Wildfire Trading 304 (Pty) Ltd
| Business Location: | Rural |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Branch: | uMgungundlovu |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Company |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
1. Fuel Retailing: Operates an Engen service station supplying fuel and convenience goods.
2. Vehicle Care Services (Planned):
2.1 Car Wash with multiple bays
3. Personal Care Services (Planned):
3.1 Spa and grooming studio for wellness and beauty treatments
4. Food & Lifestyle Services (Planned):
4.1 Shisanyama/Braai area for food and social gatherings
4.2 Lifestyle lounge offering a relaxed community space for patrons
5. Convenience Retail: Services for walk-in customers and commuters seeking fuel, refreshments, and leisure in one stop
Challenges/Needs:
•Lack of a clear plan for expansion and diversification.
•Need for funding and feasibility support for a major infrastructure investment.
•Limited internal capacity for assessing market viability, especially in combining diverse services like a spa, car wash, and Shisanyama.
•Underutilization of space and customer touchpoints beyond the core fuel service.
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
•A Business Model Canvas was developed to unpack and align the business’s vision with market opportunities.
•A full Expansion Plan was created by SEDFA, outlining the phased implementation of the new services including car wash bays, a spa and grooming studio, a lounge, and a Shisanyama area—utilizing modular and eco-friendly infrastructure.
•A feasibility study was recommended, and procurement was initiated for implementation support.
•The business was referred to the KwaZulu-Natal Women Advancement Fund for funding to support the expansion.
•A full Expansion Plan was created by SEDFA, outlining the phased implementation of the new services including car wash bays, a spa and grooming studio, a lounge, and a Shisanyama area—utilizing modular and eco-friendly infrastructure.
•A feasibility study was recommended, and procurement was initiated for implementation support.
•The business was referred to the KwaZulu-Natal Women Advancement Fund for funding to support the expansion.
Outcome Details:
•Turnover increased from R108,305,315 to R110,169,354, reflecting a growth of R1,864,039, attributed to the acquisition of a second service site.
•Net profit increased from R1,291,540 to R1,365,279, demonstrating effective cost management despite expansion activities.
•Employment rose from 10 to 24 staff members, showing a net creation of 14 new jobs, and 10 jobs sustained within a year.
•The business has moved significantly closer to realizing its goal of becoming a community- cantered hub, with long-term projections showing potential revenue exceeding R150 million within 3 years post-expansion.
•The client demonstrated strong uptake and participation throughout Seda’s intervention, and funding outcomes are expected soon.
•Turnover increased from R108,305,315 to R110,169,354, reflecting a growth of R1,864,039, attributed to the acquisition of a second service site.
•Net profit increased from R1,291,540 to R1,365,279, demonstrating effective cost management despite expansion activities.
•Employment rose from 10 to 24 staff members, showing a net creation of 14 new jobs, and 10 jobs sustained within a year.
•The business has moved significantly closer to realizing its goal of becoming a community- cantered hub, with long-term projections showing potential revenue exceeding R150 million within 3 years post-expansion.
•The client demonstrated strong uptake and participation throughout Seda’s intervention, and funding outcomes are expected soon.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
I’ve been in business for over 11 years, and in all my interactions with government—from national to provincial to local—I’ve never met anyone like you. I’m not saying this to win favour, but out of pure honesty. You’ve gone beyond expectations.
Many officials only help people they know, but you are truly passionate about your work. You showed real interest in my business and listened to what I had to say. We need more people like you to make this country a better place to live, work, and raise our children.- T. Malatsi, Wildfire Trading 304 (Pty) Ltd
Many officials only help people they know, but you are truly passionate about your work. You showed real interest in my business and listened to what I had to say. We need more people like you to make this country a better place to live, work, and raise our children.- T. Malatsi, Wildfire Trading 304 (Pty) Ltd
