Waiting for Government to do something
Waiting for the Private Sector to do something
Waiting, waiting, waiting.
Listen up people - it ain't gonna happen! The only time something will happen, is if we get off our arses and make it happen!
So stop waiting and get doing!
Café owners stir up success
Red Door offers business advice and assistance
Moses Mdewu Mackay
25 May 2007 at 10h00
After more than two decades of enriching others, a Strandfontein couple have opened their own business - answering President Thabo Mbeki's call that South Africans learn to do things for themselves. Mervin Petersen, 39, and wife Ursula, 43, are co-owners of Capricorn Convenience Café, a business they opened in the new housing development area in Muizenberg three months ago. Mervyn said they were inspired to start the business in February after hearing about the government's supportive role in helping small to medium enterprises. But, said Ursula, they did not want to apply for loans at the major banks and first saved money for a year before opening the cafe near Baden Powell Drive. "We bought our first stock for the business and we paid the rent for four months in advance," she said.
After more than two decades of enriching others, a Strandfontein couple have opened their own business - answering President Thabo Mbeki's call that South Africans learn to do things for themselves. Mervin Petersen, 39, and wife Ursula, 43, are co-owners of Capricorn Convenience Café, a business they opened in the new housing development area in Muizenberg three months ago. Mervyn said they were inspired to start the business in February after hearing about the government's supportive role in helping small to medium enterprises. But, said Ursula, they did not want to apply for loans at the major banks and first saved money for a year before opening the cafe near Baden Powell Drive. "We bought our first stock for the business and we paid the rent for four months in advance," she said.
Mervyn worked as a technician for Telkom for 22 years before resigning recently to focus on their business. In the run-up to the launch, the Petersens felt that they needed more business advice, so they visited the Red Door offices in Mitchell's Plain. There they were assisted by business adviser Donovan Stevens, who also helped with the registration of the business with the South African Revenue Services (Sars).
The couple only have praise for Stevens for being their inspiration behind their business. "He still calls us to inquire whether the business is doing OK!" said Mervyn. They also participated in a series of business seminars organised by the Raymond Ackerman Foundation. Mervyn said it was too early to say whether the business was growing. " It's still small. We are taking baby steps to ensure that it grows," he said. Ursula said they also planned to open a second café in Beach Road, Muizenberg on June 1 and hoped to some day start a wholesale business that would supply small businesses.
Three years ago Ursula started a bridal shop making gowns for hire, which she operated from home and is still running successfully. Did they have any advice for aspirant business people? Mervyn said starting businesses required patience, and that people needed to believe in themselves.
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