Business of a business started for Mags at early age
GROWING up in the rural community of umzinto, Magashan “Mags” Reddy learnt the value of hard work from a very young age.
The 42-year-old’s drive for making money began in primary school where he sold vegetables door-to-door. The vegetables he sold, had been cultivated by his dad at his farm.
Reddy attended Umzinto Secondary School and went on to study graphic design at the ML Sultan Technical College.
Born to a farmer of a father and a mom who was a sewing instructor, learning the intricacies of running a business started with observing his dad sell vegetables in his hometown. Eventually, he did too. Reddy combined his passion for business, with the technological evolution and formulated his business, Permavert Investments that deals with all things communication related.
The business is a digital agency that specialises in creating a digital footprint for businesses on all digital platforms. The business encompasses digital strategy, policy, licensing, content development and management, applications, web design, marketing, social media, billing solutions, data analytics and return on investments (ROI) on digital investments.
The business operates from Durban, with satellite offices in Johannesburg and Namibia.
“Business was always in my blood. From my primary school days, I sold vegetables door-to-door. In high school I bought a bicycle and sold vegetables within the town and when I was studying, I sold paper and art supplies to my fellow design students. I never stopped working and finding different ways to make money.”
Through the years, Reddy focused on the communication and information sectors, with a key involvement in government initiatives, providing much-needed consultation to key industry players with great ideas on how to disrupt innovation in an ever-evolving technological world.
From a young age, his passion for art was evident and he made it his mission to become a part of this creative field, while running his own business. As such, his lessons in business have been diverse.
“I have a natural creative side and have grown my creativity into a business because of my love for innovation which was evident from the time I was in Grade 8. I have learnt through the years that in life we need a balance of love and business, and my love and passion for what I do has ensured that I pick up again after failing in business many times.”
Reddy’s advice to emerging entrepreneurs is to focus on a business opportunity that can be converted into a product that people want and need. Second, he recommends working hard and being adaptable to change, and finally he subscribes to the values of human capital as being the driving force behind a business.
With aspirations to have the business become a global name, Reddy remains motivated by his need to succeed and inherent drive. As such, failure is not an option for him. “Failure is part of the process of owning a business and everyone goes through it. For me, I take the lessons, regroup, refocus and try again. I am not opposed to hard work and even though I’ve had a few massive failures, it has never gotten me down. I come back fighting harder and stronger. That tenacity is essential in business”.
Reddy can be contacted on mags@permavert.com.