Ilembe’s entrepreneurs of the decade celebrate 10 years

20 of iLembe’s most promising “top gun” entrepreneurs have reached new heights through the Entrepreneur of the Decade Programme.

The annual programme from the iLembe Chamber of Commerce took on a new look this year, choosing to celebrate 20 of the past winners and competitors from the last 10 years.

As part of the this year’s event, a marketing video series was created in collaboration with Wordsmiths Marketing and The North Coast Courier which will help the entrepreneurs to market themselves going forward.

They also received 4 masterclass sessions with the prestigious Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

This knowledge will prove invaluable as businesses adapt to the new landscape after the coronavirus pandemic.

“I am so grateful to have been part of the initiative to learn new skills through the GIBS masterclasses,” said Deveshni Kullen of DVS Business Solutions.

Chris Voysey, director of Chris Voysey Communications, hosted the final event with input from three of South Africa’s most successful entrepreneurs.

It was the final chance in this year’s programme to glean some knowledge from some of the country’s best business minds.

Sonto Pooe, founder and CEO of NativeChild, a grassroots hair care company highlighted the importance of starting a business that you have a personal connection to.

“The frustration for me was the quality of products on the market, so I took it upon myself to start this business for the masses,” she said.

David Torr, founder and CEO of UCOOK, a home meal delivery service, spoke on the need to make your circumstance work for you.

“I had been travelling throughout South-East Asia and arrived back to few prospects. It took me hitting rock bottom to start this new journey,” he said.

Lynton Peters, founder of OneCart, an online shopping service talked about the need to be adaptable.

“I was in a promising career in the corporate world, but had an idea that I could not get rid of. You have to follow your passion in order to find success,” he said.

The entrepreneur competition continues to be an important event on the calendar for prospective businesses who are looking for a stepping stone to success.

“We have an airplane as the logo, and this ties in well with our message, which is to take these businesses to new heights,” concluded Voysey.

A new digital home for the programme is currently being built, and will go live soon.

To watch the final event which was live-streamed on October 29, visit The North Coast Courier Facebook page.