Kanda Kul Concepts owner helping put artists on the stage, and earning
A passion for music and entrepreneurship makes Port Elizabeth’s Sizwe Yaze, 32, a force to be reckoned with in the arts and entertainment industry.
The Kanda Kul Concepts owner is determined to expand the database and access to local creatives beyond SA, to help curb unemployment in the arts and entertainment industry.
Please share some background on yourself and how the business was started.
I was introduced to the world of entrepreneurship by my father.
In 2016, I ventured into independence and founded Kanda Kul Concepts through his indirect mentorship.
What is your core service? International recruitment of artists, in-house event management and arts workshops.
What makes your business unique?
The uniqueness of our business solely stems from unconventional, daring business concepts, together with creative conceptualism, which brings solutions to both clients and employees.
If someone wanted to copy your business model, how would they start?
They would have to love the model first.
It would require careful understanding of key industries, arts, entertainment, tourism and international relations.
What are some of the biggest inhibitors your business faced before getting off the ground?
The biggest inhibitors I faced was not executing some of the earlier concepts that would have added much more value to the business today.
The second is working alone. This brought less solutions or rather one-dimensional possibilities.
Do you have any tips for budding entrepreneurs or new business owners?
I would say, entrepreneurial collaborations are a key tip, especially with the abnormalities occurring due to Covid-19.
The business world has been forced to improvise and adapt.
Entrepreneurs should look at collaborating with both local and international organisations exploiting the virtual communication medium.
What are some of your biggest challenges in day-today business operations and your particular industry?
Currently, I would say the biggest day-to-day challenge is caused by the inconveniences that have been brought about by the lockdown.
Everything is either delayed or cancelled and that has a crippling effect on the business as we can’t operate as efficiently as we would like to.
What is the best advice anyone gave you on success?
I once came across the saying “live for something bigger than you”.
Till this day that has been my motto on success.
Living for something bigger than me makes me look at higher spheres of possibilities that I personally could not comprehend.
How do you measure or define success in your business?
Our success is defined and measured on the basis of independent reviews and completion of projects according to the clients, audience and our satisfaction.
What are some of the best practices that have made your business successful?
The best practices are mainly research, training and inhouse skills. These three are key in business tool practices towards sustenance and success of the business.
What kind of advertising do you do?
We advertise on all the key social media platforms, callouts, posters and word-ofmouth.
What is your target market?
Our target market is broad as it is open to many sectors and industries.
It is also segmented. On one side it’s creatives, musicians, actors, authors and entertainers, and on the other it is organisations and businesses we hold a common interest with.
What is your company’s vision?
Our vision is to become a powerhouse and a core source of unfamiliar, out-of-the-box artistic programmes.
We seek to develop relations with key art institutions both locally and globally to bridge the gap between artists and international agencies.
Do you have any plans for expanding the business, and how would you go about this?
Based on our rapidly growing international recruiting business relations initiative, we seek to spread the idea of possibilities and opportunities beyond SA.
We are determined to expand the database and access to creatives whom we are exposed to, to curb increasing unemployment in the arts and entertainment industry in SA.
How important is social media and an online presence for your business?
Social media is the driving force of our business as it holds immediate interaction with our target market.
It is also a great platform in growing brand awareness, followers and supporters.
How many people do you employ?
Based on our project recruitment contracts, we have created many international jobs and prospects of more jobs in local projects in 2021.
What have some of your highlights been in running your business?
The intention is to grow the business, expanding it to untouched or neglected areas of the entertainment and arts industry.
This will be advantageous to the business as it will be in the forefront of empowerment and exposure of untapped talent to global possibilities, paving the way for more business opportunities.
How did you acquire funding for the business?
Initially the company was funded by myself and I have since received project-based assistance from the department of sports, arts & culture, ECCPAC [Eastern Cape provincial arts & culture council] and the Mandela Bay Development Agency.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from your business journey so far?
Perseverance in working in business collaborations and not being afraid to affiliate with non-like-minded people.
What have been the greatest challenges and advantages of running your business in a city like PE?
The biggest challenge is getting people to align with your vision.
This requires a lot of patience and humility, especially when you may be the only one who understands the project or who gets the bigger picture.
The advantage is that PE is known for its creative potential, skill and out-of-the-box thinkers.
What do you believe are the three key traits of a successful entrepreneur?
Patience, sleepless nights, going the extra mile for your vision.
What do you believe are the key traits of a successful employer?
Assertiveness, social skills, sensitivity.
What do you wish people knew about your industry?
I feel it’s important for people, especially in government, to fully understand the importance of the creative industry enough to support organisations and companies who seek to redefine the industry.