04 Jul 2017

A Thamaga entrepreneur has defied the odds by proving that failure does not determine one’s future by pursuing her passion for cooking as a business.

Ms Agnes Kgotlaetsile, 34, the managing director of Kuruss Investments serves food in front of the Moshupa Sub-district Council in a mobile kitchen.

She serves a variety of dishes such as fresh chips, fat cakes, drinks and diphaphatha.

She said she did not undertake any cooking lessons but was only driven by her passion and determination to fend for herself and her family. 

Narrating her story, Ms Kgotlaetsile said her passion for cooking started at a young age, but that she never realised it until being employed as a cook at Shoprite Supermarket where she gained experience.

Her passion came to reality in 2009 when she opened a fast food tuck shop in Thamaga.

She encounted challenges such as lack of transport and unfavourable weather conditions since she used fire to cook.

“I transported my utensils to the business with a wheelbarrow and sometime hired cars, especially during football games which was costly for me. During rain and harsh weather conditions I did not open at all because the fire place was filled with water,” she explained.

She said the challenges she encountered gave her the idea of owning a mobile kitchen so that she could be able to reach out to her customers and increase her business scope.

Ms Kgotlaetsile applied for funding through Youth Development Fund (YDF) in 2011.

She said it was not an easy journey to secure the money, but that she maintained her focus on what she needed.

“I was so determined to achieve my goal that I turned my challenges into motivation to achieving my dream. I refused to lose to them, but rather rise above them,” the self-made entrepreneur explained.

She was funded by the YDF to the sum of P100 000 which enabled her to buy a trailer and other equipment to complete her business. 

Her kitchen caters for a variety of customers such as government employees and Moshupa residents as well as football followers and choirs.

Moreover it gives her flexibility of operational times.

“I love my business because it does not limit me. My mobile kitchen allows me to reach out to different business places, especially choirs and football grounds.

 “I am willing to sell at any time of the day and during the night or just whenever the need for my service arises while the food is in the right temperature for consumption,” she said.

The mother of three said the taste of her food, self-determination and passion for her business was her recipe for success, adding that that alone gave her reason to wake up in the morning.

She also emphasised on customer service and satisfaction, adding that customers were important stakeholders in any business.

Furthermore, Ms Kgotlaetsile said record keeping was vital since it showed business analysis.

 “From the books one can realise that they were either making a loss or profit and then correct the mistake to keep the business going,” she clarified.

Ms Kgotlaetsile said she also increased her sales through marketing her business in social media as well as advertising it through word of mouth and the use of business cards.

The rising entrepreneur pointed out that she was still faced with challenges such as failure to pay by some of her credit costumers which she said reduced her profit margin.

She also pointed out the shortage of water and unskilled labour as challenges.

With one employee so far, she envisions expanding her business by buying a much bigger mobile kitchen in order to create employment for more youth.

Ms Kgotlaetsile said she was grateful for government assistance and the opportunity, as she has managed to buy a residential plot and a  vehicle which operates as a taxi.

She explained that with her business her life was improving.

She encouraged other youth in business not to despair when times were hard, adding that they should not expect big profits when they start but that they should concentrate on growth. 

Ms Kgotlaetsile also urged the youth not to look down upon themselves but to stand up and take advantage of the help government was offering. 

“A business dream should come from the bottom of your heart as this will push you to work hard notwithstanding the odds you meet,” she said. ENDS