I had the pleasure of meeting Xoliswa Moraka in 2022 while she was at the SAB Foundation. She has a profound grasp of the challenges that small businesses encounter and provides invaluable guidance for navigating these difficulties. Xoli stands out for her ability to appreciate the unique characteristics of each business, steering clear of a ‘one size fits all’ mentality. I witnessed this directly when she took the time to thoroughly evaluate our business, taking into account its specific context and needs before we collaborated on strategies. Her commitment and enthusiasm for aiding small businesses are genuinely motivating. With her extensive expertise and years of experience, she is transforming the way small businesses are supported, emphasizing intentionality and purpose. 

Working with Colab4Growth has truly transformed my business. I’ve gained a fresh perspective, learned to work with intention, and ventured into new growth-driven opportunities. Before joining Colab4Growth through the 54 Collective Programme, my ability to expand my thinking was limited. I often viewed situations from a single angle and felt less supported than I had hoped. My business was heavily dependent on me, lacking independence. 

Since partnering with Colab4Growth, my outlook has expanded, my confidence has soared, and I’ve become bolder in allowing my business to thrive by building a team to support the operations of Mageba Wellness. In just 12 weeks, Mageba Wellness progressed from having no staff to hiring five individuals (including part-time, full-time, and consultants). We’ve also attracted new clients and successfully doubled our revenue, achieving a remarkable 48% growth. 

My coach has kept me accountable and consistent by continually reminding me of our growth strategy and celebrating all our achievements. Her communication approach has made our journey smooth and flexible, rather than rigid. 

Reogopotse holds a wholesale license for fuel supply. I joined the RMC 18-month Incubation program in October 2019, hoping to discover business opportunities at the mine, but the program exceeded my expectations. Xoliswa from Colab4growth led the intensive program aimed at enhancing our business operations and positioning our enterprises for growth. Some key takeaways included: learning to identify market needs, defining our core offerings, crafting a clear value proposition, developing a strategic business plan, and sharpening our pitching skills. 

Initially, we supplied a construction company with 500 liters of diesel, using a diesel bowser and my car for deliveries. Thanks to the program, our business approach underwent significant growth. By April 2021, we secured our first contract to supply 40,000 liters to a client. Our expansion continued as we acquired additional contracts with local mines. While we faced challenges such as non-payments from clients that affected our cash flow, the Colab4growth program equipped us with the tools to navigate these situations effectively. We are proud to report that we have increased our supply from 500 liters of diesel per week to an impressive 280,000 liters per week. 

Master Deere specializes in the repair and & maintenance of plant hire machinery. The company was in its startup phase  when it began working with Colab4growth. Today, Master Deere has become a well-established business, largely owing its success to Colab4growth. Master Deere successfully secured contracts in the mining sector, and the founder has since pursued studies in project management, business management, and people management. Now, the company is accredited with ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certifications, as well as deep cleaning accreditation, allowing it to compete with larger firms in the mining industry.