After her husband’s death, Popi Zolas abandoned her corporate career and took on a restaurant franchise, before immersing herself in the catering and confectionery business.
AS A COST CONSULTANT working in the corporate space, Popi Zolas never thought she would one day be in the catering and baking business. But when life deals you rude surprises, you make plans to make the dough to live it down.
Her husband’s death in a car accident in 1997 resulted in her inheriting shares in the then popular Something Fishy restaurant in Johannesburg that her husband franchised.
After his death, she was thrown in the deep end and had to co-manage his business.
“I worked there for seven years together with a partner and we did phenomenally well but our visions were different and we had to buy each other out; he offered me more than [the amount] I was happy offer him. I exited the group in 2003,” she says.
Zolas rested for a while and went into franchise consulting, and then went on to research global eating trends in 2004. The same year, 180 Degrees Catering & Confectionery was born. She named the business after the standard temperature used for baking.
“This baby (180 degrees) is a very difficult baby, but it’s a very rewarding baby in the sense that people who start off as cleaners, end up in either the confectionery or catering department,” says Zolas.
It began as a restaurant in Bryanston, north of Johannesburg, employing 15 people, but has seen some changes over the years.
The initial idea was to create home-style, nutritionally balanced meals for families and corporate employees. Part of the concept was also to make high-end meals that would be convenient.
This story is from the May 2019 edition of Forbes Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2019 edition of Forbes Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
HIP-HOP'S HOTTEST HUSTLER
The Memphis rap star runs one of the biggest music labels, owns a piece of an MLS team and is looking to expand his empire like his billionaire mentor Jay-Z. But first, he's going to business school.
Kigali Triennial, The Ambitious New Event On The African Cultural Calendar
Rwanda has rightly earned the nickname of \"a land of a thousand hills and a thousand and one opportunities\" because of the country's impressive economic progress. However, after the recently-concluded celebration of arts which was the inaugural Kigali Triennial festival, you can now add culture to the list of things the country offers for tourists and investors.
The dark Side of AI
There is a thin line between innovation and abuse. A look at how large language models (LLMs) are making cyber-criminals even better at mastering the art of deception.
Gene Gamechanger
Disease-resistant crops? Cows that can withstand climate change? Here's how CRISPR is already transforming the continent, and why building a network of skilled scientists can help position Africa as a key global contributor in this frontier of crop development.
Women Empowerment And Transformation In Mining: A Distinctive Perspective
GMDC is a mining company that specializes in tungsten (wolfram) and operates in the city of Kigali, Nyarugenge District, Mageragere Sector.
How The Mining Sector Contributes To Community Development Initiatives
It plays a significant role in Rwanda's overall development, contributing to infrastructure, job creation, health, education, and even environmental conservation. It's not just about extracting resources; mining is mandated to build up the communities and nation alongside its operations.
Reflecting On 2023 Milestones And A Look Ahead
Last year solidified Rwanda's position as a prime African mining investment destination and a burgeoning hub for mineral value addition. What will 2024 hold?
Rwandan Mining Regulator Unveils Three-Year Mineral Exploration Campaign
A holistic approach to responsible mineral resource management in the country.
TASTING SUCCESS
Paul Siguqa has had an unlikely journey in the wine business in South Africa. His mother worked in the vineyards as a laborer during the apartheid era and now, his fully black-owned wine farm sells premium products.
Creating Stronger Communities In Africa Through Digital And Financial Inclusion
In Sub-Saharan Africa, a silent barrier to economic inclusion and social mobility persists: one in four adults lacks identification, according to a World Bank report.
