Entrepreneur cooking up a storm
Previously unemployed woman started small selling pig heads, now has her own catering business in Zwide
BULELWA Witbooi was unemployed and had resigned herself to her fate when the seed of entrepreneurship was planted in her mind. Today, she runs Umzomo Omhle, a burgeoning catering business from home – and this is only the start of her business endeavours.
Can you provide some background on yourself and how and when you started your business?
I started my business by selling pig heads, both cooked and raw, to neighbours, as well as at taverns and shebeens.
It went very well, and after [a while] I started to braai and sell meat at the shebeens.
I also sold sweets, cigarettes, airtime and soft drinks from my home in Zwide.
Then I decided to open my own business as a caterer. The company was formalised and registered in 2014.
I didn’t know anything about business before [I joined the Siyahlwayela programme by] the Comsec incubator.
There was an announcement in the community that Comsec would be visiting the area and anyone who was interested [was] welcome. That is where I found the motivation to start my own business.
What is your core service?
Catering for any event. I do all the cooking at home, where I have a special kitchen for the business.
I cook fresh food on the day of the event, and often have to get up at 5am to cook for funerals and other occasions.
How was your idea born?
When I was selling pork in the shebeens, patrons said I should also cook and provide other food. Then I started to braai there.
What makes your business stand out from others?
The taste and presentation of my food. I rely on repeat business from people who have used my services and don’t want to use another caterer after that.
What is the biggest event for which you’ve catered?
The biggest event I’ve ever done was a Methodist music festival in 2016, with about 1 500 people in attendance.
What are some of the biggest inhibitors you faced before getting your business off the ground?
I haven’t really had serious challenges because I kept to the teachings from Comsec on how to overcome obstacles, identify the market and to only sell what is in demand. I did my market research, so when I started I knew what people wanted and started there. As a result, the business started like a house on fire. You can’t take the business’s money and spend it all on your personal needs. You’ve got to save some to make sure that the business grows. So I kept putting some money away.
What is the most important piece of advice you received in your training that you still use?
One of the things facilitator Zwaai Mahlulo said which stuck with me was ‘never mind the fact that the unemployment rate is so high; you can start small, as long as you have done your market research and you know that what you are selling is something that people need and want’. Don’t be casual about it. You will be surprised how the business will pay you back by growing. Even though [my husband and I were] unemployed, when I had the seed to start [the business], I started with vigour and energy and that has paid off.
How do you define success in your business?
Positive feedback and empty plates.
What kind of advertising do you do?
After I registered the business, I printed flyers and distributed those at schools and churches. Even at events, I continued to give the flyers to attendees so they all knew who had cooked at the event.
What are some of your highlights in running your own business?
The fact that now I can buy things that I’ve always desired to buy because the business is doing well is a highlight.
Before I started my business that was not a possibility, but now I can afford it. The business has made my soul grow and my perspective in life has changed.
How important is social media and an online presence for your business?
I haven’t used social media for my business yet.
How many people do you employ?
I have 10 employees at the moment. They are from Zwide and surrounding areas and I have trained them myself.
Do you have any plans for expanding the business, and how would you go about this?
I have been to a catering equipment supplier and I’ve made arrangements to buy a soft serve machine, so I can sell ice cream from my family home. I also want to build a garage and turn it into a business hub, then I’m going to make fish and chips.
I recently bought a truck for the business, which will be used to transport food from home to the function venues. It can also be used as a truck for hire for the transport of food items.
How did you acquire funding for the business?
When my husband Michael, who is blind, started earning a disability grant, I took some of it and started small from that.
What do you think are the three key traits of a successful entrepreneur?
You must be honest. You must have respect for your employees and keep your word to them. Finally, you must maintain your standards because your standards are what brought you to where you are.