I don't like seeing people struggling

BUSINESS MINDS OF FOOTBALLERS

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Tshepang Mailwane: Hola Pogiso, thank you so much for your time. Many people might not be aware that you have a furniture manufacturing business that you started a few months ago. Please tell us a bit about it...

Pogiso Mahlangu: The name of the business is Malindi Manufacturing and Designs. We manufacture furniture and we also do reupholstery. I fell in love with good-looking spaces and that's how I got inspired to start the business. I am not a guy who is into cars or typical things that guys like, which is also not a bad thing. I love it when I come home and I feel welcomed and at peace, so I was inspired to start the business. I didn't start with capital, surprisingly. I sold the idea to people I know, and they trusted me with the idea of designing their homes, starting with couches. I asked them to give me their couches to see what I can do. Then the couch looked stunning, and that's where the business started. People would give me a deposit and then I get everything that's needed. Once I've delivered the couch, you pay the balance. Then with that money, it carried over to the next client. So, I started with zero capital.

TM: How would you describe the journey so far?

PM: I'd say a lot of ups and downs so far. But I'd say the ups are really motivating in terms of getting to learn new things every day. A business is like your baby, so having to witness your baby growing in front of your eyes is really something special. Putting a lot of effort into it and seeing it grow every day really makes me happy.

TM: How do you secure business for your company?

PM: The business is quite busy. What we do is apply for government tenders or private sectors like banks, salons and spas. I apply for those tenders and then we make the furniture.

TM: What's the process of applying for tenders like? Do you have a lot of competition in that space?