ZOWEH PHARMACY
| Business Location: | Township |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Branch: | Amajuba |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Company |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
Pharmacy
Challenges/Needs:
Mr. Mngadi approached SEDFA for assistance with business development interventions as he had no prior business skills on how to operate, manage and grow a business successfully. Some of the challenges experienced were lack of business planning, administration and marketing. Also, being a newly established business, Zoweh Pharmacy struggled to attract large volumes of customers necessary to increase sales. Consequently, the business took a significant hit, due to insufficient cash flows and could not timeously honor its debt obligations to SEFA and was unable to replenish fast moving stock. Accordingly, Mr. Mngadi approached SEDFA for assistance and support regarding these challenges.
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
SEDFA conducted a company assessment (Small Business Assessment Tool) which identified gaps and outlined the appropriate interventions required to close those gaps. The SEDFA business advisor conducted a site visit and it was discovered that although the business is positioned in a prime location, the client did not have adequate marketing material to attract the desired clientele and promote the business’ service offerings. A proposal for Marketing Material (Signage ) was done ,which resulted in the installation of a signage board being installed on the premises as well as tear-drop banners for display at the entrance of the pharmacy in order to attract more customers and to be locally competitive.
Mr Mngadi also invited to promote his business at the Osizweni Local Trade Exhibition, which was a collaboration between SEDFA and stakeholders. The event was to enable local businesses around Osizweni to promote their products and service offerings. Mr Mngadi also received Productivity Training and ongoing support and to assist in streamlining their operations in order to maximise on efficiency.
Mr Mngadi also invited to promote his business at the Osizweni Local Trade Exhibition, which was a collaboration between SEDFA and stakeholders. The event was to enable local businesses around Osizweni to promote their products and service offerings. Mr Mngadi also received Productivity Training and ongoing support and to assist in streamlining their operations in order to maximise on efficiency.
Outcome Details:
As a result of SEDFAs intervention, Zoweh Pharmacy managed to increase its client base. As a result of the marketing material the business has become more visible to the local community, thus attracting and broadening its clientele.
Zoweh pharmacy achieved the following improvements:
• Turnover increased by 33.4 % from R120 000.00 to R160 000.00 (Improvement Assessment Period) September to November 2024), a significant turnaround considering the number of big competitors in the area.
• The company added three new jobs whilst sustaining three existing ones, an increase of 50% in jobs created.
• The increase in sales resulted in positive cash flow for business. Zoweh Pharmacy is now up to date with loan repayments to SEFA.
• Zoweh Pharmacy earned a lucrative 3 year contract with Medilogistics. This contract entails the facilitation of receiving, issuing and storing of medical parcels for patients and as a convenient PUP for the Osizweni community.
Zoweh pharmacy achieved the following improvements:
• Turnover increased by 33.4 % from R120 000.00 to R160 000.00 (Improvement Assessment Period) September to November 2024), a significant turnaround considering the number of big competitors in the area.
• The company added three new jobs whilst sustaining three existing ones, an increase of 50% in jobs created.
• The increase in sales resulted in positive cash flow for business. Zoweh Pharmacy is now up to date with loan repayments to SEFA.
• Zoweh Pharmacy earned a lucrative 3 year contract with Medilogistics. This contract entails the facilitation of receiving, issuing and storing of medical parcels for patients and as a convenient PUP for the Osizweni community.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
"My sincere gratitude to SEDFA for the assistance, guidance and support received in growing Zoweh Pharmacy. Keep up the good work you are doing to develop businesses."
