06 Feb 2019

A good rapport with clientele is one of the key tenets for business success.

 Molepolole small entrepreneur, Mr Boikobo Baebae, said in interview recently that while studying for a Degree in Industrial Design at Limkokwing University, he worked with Sitang Furniture Design for three months on attachment.

He said he also benchmarked to kick-start business after finishing his studies. In 2013, he ventured into upholstery where he provided services such as refurbishing vehicle seats, couch, chairs and all kinds of furniture with canvas.

Mr Baebae said he visited several government offices in Molepolole in a quest to advertise his company. 

He highlighted that he was lucky as Kweneng District Council and Molepolole College of Education who engaged him to refurbish vehicle seats and students’ chairs respectively.He said a good working relationship with his main clients, Kweneng District Council, led to repeat business as they kept calling him to provide maintenance for their furniture.

‘‘Government spends a lot of money on expensive furniture for different offices, it is important for us upholsters to help by renewing the furniture at affordable prices rather than government spending more money on new furniture,’’ he added.

Mr Baebae said his business was growing, albeit at a snail’s pace, because competition was high.

He noted that when he started, there were few people doing upholstery, but more had come in. He revealed that he started with a traditional sewing machine, which he used for sewing clothing and other light garments.

‘‘I had to modify the sewing machine that is used on clothing so that I could be able to use it on harder material like canvas,’’ said Mr Baebae.  He said with time, he was able to purchase the right machine and now employed two youth.

He cited as challenges situations where customers took long to pay and some did not take their items.

Mr Baebae advised young people to pursue vocational education and training, adding that the job market was already saturated making it hard to get a job after graduating. 

He highlighted that when armed with vocational training, one could start his/her business.

He said patience and perseverance had been key aspects of his business growth.

Mr Baebae said he tried his luck with the youth development fund in 2018, but his proposal was not successful, adding however, that he did not lose hope.

He said he will soon approach other sponsors because his dream was to open a big workshop. ENDS