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Fruitful exchange for business owners at the Small Business Runway Expo in Midrand

MIDRAND – Newly launched expo for small businesses, Small Business Runway Expo goes to Gallagher Estate.


The grass looks greener for local small businesses now that they’ve have had an opportunity to network with other businesses.

The Small Business Runway Expo launched its first-ever event on 13 February at Gallagher Estate to help small businesses become successful.

Attendee Basetsana Jokozela after a session of motivation and advice by experienced entrepreneurs. Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo

The event was supported by stakeholders such as the National Youth Development Agency and the Department of Trade and Industry, along with established companies, experienced entrepreneurs and speakers to offer their support to small business owners.

Palesa Siko, Tilly Legodi and Gomolemo Legodi are at Gallagher Estate for the newly launched Small Business Runway Expo.Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo

Gcina Madonsela, founder of the expo and business builder said she wanted to be able to help small businesses market their products and services to pre-qualified trade consumers. “We are very excited to be bringing the Small Business Runway Expo to Gallagher Estate in Midrand for the very first time,” she said.

Constance Kubheka of Fit Muntuza is with Lehlohonolo Khumalo, Palesa Matlaupane and Tshamaano Mphaphuli at Gallagher Estate for the Small Business Runway Expo.Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo

“The platform is really just to get all entrepreneurs in a room, get all the corporates and all the Enterprise Supplier Development departments that say they invest in entrepreneurs to actually come through and see what entrepreneurs are doing, and see who they are, with the hope of a fruitful business exchange.”

Madonsela added that though they hosted their first show in Johannesburg, their vision was to move from province to province to reach entrepreneurs in different communities and people who were on the ground in a bid to uplift small businesses in South Africa.

Thembani Mazibuko at the Small Business Runway Expo held at Gallagher Estate, Midrand. Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo

Actress and entrepreneur Andrea Dondolo who was a delegate at the event said she attended because she had just launched a product but also because it was a great platform for entrepreneurs, to grow and learn about funding and different aspects of growing ones business as well as ones brand. “I feel that it is important for such events to happen because it is a platform to also network,” she said. “Today the contacts that I made and the speakers I met, I learned so much and polished my skills. As they say, iron sharpens iron, I came to sharpen the iron I am.”

Andrea Dondolo, actress and life coach attends the Small Business Runway Expo. Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo

Author and speaker Nicky Verd who also spoke at the event said, “My message was about entrepreneurs taking technology, embracing it and running their business on it because the era of brick and mortar businesses is completely over. Therefore, I am encouraging and empowering people to take their businesses online and embrace digitalisation.

Papa and Hetty Boachie-Yiadom, founders of the P&H Boutique for Modern Tradition attire, support the launch of the Small Business Runway Expo. Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo

“If one does not go online, businesses that are putting their business online will actually run ahead of them. And I hope I have made an impact and that more entrepreneurs will put their business online so people can see what their business and services are.”

Jenna Badane and Mathapelo Lesesa visit the first-ever Small Business Runway Expo at Gallagher Estate. Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo
Speaker and author of Disrupt yourself or be disrupted, Nicky Verdis is at the expo to speak about taking businesses online.Photo: Ofentse Ditlopo

Details: For more info about the event

and business support, contact

info@businessrunway.co.za

ALSO READ: How you can save water as a small business owner

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