Weziwe Mxoli
| Business Location: | Township |
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| Branch: | Nelson Mandela Bay |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Not Registered |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
Clothing and Textile
Challenges/Needs:
Weziwe faced several challenges as her business grew. A lack of modern equipment hindered her ability to scale production efficiently. Additionally, storage space for finished products was inadequate, which complicated operations and order fulfillment. Another significant hurdle was the absence of signage, which limited visibility and forced Weziwe to rely solely on word-of-mouth marketing to attract customers.
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
With assistance from Seda, Weziwe successfully applied for the IMEDP grant to acquire much-needed equipment. Through the grant, she received two new sewing machines and a cabinet to store finished products, directly addressing her production and storage challenges. This intervention enabled her to improve her operational efficiency and meet growing customer demands.
The business owner approached Seda and was assisted by Lizle Schultz, Business Advisor in the Nelson Mandela Bay Branch. After conducting an assessment, the Business Advisor was able to identify the gaps and recommended interventions to take the business forward. The business was assisted with the development of marketing material (pop-up banners and business cards) which he used at the Nelson Mandela Bay /EP Herald Bridal Expo. This also gave the business a professional image as the owner could provide potential buyers with a business card. An internal mentorship project was raised to assist the owner with the strategic direction of the business. This included assisting him with the application for the Torino (Italy) Fashion Week, obtaining sponsorships and purchasing the necessary raw materials.
The business owner approached Seda and was assisted by Lizle Schultz, Business Advisor in the Nelson Mandela Bay Branch. After conducting an assessment, the Business Advisor was able to identify the gaps and recommended interventions to take the business forward. The business was assisted with the development of marketing material (pop-up banners and business cards) which he used at the Nelson Mandela Bay /EP Herald Bridal Expo. This also gave the business a professional image as the owner could provide potential buyers with a business card. An internal mentorship project was raised to assist the owner with the strategic direction of the business. This included assisting him with the application for the Torino (Italy) Fashion Week, obtaining sponsorships and purchasing the necessary raw materials.
Outcome Details:
The support from the IMEDP grant brought about remarkable growth for Wezi Clothing & Bedding. The business experienced an impressive 142% increase in turnover, rising from R3,500 to R8,480. The team expanded from one employee to three, representing a 200% increase in employment. With the new equipment, production rates increased, enabling the business to complete and deliver orders on time.
Weziwe is optimistic about the future and believes that further training to enhance her skills will lead to even greater productivity and growth.
Weziwe is optimistic about the future and believes that further training to enhance her skills will lead to even greater productivity and growth.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
The owner had the following to say: “We are very grateful for the IMEDP grant. It has made a big difference in our production, and we are now in a position to push through more orders. This support has truly transformed our business."
