Tsakani’s 11-year-old entrepreneur Mvelo Valashiya grows snack business while chasing pilot dream
Inspired by his mother's entrepreneurial journey, 11-year-old Mvelo Valashiya has built a thriving snack business while dreaming of one day becoming both a pilot and a successful businessman.
Tsakani – Driven by a passion for business and inspired by his mother’s entrepreneurial journey, Mvelo Valashiya (11) has turned a simple snack stall into a growing venture that is earning him loyal customers in Tsakani.
He is a focused young man who owns a small snack shop catering to his peers’ needs. Valashiya started his business at a young age and has since incorporated new, innovative ideas into it.
“I started my business with the passion of making money, buying certain things for myself and advancing my thinking as an individual.
“When my mom started her own nail business, I knew I wanted the same for myself. And pressured her towards helping me start my own snack and sweet business,” he explained.
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“Bit by bit, she bought me stock, and with the profit, I incorporated more things.”
After school, Valashiya’s mother or grandmother brings his stock to the school gate, where Valashiya sells his goods to his peers.
“I have received overwhelming support from my friends, family and my mother’s clients.
“I am never shy to sell my things in public because my vision is to own a big business that provides my services in different provinces,” he added.
Apart from being an entrepreneur and a businessman, Valashiya aspires to become a pilot. He wants to parallel run his business as well as his business.
“I would love to also incorporate selling The African Reporter on Friday mornings. My biggest dream is to create jobs for many other people within my community,” he mentioned.
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Valashiya emphasised that he learnt about unemployment at school and came to realise that he needs to help where he can to end that.
Apart from that, Valashiya also shows up at sporting and entrepreneurial events to sell his products and serve as evidence that anyone can start a business.
“Anyone can start a business; age is not a limit. I urge everyone with a desire to start a business to do it, start now,” he advised.
He highlighted that his business has been doing well and growing as efficiently as possible.
