Revolutionary turned businessman
Focus, attitude change and determination breed success for Aubrey
Masuku of Mphilisi Development Consultants
Aubrey Masuku became involved with politics at school, establishing
many of the PAC youth wing school bodies around Gauteng. He had a
revolutionary attitude until interactions with returning exiles
started to de-militarise his views and he began to engage with white
youth. This change in attitude opened doors for him to switch his
focus to business and he started dreaming of running his own company.
Although registered in 2003, Mphilisi Development Consultants only
started operating in 2006. A signage and marketing company, he didn’t
have any capital and first came to TBP Alex looking for money. He was
surprised when he was able to walk into the office and sit with a
navigator without an appointment and this was the beginning of an
extremely positive relationship with TBP.
Advised that he could start without finance and armed with ideas on
how to do this, Aubrey promptly sold his services to TBP Alex and
produced the banners in time for the office launch. Getting 50% of the
invoice value up front proved critical to the deal.
From there Mphilisi grew exponentially. When he needed help and advice
he visited TBP Alex. Interaction with other clients at the office has
brought him new business opportunities and motivation when times were
tough.
Then in December 2007 Aubrey came second place in the inaugural
Alexandra Business Leader of the Year Award run by TBP Alex and
Standard Bank Ekurhuleni region.
The prize money allowed him to pay off a loan from UYF for the
purchase of mobile advertising trailers after only one month. He has
two trailers and can customise the advertising material on them as
required.
“The Awards have set the standard for entrepreneurs in Alex”
Mphilisi can now boast four full time staff, plus two projects
employing ten people for six months. The company is fully registered
with SARS and uses Pastel to keep the accounts. Fully aware of the
importance of record keeping Aubrey also has well designed invoices
and quotations and a list of his clients to make it easy to manage his
client relationships, critical for repeat business.
Expansion plans include getting his own printing equipment to cut the
wastage of outsourcing this part of the business. The availability of
digital equipment means this is no longer the massive capital outlay
it used to be. With Aubrey’s organisational and sales skills Mphilisi
is destined to go from strength to strength.
Business details:
Mphilisi Development Consultants
supplies signage, mobile
billboards and the promotion of different
services for different
clients.
Aubrey Masuku
Mobile: 084 238 9458
Email: mphilisi@webmail.co.za
Address:
3306 Far East Bank, Alexandra
Aubrey was assisted by Busi Nhlapo, Sandile Nhlapo and Dumi
Hlatshwayo of The Business Place Alex. His story was written by Julie
Machin following a site visit on 30 April 2008. |
