30 Aug 2017

For Mr Ananea Isaac, 33, trading in maintenance and manufacturing did not come as a coincidence as his father used to do the same.

Although he only did Standard Seven at Bontleng Primary School, he juggled school work and learning the trade from his father for two years.

“My father had a company that did kitchen fittings, furniture manufacturing and upholstery. So he taught me for two years. Everyday after school, I did carpentry,” he narrated.

On the other hand, Mr Isaac said he acquired most of his skill from a man who owned a maintenance company.

His company did the first and second coatings and paintings of houses.

The Ramokgwebana-born said they had a lot of customers and that he was a labourer thereby acquiring knowledge in the process.

“My job entailed cleaning brushes and with time I learnt how to do coating and gradually learnt more hence elevating my skills,” he says.

Even though his mentor passed on, Mr Isaac recalls how they used to beam with happiness when inspectors could not fault their work.

So after the man passed on, his customers called nonstop needing his services.

That gave birth to his company as he could not leave their loyal customers with nowhere to go.

In 2012, Boswa Wood Workers was registered.

Boswa Wood Workers offers services that include manufacture and repair of furniture, upholstery manufacturing and repairing, maintenance, painting, roofing, ceiling, tile, kitchen and wardrobe fittings.

Although he learnt art by chance, he has since put that skill to good use as he draws and sells portraits to people.

The cheapest painting is P150.
“I also do murals on pre-school walls and charge P2 500,” he said.

Mr Isaac said portraits make money more, especially if the customer was knowledgeable on art.

He highlighted that exposure was essential in business hence he was in the process of doing a company profile.

The energetic trader explained that his business has enabled him to buy a car, get married and support his parents

Like any other business, Mr Isaac said he encountered challenges such as lack of materials and tools when starting the business.

Nonetheless, he did not despair as he applied for funding from YDF and was funded in 2015.

The funding enabled the business to flourish which led to branches in

Mogoditshane and Tlokweng, and he will be opening another one in Molepolole soon and has five employees.

He advised other aspiring entrepreneurs that business needed perseverance because there was no assurance whether one would make sales every month to cover expenses.

In addition, he warned them to be careful about workers who were not dedicated.

He said some workers do not do the work assigned. Mr Isaac also shedded light on financial management.

He warned aspiring entrepreneurs against spending on luxury instead of buying the essentials for the business.

“I have not accomplished my vision for the business yet but I will, my business will be known countrywide,” he concluded. ENDS