage - because of the wet weather and other things. But we discussed it and said that we would work hard and stick it out. It is still tough but we are getting there, we have to have patience and it will work out one day."

They have not bought any new machines or tools, but work with the tools Adams acquired during his career. They also work with men in the industry with whom Adams has previously worked. The only obstacles they have had to overcome were getting the business registered and finding an accountant - which have both been addressed with the help of staff at the Red Door offices.

Red Door is an initiative of the provincial government. It offers free advice and information to small business owners. Solomons said they had only had a short time in which to register and missed the deadline, so had to start all over again. Red Door consultant Donovan Stevens at the Mitchell's Plain office recommended an accountant, who has proved to be "very helpful".

About the advice they received, Solomons said, "He (Stevens) was on the spot and it did not take him long to give the information we required. He gave just what was needed". Solomons said the business was growing slowly but that they had faith that things would improve. "It's going very, very slowly but we must just have faith and believe that things are going to get much better. Everything is done in faith at the moment," he said.

Future plans include taking on bigger projects and giving back to the community by sponsoring initiatives and employing people.

Zara.nicholson@inl.co.za