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Over the previous yr, the BizNews tribe has been launched to some inspirational ‘Kasipreneurs courtesy of SA’s casual sector guru, GG Alcock. On this interview, we meet the person behind Lebzcafe’, whose iKoffie model is having fun with critical traction after he gained the latest Amstel Entrepreneur competitors. On this uplifting dialogue, Lebohang Nyandeni shares his background, learnings and ambitions, with GG chipping in on what we are able to all study from tales like Lebo’s, explaining what impressed him – and the judges. – Alec Hogg
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Related timestamps from the interview
00:07 – Introductions
01:01 – GG Alcock on what caught his eye about younger entrepreneur Lebohang Nyandeni
02:53 – Lebohang Nyandeni on his background and what drew him to espresso
11:42 – His personal mix of espresso
13:15 – How his espresso compares to different prompt espresso blends and the worth
15:33 – Advertising within the formal sector
20:11 – The place you’ll find LebzCafe
20:24 – Conclusions
Hear right here
Edited transcript of the interview with GG Alcock and Lebohang Nyandeni
Alec Hogg: GG Alcock is our eyes into the casual sector right here at BizNews. He’s the writer of the ‘Kasinomics collection of books, opening many minds in South Africa to the financial potential and human capital that exists there. We’ve beforehand spoken with entrepreneurs Refiloe Rantekoa, Mbali Khubekha, Ntabiseng Sejake, and Palesa Hlatshwayo. At this time we’re assembly Lebohang Nyandeni.
GG, Lebo got here to your consideration by the Amstel Entrepreneur competitors, which he gained. What caught your eye about this younger espresso entrepreneur?
GG Alcock: Thanks, Alec. The primary time I met Lebo, I had my doubts. We went to an off-the-cuff settlement in Evaton, questioning if we’d discover a espresso entrepreneur there. To our shock, Lebo had a rare story and a ardour for espresso. It’s fascinating as a result of individuals usually affiliate the casual financial system with spaza outlets and hair salons, however many different entrepreneurs are on the market. Lebo has established himself on this sector, providing an incredible product. These entrepreneurs typically don’t get sufficient publicity regardless of being resilient people who current nice alternatives.
Alec Hogg: Unusual individuals doing extraordinary issues. Lebo, might you inform us about your background and attraction to espresso?
Lebohang Nyandeni: Actually, thanks for the platform. I’m Lebohang Nyandeni, raised in Vaal, Evaton, by my single mom and 5 siblings. Regardless of being deprived, I’ve all the time been optimistic and pushed. I used to be extremely concerned in extracurricular actions and management roles throughout my college years. I’ve all the time been serious about enterprise and have held quite a few motivational seminars for younger college students in my neighborhood.
I developed my love for espresso by my grandmother. She would often ship me to organize cups of espresso, which on the time felt like a chore. Nevertheless, that laid the muse for my espresso enterprise, Extra Espresso. 2018 after finishing my entrepreneurship course, I knew I wished to begin my very own enterprise. This led me to discovered the Startup Entrepreneurship Academy, the place we host workshops and motivational seminars to encourage younger individuals to begin their companies.
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GG Alcock: That’s a exceptional journey, Lebo. And it’s an actual testomony to your entrepreneurial spirit and dedication.
Lebohang Nyandeni: Sure, it wasn’t a simple highway, however I’ve realised that many younger individuals register companies with out beginning them. So we herald audio system to encourage them. I utilized for language observe and utilized linguistics on the College of Johannesburg in 2019, however my focus has all the time been on fostering entrepreneurship and making a distinction in my neighborhood.
You’ll typically be drawn to numerous programs should you’re an entrepreneur. Initially, you’re feeling excited, however over time, you might realise they aren’t what you actually need. That’s what occurred to me. Given my ardour for media and broadcasting, I began skipping courses and attending performing auditions. Ultimately, I dropped out, a lot to the frustration of my household. By then, I’d already dabbled in entrepreneurship and dreamed of proudly owning a espresso model. Nevertheless, I didn’t know the place to begin.
After working at VOW FM as a content material producer, I labored at a Maboneng retailer promoting Skinny’s Sbu’s socks. A barista visited the shop in the future, reigniting my dream of proudly owning a espresso model. This barista linked me with a espresso roaster, and issues took off from there. Regardless of the challenges posed by the pandemic and sourcing suppliers from outdoors South Africa, I used to be dedicated to my imaginative and prescient.
Ultimately, I met one other business participant when Skinny’s Sbu closed its retailer because of the pandemic. I made a decision to take the cash I had and begin my very own model. So, I returned to my hometown in Evaton and continued my analysis. I discovered a provider in Cape City and developed an incredible mix of prompt espresso, which I’m extraordinarily captivated with.
Alec Hogg: Your personal mix, you say? So it’s neither conventional espresso nor barista espresso?
Lebohang Nyandeni: Sure, I’ve created prompt espresso, beans, chai, and scorching chocolate blends.
GG Alcock: I extremely suggest them, particularly should you’re a espresso addict like me.
Lebohang Nyandeni: Given the assorted challenges South Africans face, like load shedding and rising prices, I felt it was important to offer a well-balanced, freeze-dried espresso that isn’t bitter.
Alec Hogg: How does it examine to in style manufacturers like Jacob’s, particularly by way of style and value?
Lebohang Nyandeni: By way of style, it’s much less bitter and well-balanced. As for the worth, 200 grams prices solely 130 rands.
Alec Hogg: And the way does that examine to grocery store manufacturers?
Lebohang Nyandeni: It’s cheaper. Manufacturers like Jacob’s can go for as a lot as R170 or R160 rands for 200 grams.
Alec Hogg: Fascinating. Are you able to inform us extra concerning the enterprise mannequin?
Lebohang Nyandeni: Actually. The espresso will get freeze-dried in Cape City, and we now have an incredible partnership with the roasters there. We promote on-line nationwide and are additionally stocked in Decide and Pay Ola’s Market in Vanderbijl Park. Not solely are we promoting nice espresso, however we’re additionally working a profitable on-line enterprise.
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Alec Hogg: That’s fairly a formidable distribution technique.
Lebohang Nyandeni: Thanks. I’ve all the time aimed for a well-crafted, well-balanced product, and I consider we’ve achieved that with our espresso mix. It’s doing fairly nice. And I’m so excited that South Africans are literally receiving us the way in which we understand them to be receiving us. So yeah.
Alec Hogg: It sounds fascinating, however you have to open some huge doorways. Presumably, you’ve now obtained the manufacturing and the distribution. GG, can you mentor Lebo in any method and, certainly, maybe open that path to market within the formal sector?
GG Alcock: Completely, 100%. I’ve been working with Lebo on this. As an example, Lebo gained the Amstel Entrepreneur marketing campaign. One of many prizes for the shortlisted members was a mentor and a advertising finances. This was a studying expertise for each of us as a result of the shortlisted entrepreneurs obtained top-notch mentors, not simply me however individuals like DJ Zinhe and Lebo Shugasmakx. The lesson is that we must always give attention to scale-ups as an alternative of specializing in startups. Startups have a low likelihood of success since they’re new to the enterprise. However should you assist a enterprise that’s already been profitable to scale up, that’s the place the actual alternative lies. It’s not nearly cash; in addition they want expertise and mentorship. We’ve seen the massive advantages of getting a mentor information them in model positioning and distribution methods.
The secret’s to create connections to search out these scale-ups and assist them scale up additional. One of many huge issues about enterprise is networks. Individuals like Lebo don’t actually have a community inside the enterprise neighborhood. Nevertheless, if we are able to get them into these networks, it may well rework their enterprises. So sure, I’m serving to him, however there’s plenty of alternative and many individuals like Lebo on the market.
Alec Hogg: Nicely, it’s an fascinating story certainly. Typically, it doesn’t matter the place you come from; it’s what you do with the playing cards you’ve been dealt. And Lebo actually has been dealing with his playing cards very properly.
GG Alcock: Yeah.
Alec Hogg: I’m positive many South Africans will need a few of that prompt espresso. May you inform us the web site once more?
GG Alcock: Actually, it’s LebzCafe.co.za. He will even be on Takealot quickly.
Alec Hogg: Incredible. Thanks for sharing your story with us, GG. Entrepreneurship is alive and properly in South Africa; generally, we should take the blinkers off to see it.
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