From stand-up to start-up: How top entrepreneur’s comedic insights shaped his business
Business Partners Limited
August 20, 2021
Long before the concept social media influencer became ubiquitous, a
Long before the concept social media influencer became ubiquitous, a
Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent spate
Wynand Geldenhuys was still at school when he sold his
Almost every aspiring entrepreneur gets their chance to weigh up
As ad agency CEO, Taryn Hunter Sharman knew how to
Maintaining a constant stream of cashflow is a common challenge
It is hard to imagine a more difficult time start
Any business owner worth his salt can acknowledge the fact
Malesela “Ouma” Tema’s Plus Fab fashion brand started long before
With the start of the 2021 commercial year coinciding with
Most people who manage to escape the grinding poverty of
Due to COVID-19, consumer behaviour has changed drastically and instead
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the South African business landscape
In the world of corporate consulting, dominated by a handful
Business owners are forever seeking new opportunities to expand their
Theo Baloyi, last year’s Emerging Business Entrepreneur of the Year
It is becoming increasingly difficult for many business owners to
Most entrepreneurs who use corporate careers as a springboard wait
While many sectors have found reprieve in the easing of
While the world economy languished in the doldrums of the
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly changed our world and the
It was inevitable that Cikizwa Nqolobe would one day run
It was inevitable that Cikizwa Nqolobe would one day run
24 June 2020: The BUSINESS/PARTNERS Entrepreneur of the Year® competition
Online retail rockets local fashion brand’s sales Current figures show
‘Going viral’ has been a trending buzzword for a few
For businesses in the retail industry, lighting plays a critical
Accounting, the age-old practice of recording, classifying, and reporting on
Indima HR Consulting was started in 2007 in a bedroom,
The story of SA’s award winning black winemaker A local
How 3 women started a business from scratch that’s set
Accurately tracking your return on investment (ROI) on an often
2020 BUSINESS/PARTNERS Entrepreneur of the Year® competition is now open
Source: Business Partners Limited While recent statistics regarding South Africa’s
Source: Business Partners Limited As with any business enterprise, competition
Source: Business Partners Limited With 2020 around the corner, it’s
South Africa’s premier annual entrepreneurial platform, The Entrepreneur of the
Due to his impressive feat of driving digital transformation among
27-year-old B Com graduate, Uzair Essack has been named Medium
Johannesburg: 04 September 2019: Through sheer grit and resilience, Carmen
Armed with a bold vision and a proudly South African
Following a gruelling judging process and assessment of 15 inspiring
As an entrepreneur you are often expected to fulfil many
The occasional description of the business world as a jungle
Work on your business and not in it How continuous
By Gugu Mjadu Spokesperson for the 2019 Entrepreneur of the
Plans to consider legislative changes by the Small Business Development
Mining engineer, Samuel and Motlapele Molefi – founders and owners
Local advertising gurus, Pepe Marais and Gareth Leck of Joe
Beverley Gumbi, the founder and owner of Isivuno Container Business
Muhammad Simjee and Sofiah Docrat, the husband and wife team
South Africa’s premier annual entrepreneurial platform, Entrepreneur of the Year®
Father and son team, Kerry and Craig Motherwell, have received
Louw Barnardt of Outsourced CFO named Emerging Business Entrepreneur of
For her dedication in putting skilled moms back into the
The Lifetime Achiever Award is the highest accolade in the
The Lifetime Ambassador Award is bestowed on an individual who
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market The pipeline of
When businesses start up, they are often small, tightly-knit groups
“Entrepreneurship isn’t the finish line – it’s a journey of
Celebrating three full decades of discovering and cultivating the best
Celebrating three full decades of discovering and cultivating the best
Research compiled by the University of Applied Sciences in Germany
By Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market It is said
A successful entrepreneurial journey begins with a gap in the
Entrepreneurial lessons from generations of entrepreneurs Picturing a typical entrepreneur
By Byron Jeacocks Regional General Manager, BUSINESS/PARTNERS Nothing is as
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market It is said
2018 marks our 30th year in honouring entrepreneurs and the
By Gugu Mjadu Spokesperson for the 2018 Entrepreneur of the
By Ben Bierman Managing Director at Business Partners Limited Zig
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market It is my
2018 marks our 30th year in honouring entrepreneurs and the
The recently released 2017-18 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for
By Ben Bierman Managing Director at Business Partners Limited The
Kaizen, a Japanese word and philosophy meaning “change for better”,
2018 marks our 30th year in honouring entrepreneurs and the
Amid the current political optimism, entrepreneurs should be especially inspired
Amid the current political optimism, entrepreneurs should be especially inspired
Amid the current political optimism, entrepreneurs should be especially inspired
Amid the current political optimism, entrepreneurs should be especially inspired
By Ben Bierman Managing Director at Business Partners Limited The
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market To improve the
2018 marks our 30th year in honouring entrepreneurs and the
The 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year® winners share their advice
Cash flow management key to steering a clear course of
By Veroshen Naidoo Area manager at BUSINESS/PARTNERS Financial management naturally
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market When a prospective
Not only do entrepreneurial awards offer winning businesses a cash
By Gugu Mjadu Spokesperson for the 2017 Entrepreneur of the
Following a gruelling judging process and assessment of 15 successful
Creating, growing and innovating a business to such a degree
Having found a way to provide numerous employment opportunities to
Driven by his passion to find solutions to the growing
Nomfundo Mcoyi, ex-educator and now managing director of KwaZulu-Natal-based business
Itumeleng (Tumi) Phake, founder and owner of Zenzele Fitness Group
Entrepreneurial duoSizwe Nzima and Siraaj Adams, owners of Iyeza Health,
Business owners are lucky that they create their own work
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market You have surely
The Western Cape has over the recent past been hard
The entrepreneurial gender gap is slowly closing in many countries,
When Pepe Marais and Gareth Leck founded Joe Public in
100% black female owned company – Mighty Comms – is
Mpodumo Doubada – founding CEO of Pimp my Book, a
After having worked as an Investment Analyst for large institutions
Sports enthusiast and successful entrepreneur, Jacques Grobbelaar, has certainly made
Incessantly frustrated by the limited range of fashion available to
Located in Pietermaritzburg, iLawu Hospitality Group was founded in August
After leaving a successful job and steady career path while
Dirk Coetzee and Associates was born out of the growing
Matleng Energy Solutions (Matleng), an energy solutions business, was founded
The roots of Iyeza Health date back to 2013, when
Africa Biomass Company (ABC) was established by Willem van der
The Icebolethu Group is today a prominent financial services conglomerate
Nowadays, brands spend so much money on marketing and advertising
Fitness and wellness in South Africa has traditionally been quite
The entrepreneurial gender gap is slowly closing in many countries,
Navigating saving methods for your business and personal finances By
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market Come to think
Now in its 29th year, the Entrepreneur of the Year®
A great many excellent business ideas never get past the
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market The quest for
The 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® winners discuss the advice
Being a serial entrepreneur requires dedication and perseverance, as well
By Christo Botes Spokesperson for the 2017 Entrepreneur of the
Entrepreneurs can become so immersed in their businesses that they
Entrepreneurs can become so immersed in their businesses that they
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market The needs of
Financial management naturally tends to slip down the list of
The instrumental value that entrepreneurs add to the South African
As South Africa gears up for the 2017 National Budget
Many businesses make a point of giving, from sponsoring sports
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market In a commoditised
There is more to entrepreneurship than the “mere creation of
As South Africa gears up for the 2017 National Budget
While the unemployment rate for the fourth quarter of 2016
Despite the high demand placed on tertiary education in South
Building your own business is not a sprint, but a
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market In business the
By Christo Botes Spokesperson for the 2017 Entrepreneur of the
2016 was a tough year for many South Africans –
As 2016 nears an end many begin to re-evaluate the
The life of an entrepreneur is different from that of
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market What was first
The South African education sector has been thrust into the
The 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year® winners share the best
South Africa’s premier annual entrepreneurial competition, Entrepreneur of the Year®
Michael Roberts, owner of Khonology, has been named the 2016
Carl Pretorius, founder of the Paarl-based business – Just Trees
Vanessa Jacobs, the innovative business woman behind Sow Delicious®, whose
Due to their fresh approach to education, combined with their
South Africa’s premier annual entrepreneurial platform, Entrepreneur of the Year®
Meisie Nkosi, owner of the 100% black woman-owned Bella Bonni
Entrepreneurship has run through Mojalefa Mpele’s veins from a young
For a spectator of a game of football, the half-time
By Harry Welby-Cooke From Action Coach for Sanlam Business Market
Following a fiercely competitive preliminary round of the 2016 Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurial intentions among South Africans has dropped by almost 30%
A great many excellent business ideas never get past the
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market When I looked
With a family history of entrepreneurship running through his veins,
The 2015/2016 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for South Africa
“South Africa should be tackling the rising unemployment rate by
When things go wrong in commercial property investment they can
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market www.businessdirectory.co.za defines a
A successful entrepreneurial journey starts with a determined vision, a
The South African economy had a bumpy start to 2016,
Five reasons entrepreneurs should enter business competitions Entrepreneurs running small
50 is the new 21 age for entrepreneurs There is
The urge to convert and scale up a small business
By Jeremy Lang Regional general manager of BUSINESS/PARTNERS In a
By Jannie Rossouw Head: Sanlam Business Market Many business owners
For most entrepreneurs, the journey of entrepreneurship starts at the
We discuss when it is the right time to do
We are excited to announce the launch of the 2016
The contribution of local entrepreneurs to the South African economy
Many business owners mistakenly think their operation is too small
If you are working on something exciting that you really
By Kobus Engelbrecht, spokesperson for the 2016 Entrepreneur of the
Just as the South African finance minister needs to ensure
Are we, as a society, showing enough appreciation to our
While the country and the world may be facing economic
Finding the silver lining in the dark economic cloud By
Setting the right New Year’s resolutions will not only give
There is something to be said for making the time
The number of unused gym contracts and abandoned diets by
As business owners we are often so busy working in
Culture can make or break a company. It is incredibly
Wearing pink and playing with dolls is often associated with
“If all business owners in South Africa commit to mentoring
In a sense, almost all owner-managed businesses are family businesses.
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market The
Many find it challenging to balance both a career and
At this year’s breakfast awards, hosted on 2 September 2015
Category winners Emerging Business Entrepreneur of the Year®: Kim Whitaker,
The Creative Council recognised as Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur
Lewis Thomas, owner and founder of Partners Hair Design, has
Nadir Khamissa, owner and founder of Hello Group, a provider
South Africa’s premier annual entrepreneurial competition, Sanlam / Business Partners
Kim Whitaker, co-founder and co-owner of Once in Cape Town,
Ncamisile Maphumulo, owner of Coastal Nephrology Centre, a kidney dialysis
Bryan Anderson, co-owner of Delta Steam Systems and the creator
July marks Savings Month, an initiative launched by the South
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market In
Generating demand for your product requires much more than simply
Passion – the feeling that lights a fire inside of
The latest South Africa Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2014 revealed
“The surest way for an executive to kill himself is
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market “Exceed
Tamsyn Ferreira, 2015 Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® entrant
Christo Botes, spokesperson of the 2015 Sanlam / Business Partners
Final countdown to enter the 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year
Freedom represents the liberty to follow the path one chooses,
Technological advancements have changed the way in which the South
“The surest way for an executive to kill himself is
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market “Without
It is no mystery that the entertainment industry is a
Starting a business is a daunting task, and growing the
Entrepreneurs often take on many roles within their own business
1. Drop some unprofitable products or services Drop some unprofitable
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market It
The saying – ‘If at first you don’t succeed –
This coming Saturday, 8 March, marks International Women’s Day 2015,
Unemployment remains the country’s greatest economic and social challenge Finance
Many business owners don’t grow up dreaming of becoming an
Now in its 27th year, the Sanlam / Business Partners
2015 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition
2015 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition
2015 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition
South Africa’s premier entrepreneurial showcase going strong since 1988 Entrepreneurial
A new year brings with it new opportunities and 2015
South Africa’s premier annual entrepreneurial competition, Sanlam / Business Partners
Marthie Jansen van Rensburg, founder of Gauteng-based Ekurhuleni Artisans and
Dudu and Leema Mofokeng, joint owners of Legaci Dry Cleaners
Theresa Cupido, CEO and owner of Roadmarking and Civil Engineering
Having noticed a gap in the local market to offer
The winners of the 2014 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur
Johan Eksteen, owner of Agricon Pty Ltd – a worldwide
After carefully sifting through a record amount of entries, the
South Africa vs. Sub-Saharan Africa entrepreneurs There has been much
Organisations that approach things with order, common sense, consistency and
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market A
For Justin Sam, Sanlam/ Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year®
There has been much talk around the rise of the
Most parents believe their child is a prodigy, but in
Here is some good news for business owners who are
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market In
Futuristic as it may seem, 3D printing has the potential
The business support landscape in South Africa for young entrepreneurs
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market A
Grant Greeff is giving the hospitality industry a well-needed shake-up,
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower” – Steve
One of the major reasons why entrepreneurs decide to start
Article written by Jannie Rossouw, Head: Sanlam Business Market There
Entrepreneur finds business success in promoting others Gerald Ndlovu saw
But SA hesitant to take the leap South Africa’s economy
When you build your home you employ various specialists to
Marketing tips that may be implemented immediately: Evaluate the success
Our 2013 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year®
As your fledgling business starts to grow, it’s critical that
In light of the recent launch of the 2014 Sanlam
We all know we should check our cars before travelling.
Fostering the culture of entrepreneurship in SA since 1988 The
Like retirement savings and disability cover, medical cover is a
Tommy Makhatho on winning the 2013 Sanlam/ Business Partners Entrepreneur
The month of December is generally filled with a sense
While the thought of starting one’s own business may be
With 51% of surveyed pensioners not making ends meet and
In light of October being Transport Month we chat to
Entrepreneurs are often exposed to duties, situations, problems and opportunities
Interviews with the 2013 finalists aired during the 20113 Breakfast
Following an intense judging process and assessment of the 14
2013 winner of premier entrepreneurial competition announced After navigating a
Anton Rossouw, founder and owner of Life Path Health –
Andrew and Chris Brown, co-founders of The Daily Buzz, an
Founder of construction business Silverline Group, Jonathan Pepler, has been
Due to their passion to focus on disease prevention rather
Margaret Hirsch, Chief Operations Officer of national appliance store, Hirsch’s,
Following an intense judging process and assessment of the 14
Business budgeting, just like personal budgeting, is imperative for financial
It is no secret that women business owners are more
Quality of 2013 entrants praised by judges After a gruelling
As a business owner, your main concern is working hard
2013 competition entrant, Nickey Mannya, Managing Director of Rural Brands,
Most businesses, at some stage or another, are likely to
In the current economic climate entrepreneurs are required to keep
Looking beyond guaranteed return products for inflation-beating returns As a
Divesh Ramdhass, owner of Pharmacy at Spar Northway and 2013
At one time or another, every business goes through a
It was recently revealed by a UN agency report that
It is no secret that South Africa suffers from an
With just less than a month until entries close for
2013 competition entrant, Richard Qonto, shares some information with us
In order to celebrate entrepreneurial excellence, Sanlam / Business Partners
“Set goals and never give up.” This is what Duncan
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are widely considered a major
By Clive Hill (Legal Adviser: Sanlam Trust) As a business
During an economic recession small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often
Globally known for its serene natural beauty and cultural diversity,
Budding entrepreneurs from around the Nelson Mandela Bay last week
Due to the growing pressures of climate change on a
2013 competition entrant, Magriet Smit, shares some information with us
Any business operation is vulnerable when faced by unplanned crises.
Government has not yet been able to help solve the
This month we chat to Justin Hawes of Scan Display,
In the current challenging economic environment, SME owners and entrepreneurs
In the current challenging economic environment, SME owners and entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurial leader, Mark Lamberti, recently called for the creation of
The 2013 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year®
25 years on and still committed to fostering entrepreneurship in
Can entrepreneurship help solve the unemployment crisis in SA? What
An entrepreneur is not a risk free B-BBEE shareholder, a
Feed on the positive SME entrepreneurs! The Sanlam / Business
Seasonal entrepreneurs rely on the cyclical nature of their business
Why does seasonality affect your business? Seasonality in your business
With the festive season looming, entrepreneurs often get caught up
We chatted to the 2012 EOY winners about the various
What documents do financiers require when considering my application for
It is essential that South African entrepreneurs and small business
After months of searching and assessing, the 2012 Sanlam /
After months of searching and assessing, the 2012 Sanlam /
South Africa’s top entrepreneur of 2012 revealed In a field
Western Cape promotions company owner awarded Emerging Business Entrepreneur of
Green businessman claims small business entrepreneur of the year® award
Western Cape plumbing business owner awarded Medium Business Entrepreneur of
Western Cape animation studio owner awarded Innovator of the Year
Eastern Cape female farmer named as Job Creator of the
South Africa’s entrepreneurial activity, over the past eight years, has
The failure rate of start-ups is exceptionally high – why
Female entrepreneurial activity has been proven to be a major
The 22 finalists of South Africa’s premier entrepreneurial platform, the
Why are many businesses’ cash flow issues aggravated as a
This month we are chatting to entrepreneur Jackie Lowe, who
Entries into the 2012 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of
Youth unemployment in South Africa has reached boiling point and
Youth Month is celebrated annually throughout the month of June.
How can entrepreneurs effectively manage and plan their cash flow
Entrepreneurs in South Africa often struggle to generate a credible
The topic for our Pretoria workshop was the latest economic
Being an entrepreneur in South Africa is no easy task.
During start up, a company tends to be very sales
As South Africa’s economy is susceptible to global trends, it
Interview with Christo Botes – Executive Director: Business Partners Limited
It is a business arrangement between a franchisor (the owner
Aspiring South African entrepreneurs need to take note of the
The South African market presents tough economic conditions for entrepreneurs.
A vital life saver to SMEs this time of year
Aspiring South African entrepreneurs need to take note of the
The topic of conversation at this years launch was “How
Interview with Elian Wiener, MD of Epic Communications and winner
The 2012 budget and its impact on South African entrepreneurs:
South African women make up approximately half of the country’s
The 2012 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year®
The topic of conversation at this years launch was “How
The topic of conversation at this years launch was “How
Although Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has given further tax relief
Stimulating entrepreneurship is the key to igniting economic growth and
In an effort to boost the level of entrepreneurship in
The Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards is about celebrating entrepreneurs
Lewis Thomas, Partners Hair Design, 2010 and 2011 Finalist For
Winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year® award 2011 From
Malani Padayachee, MPA Consulting, 2011 finalist Juggling three kids and
Winner of the Job Creator of the Year award 2011
Winner of the 2011 Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year® and
Tshidiso Lennin Marule, director of Marule Property Developement Holdings, describes
Winner of the 2011 Medium Entrepreneur of the Year® award
Mark Vella, MASSAGE ON THE BEACH, 2011 finalist A simple
Making it in the tourism industry New tourism statistics paint
2011 EOY competition entries open South Africa’s most prestigious entrepreneurial
Family businesses weather recession Family owned businesses are made of
We would like to congratulate those heroes of 2010 who
“Entrepreneurs need to take their rightful place as role models
Martin Beyers is no Richard Branson; he does not instantly
Challenge becomes opportunity Martin Brown has a competitive advantage that
Snack manufacturer master of reinvention The saying adversity breeds opportunity
Pharmacist pursues entrepreneurial freedom Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and
EOY winner the embodiment of real entrepreneurship Martin Beyers is
How to close deals and deal with conflict In any
The Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® competition was officially
New Entrepreneur of the Year competition launches It is easy
Long before the concept social media influencer became ubiquitous, a
Events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent spate
Wynand Geldenhuys was still at school when he sold his
