Take Charge – Career Snippets
Busisiwe Mdletshe, 40, founder and CEO of Btmt Capital, talks about sustainable development goals and aiding economic growth
What motivated you to start Btmt Capital? I never considered myself an entrepreneur. I thought that the best I would do for myself would be to climb the corporate ladder. When I started working as a tax specialist at the South African Revenue Service, I realised that some of the smaller companies didn’t understand what tax implications meant. Many people were not tax-compliant, and ran their businesses in an unprofessional manner because they lacked the appropriate knowledge. As a result, their businesses suffered. I decided to offer my services to small businesses. In time, my business grew to the point where I could take on bigger clients and high-network individuals. How did your childhood influence your journey? My parents were unable to further their education, and their jobs did not pay enough for them to support us. My childhood was not easy because of our financial struggles. But, my stepmother’s involvement in my life played a big role in where I am today. She advised my father to take early retirement to pay for my tertiary education. She made me realise that education is the only solution to your problems. I made sure that I excelled in my studies, and in everything I do today. Why is mentorship crucial when venturing into entrepreneurship? I approached Naspers CEO Phuti MahanyeleDabengwa for mentorship in 2014 because she was experienced and successful. Having a mentor helped me to stick to a plan and not deviate from my goals. It’s important to have professional guidance in business. People often confuse a mentor for a role model – they are completely different. A role model can be anyone you look up to, in general, but a mentor is someone who guides you and is brutally honest. You need this type of guidance in business. What are the Btmt Capital broadcast financial advisory shows about? We target certain groups, including the youth, and use different media platforms to do shows where we advise them on the importance of tax compliance. We share information about target markets, financial and business management for small businesses, personal finance and how to address competition.
If you could choose a different career, what would it be and why? I wanted to be a teacher, but chose to do social work after matric. Then, I was advised against it, and ended up doing a BCom Accounting degree, only because I had met the minimum requirements. Now, I wouldn’t change my career because I’m living my dream. I can be a teacher and social worker through the Busi M Foundation that I founded in 2015 to assist the youth, and be an accountant, all at the same time.
What are your plans for the future? To assist the youth with education, and see them add value to the economy. By working together, we can achieve suitable goals in various sectors of the country.