Sublime Glass act driven by passion
Unique offering of manufacturing and design supported by quality, ethics and service
APASSION for design and a relentless entrepreneurial spirit proved to be a winning combination for Sublime Glass owner Guss Lilley.
Trained as an interior designer and with nine years’ experience as a retail store designer, Lilley, 34, opted to utilise his talent in the unique industry of glass manufacturing and design.
He said he had heard about the sale of Sublime Glass about four years ago while at a weekend braai.
He jumped at the opportunity, buying the Walmer-based business, adding his unique design flare for design.
What is your core service?
Sublime Glass specialises in coloured and frameless architectural glass products, serving both the domestic and commercial markets – from coloured glass splashbacks and frameless showers to commercial glass signage.
What made you venture into this type of industry?
Starting my career as a retail store designer, designing for national retail brands, I always knew I wanted to follow my dream of having my own business.
What makes your business unique?
Anybody can have a business with a product that’s in demand. But having a unique product that sets you apart is nothing without the underlying values of quality, ethics and good service.
If someone wanted to copy your business model, how would they start?
When looking at other business models, it is always important to do your research and to remember that starting a business is not a “one size fits all”.
What are some of the biggest inhibitors your business faced before even getting off the ground?
Taking over an existing business, the biggest inhibitors were trying to do everything myself.
Any tips for budding entrepreneurs or new business owners?
Where do I start? The romantic notion of being a business owner becomes a manic reality in the cold light of day. It takes hard work and perseverance. The highs are high and the lows, low.
“But if you are passionate about what you do, your reward will come naturally.
“It is critical to remind yourself that the reward, especially in the early stages, may not be in monetary form, but rather the small successes you achieve day in and out. And these need to be celebrated. However, none of this can be celebrated if you don’t surround yourself with a positive support base, whether it be family, friends or a mentor.
What are some of the biggest challenges in running the day-to-day side of the business?
Balancing the hands-on aspect of my business with the administrative requirements is a daily task – I need to work at finding the right ratio. Having said this, owning your own business you will quickly find that 9-to-5 does not apply to you, and it is the hours around that where the hard work lies hidden.
What are the some of the best practices that have made your business successful?
Respect – we are invited into my clients’ homes and personal spaces – it is imperative that we treat this invitation with respect.
Quality – if I would not be happy with something, I could never expect my clients to be.
Teamwork – valuing my team and creating a positive work environment in which they become better than me at their craft.
What advertising do you do?
We rely mainly on word of mouth and referrals from past projects. We also advertise via social media platforms, like Instagram (@Sublime_Glass), as well as our website, www.sublimeglass.co.za
What is your company’s vision?
Sublime Glass’s vision is to be a local leader in the coloured glass industry; not to be the biggest but the best, respected for service, quality and being able to deliver on keeping up to date with industry trends.
What is your target market?
Our target market ranges from a domestic client right through to commercial projects.
What are some of your highlights in running your business?
The highlights are always walking away from successful installations leaving clients happy with their investment. Also having the flexibility to find the work-life balance everyone strives for.
How many people does your enterprise employ?
At present three.
Do you have plans to expand your business?
Yes, we are considering other income-generating avenues around product design for retail.
How did you get funding for your business?
I was very fortunate to have the support of my family who, as business owners, support my dream to become an entrepreneur, and I bravely asked for a loan from my father.
The romantic notion of being a business owner becomes a manic reality in the cold light of day