LEA Client Makes A Mark In Camping Equipment Manufacturing
Ludo Kwapa | Monday February 25, 2019 18:00
Narrating his journey, Giye told Monitor Business that it was in 2011 when he decided to leave his employer and start his own business. By then he had no material and was operating alone.
“The whole inspiration behind being an entrepreneur was influenced by clients from where I was employed after being impressed by the quality of my products. They always asked me why can’t I open my own business because I was good at what I was doing,” he said.
Real Gumtree started operating in November 2011. Located in Mmopane, they make camping equipment that include tents, chairs and other materials according to their client’s needs. Currently, the business has a staff complement of 10 of which four have qualifications.
“ I am currently operating from my aunt’s land and pay rent, but I recently bought two plots in Gamodubu and Gakuto where I plan to open workshops even though they are not as big as I had wanted,” said Giye.
However, the determined employer said his main aim is to setup a big workshop that will have different departments ranging from repairs, manufacturing, welding and hiring in an endeavour to create employment for the youth and be able to provide his services through out the country and possibly worldwide.
According to Giye, most of their competitors specialise in making bow tents, which gives him an edge over them. He further said that he makes tents according to the orders they get from their clients either small big or stylish.“I strive to be unique at everything I make and produce so that I stand out hence the creation of strong tents that give clients a sense of safety during their camping without worrying that it might fly off or tear while in the bush,” he said.
However, he showed gratitude to his former employers for giving him an opportunity to unearth his talent adding that passion and discipline has also contributed to his success. The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) has also played a major role in the development of his business, as they took him as their client in 2015. They gave him coaching and monitoring, entrepreneur development training, sales and marketing training, business plan development, business advisory services and business coaching and on-site mentoring.
“ I appreciate the assistance LEA gave me as it contributed to the growth of my business from where it was 2015 to where it is now,” he said.