Tag: Small Business Entrepreneur

Inventive entrepreneur awarded Small Entrepreneur of the Year® award

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Bryan Anderson, co-owner of Delta Steam Systems and the creator of the revolutionary Delta Venturi steam trap system, has been awarded the Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year® title at the annual 2015 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® awards ceremony, held in Johannesburg this morning.

The Delta Venturi steam trap system, which removes water from steam systems to keep manufacturing systems efficient, is disrupting the global steam trap industry due to its simplicity and longevity. The business is experiencing tremendous growth in both local and international markets and yielding strong financial returns.

Delta Steam Systems was started in 2008 after Anderson continued to experience ongoing problems with the continuous failure of mechanical type steam traps, resulting in industrial companies around the world wasting millions of rands/dollars/euros. In addition to the product failure, the existing products available were very costly and had an extremely short lifespan.

After Anderson identified the need he went about designing and developing a product that has no moving parts which can fail, is more efficient over its entire lifespan when compared to other products, and is guaranteed for ten years.

According to Kobus Engelbrecht, a member of the 2015 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® judging panel, the judges were very impressed by Anderson’s ability to establish and grow a business of such a technical nature without possessing any technical qualifications. “Anderson displays the qualities of a true entrepreneur – identifying a problem within a certain industry, creating a solution for the problem, and turning this solution into a profitable business.”

Situated in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, the business has a sales footprint in more than 20 countries worldwide, and competes with multi-million dollar global companies, both in South Africa and abroad. As a result the business has steadily gained significant market share each year.

Anderson says being selected as a winner in the competition is encouraging and motivating. “Being acknowledged for my achievements has never been a motivating factor, but I realise now that what I have been putting my mind into has certainly been worthwhile, and has become something more than just an idea.”

He adds that recognising entrepreneurs is essential as it creates awareness to others of the role of the entrepreneur in business. “It also motivates others, especially younger generations, to be part of the entrepreneurial movement, which is essential to long term growth and the success of a country.”

For more information please visit www.delta-industries.com

Calling all entrepreneurs!

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Final countdown to enter the 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year competition begins. With just a little more than a month until entries close for the 2015 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition on 16 June 2015, South African entrepreneurs are encouraged to enter in order to be recognised and rewarded for the hard work and passion that they put into their business, as well as the vital role they play within the country’s economy.

The competition provides entrepreneurs with the chance to win prizes up to the value of R 2 million, which includes cash prizes to the value of R350 000, as well as valuable mentorship support, networking opportunities and associated marketing and national media exposure.

Now in its 27th year, the free-to-enter competition has become South Africa’s pre-eminent entrepreneurial platform, and embraces local entrepreneurship by providing an opportunity to showcase business achievements and elevate the entrepreneur’s profile, as well as their profits.

Christo Botes, spokesperson for the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition, says that the competition serves as a promotional tool to not only create awareness for entrepreneurship in South Africa, but also for local entrepreneurs to generate a credible reputation amongst competitors.

“Smaller business often can’t compete with larger market player’s marketing spend and national advertising campaigns. Not only are such competition platforms cost-effective, but if entrants are successful as finalists or winners, the awareness thereafter can have a significant effect on their business’ brand and bottom line,” says Botes.

An example is the 2014 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® winners of the Judges Prize – Dudu and Leema Mofokeng, joint owners of Legaci Dry Cleaners and Laundry Services – who, through the exposure gained from the competition, have raised the profile of their company and as a result have witnessed an increase in business enquires and requests from prospective franchisees.

The competition is open to entrepreneurs from all industries and for businesses of any sizes. Categories for the competition include: Emerging Entrepreneur, Small Business Entrepreneur, Medium Business Entrepreneur, Innovator of the Year, Job Creator of the Year and overall Entrepreneur of the Year® 2015.

Entrepreneurs interested in entering the competition can download entry forms online at www.eoy.co.za as well as interact with fellow entrepreneurs on the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition social media platforms: Twitter: @EOY_SA and www.facebook.com/EOY.SA. The closing date for the competition is 16 June 2015.

SA’s best entrepreneurs recognised at 2014 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year®

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The winners of the 2014 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition were announced at an awards ceremony held on 3 September in Johannesburg.

Following a stringent judging process, the 14 finalists were narrowed down to five winners. The overall 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year® winner was Adri Kruger, owner of Tzaneen Country Lodge, a country style hotel situated on a 170 hectare working mango farm just outside Tzaneen in the Limpopo Province. Starting with an old and dilapidated farmstead in 2000, Kruger managed to successfully develop what was intended to be a four-bedroomed guest house into a full service 60 bedroom hotel.

According to Christo Botes, spokesperson of the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition, Kruger was awarded the overall title due to the resilience she showed in the current economic climate and her ability to adapt her business model to attract a different market from the ones she typically served – both traits inherent in a true entrepreneur.

The 26 year old competition, widely considered to be the pre-eminent of its kind in South Africa, celebrates excellence in entrepreneurship and aims to honour, benefit and uplift South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their achievements and elevate their profile, as well as their profits.

Other 2014 category winners include:

  1. 2014 Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year®: Johan Eksteen, owner of Agricon (Pty) Ltd, a worldwide supplier of pelletizing machinery and equipment as well as agri–processing factories. www.agricon-pelleting.co.za
  2. 2014 Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year®: Marthie Jansen Van Rensburg, founder of Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre (Pty) Ltd. Based in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. The centre focuses on training unemployed individuals as artisans. www.eastc.co.za
  3. 2014 Job Creator of the Year®: Theresa J Cupido, CEO and owner of ATN Group (Pty) Ltd, which has over a 100 years of combined expertise and skills in the Roadmarking and Civil engineering field. The group employs between 250 and 300 individuals, and has grown its employment rate by 100% in the last year. www.atngroup.co.za
  4. 2014 Innovator of the Year®: Lorimer Gowar, founder of Larrem (Pty) Ltd, is a leading player in South Africa’s Animal Health industry and specialises in the manufacturing of veterinary nutriceuticals, pharmaceuticals, feed additives and supplements, as well as raw material commodity sourcing. www.larrem.co.za

The competition provides prizes worth R1 340 000, which includes a cash prize of R100 000 for the overall winner and R50 000 for each of the other category winners. Each winner will also receive valuable mentorship support, networking opportunities and associated marketing and national media exposure to further drive their business’ success.

An additional award that was handed out this year was the 2014 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® Judges Prize, which was awarded to joint owners of Legaci Dry Cleaners and Laundry Services, Dudu and Leema Mofokeng. With branches based in Pretoria and a head office in Silver Lakes, the company currently has three retail outlets and an industrial plant specialising in high-end dry cleaning services for the hospitality and commercial industries, as well as individual clients.

Botes says that this prize was awarded to Legaci Dry Cleaners and Laundry Services as the business made the biggest impression on the judges. “While the business is not yet at the level of the other entrepreneurs awarded this year, in terms of size and turnover, Dudu and Leema Mofokeng have managed to grow the business organically from nothing when they first established the business in 2008. We have no doubt that this business will continue to grow and succeed.

“The competition is committed to playing a crucial role of creating awareness for local entrepreneurs, the heroes of South Africa’s economy, and in so doing contributing towards elevating the level of entrepreneurial activity in the country. We have seen first-hand how the competition has assisted past winners to grow their businesses and inspire fellow entrepreneurs in the process. We wish all of our 2014 winners continued success and will monitor the evolution of their businesses with keen interest,” concludes Botes.

Free State entrepreneur awarded Small Entrepreneur of the Year® award

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Johan Eksteen, owner of Agricon Pty Ltd – a worldwide supplier of pelletizing machinery and equipment as well as agri–processing factories – was awarded the Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year® title at the annual 2014 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® Competition, held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 3 September 2014.

With over 15 years of experience in the agriculture industry, Eksteen has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise in pelletizing by working in countries such as South Africa, Uganda, Australia, Singapore and New Caledonia. Pelletizing, involving the processing of materials into small dry pellets, is a common practice in industrial procedures. This process is used globally by manufacturers of animal feed or recycling facilities that specialise in processing materials for reuse.

Eksteen identifies that this process can only be successfully accomplished with specialised equipment, namely a pelletizer. “Agricon has successfully been able to supply businesses with a variety of pelleting products such as; tobacco dust, rooibos tea, human sludge waste, organic fertilizers and vermi-compost, but also specialised industry specific pelletizing equipment.”

In addition to the manufacturing of machines and equipment, the company also provides training and on-site installation for clients, as well as support following a sale or the provision of spare parts.

According to Lionel Billings, a member of the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year ® judging panel, Eksteen is a prime example of a true entrepreneur – someone who was able to not give up on his dream. “Through sheer grit and determination, Johan stabilised a struggling business, became a specialist and was able to infiltrate a difficult European market successfully with his unique business offering.”

Eksteen says that being granted the opportunity to have his business assessed by a successful and experienced panel of competition judges, as well as winning this division of the competition, has given added courage and confidence to expand his business even further. “Winning this award proves to me that the journey was worth all the hard work and sacrifices. It also provides my team and I with a new, invigorated feeling of enthusiasm to take Agricon even further.” concludes Eksteen.

For more information on Agricon Pty Ltd, please visit www.agricon-pelleting.co.za

Coffee gurus claim Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year® award

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Andrew-and-Chris-Brown

Andrew and Chris Brown, co-founders of The Daily Buzz, an upmarket and speciality chain of coffee bars which service the corporate workplace, was awarded the 2013 Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year® title in the annual Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® Competition, which was held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 4 September 2013.

The Daily Buzz was established in 2006 by brothers, Andrew and Chris Brown, after Andrew spotted a gap in the market for a superior, and easily accessible, coffee spot while working as a risk professional in Johannesburg. The idea to provide quality coffee in such a way that allowed employees to return to their workstations quickly and efficiently was then born.

As part of the start-up plan, Chris trained at the London School of Coffee, as well as other institutes situated in Italy, the United States and Africa in order to perfect the art of delivering a premium coffee experience.

Over the years The Daily Buzz has successfully secured a niche in the market by providing a trendy and convenient spot for employees in corporate buildings to enjoy quality and competitively-priced speciality coffee and fresh food. Another aspect which sets the business apart from its competitors is its on-going skills development programmes and training which is provided to all staff on a frequent basis to ensure exceptional service and product expertise.

Since opening their first coffee bar in the Standard Bank headquarters in Johannesburg with just two employees in 2006, The Daily Buzz has grown to seven outlets and employs approximately 60 people.

Andrew Brown says that it is a great honour for him, and the business, to be recognised by Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year®. “As entrepreneurs we so often achieve a goal only to replace it with a new goal and neglect to take stock and recognise how far we have come, and how successful our business has become.

“This award is recognition for our business’s success, and provides us with an opportunity to sit back for a brief moment and acknowledge our achievements.”

With five fellow finalists recognised in the small business category, Andrew and Chris were awarded the title as they perfected a simple product, added to it a healthy dose of service, and created a brand which is highly sought after, says Stefan Beyers, a member of the 2013 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® judging panel. “Ultimately what made The Daily Buzz stand out was the combination of a high quality product and a determined focus on customer service and experience.”

Andrew Brown believes that entrepreneurs play a valuable role in the economy by creating sustainable businesses and much needed employment. “Entrepreneurs take risks by converting ideas into a tangible business and by doing so create great value for the economy by providing employment and up-skilling opportunities for employees. At the same time they also create value for customers by providing a new or better service than what existed before an entrepreneur’s business was born,” concludes Brown.

For more information on The Daily Buzz, please visit their website www.thedailybuzz.co.za

Entries drawing to a close for 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year® competition

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With just less than a month until entries close for the 2013 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition, South African entrepreneurs are encouraged to enter in order to be recognised and rewarded for the vital role they play within the country’s economy.

Not only will entrepreneurs stand a chance at winning prizes worth a total value of R1 340 000, which includes cash prizes of R300 000, but all finalists and winners are also provided with the opportunity to expand their networks and receive invaluable exposure for their businesses.

Now in its 25th year, the free-to-enter competition is dedicated to celebrating and profiling the success of entrepreneurs from across South Africa and boosting the level of entrepreneurship in South Africa.

Nimo Naidoo, project manager of the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition, says that entrepreneurs are faced with various challenges and that the competition aims to assist entrepreneurs overcome these.

“Obtaining a credible reputation amongst various other competitors and securing additional capital to grow a business are often two key challenges that business owners encounter on their entrepreneurial journey.

“In challenging economic conditions, competitions offer an affordable marketing platform, and by utilising these platforms, entrepreneurs can grow their business by increasing both their brand reputation and bottom line.

“As an example, Tabisa Nomnganga of Bravo Promotions, winner of the 2012 Emerging Entrepreneur Award, has accredited the competition for increasing her client base, as well as increasing her bottom line profits by over 40% from the previous financial year.”

Naidoo adds that due to the success and exposure that many of the 2012 winners encountered, they are already exceeding the number of entries received during last year’s campaign, with still a few weeks to go until the closing date. “We have already received entries from exceptional entrepreneurs with very promising businesses and look forward to responses from the remainder of the local entrepreneurial community.”

The competition is open to entrepreneurs from all industries and for businesses of any sizes. Categories for the competition include: Emerging Entrepreneur, Small Business Entrepreneur, Medium Business Entrepreneur, Innovator of the Year, Job Creator of the Year and overall Entrepreneur of the Year 2013.

Another showcase of entrepreneurial excellence

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2011 EOY competition entries open

South Africa’s most prestigious entrepreneurial awards are once again open for entries.

The 2011 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® awards recognise and celebrate the innovation, drive and commitment of small and medium enterprise (SME) decision makers – the men and women that feed, clothe and grow our country.

Now in its 22nd year, the awards will also introduce a number of new initiatives to further the SME cause.

This includes an SME Conference in May where industry representatives, civil society and senior government decision makers debate the future of the sector.

In addition, the hugely successful workshop series has been expanded and 11 regional centres will play host to SME experts in the coming months.

The cream of South Africa’s entrepreneurs will be celebrated in September during the Gala awards ceremony.

In addition to the current categories – overall Entrepreneur of the Year, Emerging Entrepreneur (business younger than three years old), Small Business Entrepreneur (turnover up to R20 million) and Medium Business Entrepreneur (turnover greater than R20 million) – the 2011 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® awards will also honour the essence of entrepreneurship through the Innovation Award.

“There were a number of very apt categories to add to this prestigious award but we feel that the concept and talent to innovate is a vital component for entrepreneurs to stay ahead of the pack,” says Entrepreneur of the Year® Manager, Vicky Nish.

Innovators will forever be the leaders as they will always be one step ahead. True innovators apply this characteristic in every part of their business and not just in product development.

Each winner will receive R20 000 in cash and the overall winner walks away with R100 000 and the opportunity to visit a tradeshow anywhere in the world.

Martin Beyers, the 2010 winner and co-owner of CERadvance Engineering Ceramics, says the competition’s value should not be underestimated:

“Entrepreneurs need this kind of recognition much more often than one tends to think… To have such a competent and well-versed adjudicating team look over your shoulders, probe your business plan, look at your balance sheet, question your sustainability and future strategies and to then give you the nod of approval is a source of great satisfaction.

“It was also a great inspiration to continue with renewed effort, since after nearly 20 years in any industry, one can be forgiven for becoming a bit lethargic at times.

“I am a great believer in benchmarking exercises and personal improvement exercises.”

Business Partners Limited Executive Director Christo Botes says the workshops will also add value to the greater SME sector through practical, easy to understand entrepreneurial advice.

“Through the annual international conference, we will furthermore be able to become the Voice of SMEs. This is all exciting stuff and we can indeed say that these initiatives can collectively enhance an inspirational culture of entrepreneurship.”

Jan Steenkamp, the Executive Head, Cobalt Solutions, Sanlam, believes that at least 400 entrepreneurs will step forward to be judged.

He adds that the objective for the competition remains unchanged, namely to celebrate the successful entrepreneur.

At the same time the SME sector will receive more exposure, helping new entrepreneurs to realise their business dreams.

“The SME sector has been one the most important segments for Sanlam over the years and by supporting this initiative, we believe we are giving something back to our business owner clients. In the process we are also demonstrating Sanlam’s commitment to a tailor made, segment based approach to serving our clients.”