Lebo Braids Specialist
| Business Location: | Rural area - Villages |
| Province | Limpopo |
| Branch: | Waterberg |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Company |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
Lebo Johannah Kutumela is the founder and sole owner of Lebo Braids Specialist (Pty) Ltd. The business operates from two locations: a rented premise at 974 Sterkwater Phase 1, Mapela 0602 (27 kilometres northwest of Mokopane), and another location at the Mokopane Shoprite taxi rank. It commenced full-time operations in September 2022 with the primary goal of creating employment for the owner. The business began as a hair salon and had since expanded its product line to include manufacturing and selling hair products. The main customers range from children to middle-aged women.
Lebo Kutumela, a self-taught hairdresser, began doing hair informally in 2016 while still in matric. In January 2023, however, she decided to further hone her skills by enrolling at the Glamorous School of Beauty in Mokopane. Recognizing her passion, Lebo formalized her skills and launched a formal hair salon business in September 2022. With valuable assistance from SEDA, the business was officially registered in October 2022. Savings generated from prior years' revenue funded the launch of the business.
Challenges/Needs:
Lebo Kutumela first contacted SEDA Waterberg branch in October 2022, seeking business development services; while conducting an assessment, the following challenges were identified:
· Non-compliance, i.e., the business was not registered with CIPC and SARS.
· Lack of business skills to understand how to run and grow the business.
· Inability of the entrepreneur to raise capital to fund business growth.
· Lacking marketing skills and tactics.
· Absence of both financial planning and record keeping.
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
SEDA Waterberg branch assisted Lebo Kutumela with formalising her company.
· To address the issue of access to markets, the client was invited and attended Popup Market held at Mokopane in June 2023 and as well as Trade Exhibition at SEDA/CBRTA Women`s Event- Lephalale in August 2023. These interventions assisted the business to attract more customers.
· The client was assisted with a business plan to apply for Sefa TREP Funding.
· The entrepreneur also attended a three-day Financial Management training course that assisted her with financial recording and planning.
· She also attended Quality Management Systems training to equip the client with the knowledge on procedures to produce quality and safe products.
· To address the issue of access to markets, the client was invited and attended Popup Market held at Mokopane in June 2023 and as well as Trade Exhibition at SEDA/CBRTA Women`s Event- Lephalale in August 2023. These interventions assisted the business to attract more customers.
· The client was assisted with a business plan to apply for Sefa TREP Funding.
· The entrepreneur also attended a three-day Financial Management training course that assisted her with financial recording and planning.
· She also attended Quality Management Systems training to equip the client with the knowledge on procedures to produce quality and safe products.
Outcome Details:
Turnover increased from R 96 000 to R 120 000 per annum, a 33% growth.
· Three new jobs were created, increasing employment from 1 to 4 jobs.
· With the knowledge acquired during the drafting the business plan with a service provider, the entrepreneur is now also able to update business plan and submit funding applications on her own.
· The entrepreneur’s financial management skills have improved, and she now has the confidence to keep the company’s records using MS Excel.
· Three new jobs were created, increasing employment from 1 to 4 jobs.
· With the knowledge acquired during the drafting the business plan with a service provider, the entrepreneur is now also able to update business plan and submit funding applications on her own.
· The entrepreneur’s financial management skills have improved, and she now has the confidence to keep the company’s records using MS Excel.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
Seda is helping me a lot in my business I am thankful for all the support
