Introducing Absa Small Business Friday – a new initiative designed to help your business grow. Friday will soon be more than just a day – it will be an opportunity to reward, acknowledge, support and grow businesses like yours, while also boosting our economy in the long term.
This Absa Small Business Friday, we have the privilege of chatting to South Africa’s very own – Safari Tyres. In this article read all about the challenges and business advice from Safari Tyres owner.
When did you start your business?
I started my business in 2016
What led you to pursue entrepreneurship?
I wanted to be self-employed. I tried other businesses before, and they didn’t work so I ventured into the tyre business.
What are the challenges you experience when you were starting your business and how did you overcome them?
Starting a business is very challenging. My biggest challenge came in the form of financial capital but that is something most small businesses deal with at the beginning. We keep moving forward and growing despite the challenges.
What impact did the Covid-19 pandemic have on your business?
Covid-19 affected my business to a point where we almost shut down but fought very hard to keep the business alive and we are slowly recovering.
Your business is one of the businesses that are part of the ABSA SME programme, What does this mean to you and how do such initiatives from corporates like Absa help SMEs?
I’m very excited to be part of this initiative and I would be very delighted if ABSA can also offer us financial assistance so that we can buy things such as product machines.
What is your advice for SMEs?
I would like to encourage more young people to venture into entrepreneurship knowing that there will be plenty of challenges which will test their patience and they must never give up.
