Get Your Small Business off the Ground

The Government’s behind it. Banks, venture capitalists and the Innovation Fund are supporting it. South Africa’s homegrown entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth succeeded at it. Now it is your chance to get into it. Small Business Development.

Entrepreneurship, business development, job creation, World Cup 2010 and SME’s are SA’s hottest buzzwords. But starting your own business will take commitment, guts and belief in yourself. You’ll have to knuckle down and develop your business plan, set up your work space, buy office equipment and stationery and attract your first client before you can make your first profit and begin to reap the benefits of your efforts.

So to make sure you lay the foundations first time and avoid the pitfalls of many first time small business owners, consider enrolling for a small business management course to give you the groundwork you need to join the rest of SA’s up-and-coming entrepreneurs!

Are you an entrepreneur?
Quinton Meiring, INTEC College’s career guidance counsellor says entrepreneurs are a certain type of person, with passionate, energetic, resourceful and ‘never give up’ attitudes backing their zest. Do you think you have what it takes to be SA’s own Richard Branson? Take our test – answer yes to five or more questions and you could have what it takes.

Do you want to be your own boss? Are you a risk-taker who is not afraid of setbacks? Are you confident in your own abilities? Are you an out-the-box thinker? Do you have vision, tenacity, drive and motivation? Do you have a strong desire to achieve? Are you a problem solver? Do you have a good head for figures? Are you passionate about South Africa, local industry and development? Are you a hard worker who is able to see projects through to completion, even when times are tough?

Y / N Y / N Y / N Y / N Y / N Y / N Y / N Y / N Y / N Y / N

Small Business Management – Where to study?
One of the recommended South African institutions offering a comprehensive Certificate in Small Business Management for avid entrepreneurs is INTEC College. Students will develop a range of skills, including how to market a small business, how to write that business plan that is going to knock your potential clients’ socks off, how to balance books, price products, control stock and manage a budget. The flexible and affordable distance learning course will allow you to study while you work, giving you the option of staying economically active or extra time to work on your business plan.

Career direction – The only way is up!
Career opportunities are endless and depend on your talents and interests. You could develop a new product, start a franchise or open your own furniture trading business. You could even launch a corporate gifting business that invests in local artists and manufacturers – the sky really is the limit!

Click here for more information and to enrol for this exciting course