Finding a job is a difficult task that leaves many people weary and unwilling to search any further when the opportunity doesn’t come their way.
But taking a skill learned after a retrenchment for instance and turning it into something to make a living off has great benefits.
Brian Dube is a living testimony of the importance of taking a skill from whatever employment when you still have a job and turning it into something more.
This 29-year-old furniture maker had no skill when he first came to South Africa in 2007.
“The first job I got in South Africa was to fix and sell tyres. I left the job because I did not make much money and I tried to hunt for a better paying job,” said Dube.
He said he was only 17 at the time but he never resorted to crime to make ends meet.
He was then informed by an acquaintance that a certain furniture manufacturing company was hiring people and he went there to try his luck.
Unfortunately, Dube wasn’t hired due to his age and the South African law prohibited employment of people under the age of 18. Dube had no other option but to join a construction company as an assistant builder and worked there for a year.
The resilient Dube went back to the same furniture manufacturing company and again tried his luck.
With no skill and no qualification, Dube was lucky to be hired as a cleaner at the same company that denied him employment a year before.
“I worked there as a cleaner for over a year. As cleaners, we were not allowed to touch any tools in the workshop. I would watch carpenters work. During my lunch time, I would take the tools and practise using them.
“Some of the employees saw my interest and the potential I had in doing what they do. They gave me an opportunity to try my hand in carpentry and upholstery,” Dube reminisced.
He said he assisted the professionals for four months before he got caught by the boss of the company.
“The boss was upset by seeing me using the tools without his permission. A supervisor in the workshop saved me from losing my job by convincing the boss to give me a chance as I showed dedication to learning the trade,” Dube explained.
He said he then got promoted from being a cleaner to an upholstery worker, not doing carpentry.
“I worked in that position for one and a half years before 15 of us were retrenched.
“Instead of looking for another job I sat down with a former colleague and we decided to start our own business and that is how JustEasy Furniture was born.”
Dube and his partner, Anele Maduna, have been running the business ever since.
Asked what challenges they faced at the beginning of the entrepreneurship journey, Dube said they started the business with no proper equipment and as a result, they would get some return jobs.
“It was also difficult to get customers because we lacked a marketing strategy. Now we have professional equipment and we are perfect at what we do. We get a lot of work through referrals from our happy customers.
“We are doing a competitive job manufacturing the kind of furniture you can get in famous furniture stores,” said Dube.
Dube said they are currently working in a garage but in the future, they would like to have a big show room where they can display their work.
“We would like to thank Tembisa residents for giving us their full support. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their support.
“In giving back to the Tembisa community we want to teach people who are interested in upholstery and carpentery so that they can help us in our workshop.
“To unemployed people I want to say opportunities are waiting for you out there but all you need is to learn a skill and you can earn a living,” said Dube.
He said if unemployed people have a different skill set like marketing they can offer their services by marketing JustEasy Furniture and earn a commission.
Dube said they will ensure that they give you the furniture of your dreams at unbelievably low prices.
Whatsapp the picture of your dream furniture to 078 101 0842 or 074 539 0995.
See more of their work on their Facebook page: Justeasy furniture manufacturer
