Start Ups

“Our mission is simple, to make cash-flow management free for consumers,” said Wesley Billett, Co-Founder and CEO of Happy Pay. “If we can connect the right product to the right person at the right moment and remove payment friction, commerce itself can fund the flexibility. That allows us to deliver installment payments without charging consumers interest.”

“South Africa’s franchise sector has proven its resilience and economic value, contributing close to R1 trillion to the economy and supporting around 500,000 jobs nationwide,” says Ryan Gaines, CEO at Fastway Couriers South Africa. “Despite this, many franchise opportunities remain under-recognised. We’ve seen strong growth since 2019, reflecting how structured business ownership models are becoming a more attractive and stable pathway for entrepreneurs, particularly amid rising living costs and economic uncertainty.”

“I just wanted to try,” Lucy says matter-of-factly. “You don’t know if something will work unless you do it.” That early curiosity turned into a string of pop-ups – first in the reception of BlackBrick Foreshore, and later at a kids’ entrepreneur market where she outsold her competition with pure enthusiasm. “I shouted for hours,” she laughs. “People bought from me first because they could hear me!”

The Leruo Foundation is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and young business leaders in South Africa by providing mentorship, funding access, and skills development. The foundation focuses on three areas including women-led enterprises, supporting youth entrepreneurship, and promoting branding companies. By taking a hands-on, grassroots approach, the foundation ensures that aspiring business owners receive practical, tailored support to help them succeed in an increasingly competitive economic landscape.

Tracy’s advice to all young people facing challenges is to “get involved and reach out”. At university she became a member of the student council, she played sport and found other support available to students. “When you start your studies, throw yourself into the experience. There’s so much support available if you look for it. You don’t have to go through it alone.”

That’s when the real entrepreneurs rise.

The ones who don’t give up when the numbers aren’t pretty. The ones who get out of their seat, put on their shoes, and go knock on doors. The ones who don’t wait for business to find them — because they know, it won’t.

From time to time in my work as a brand consultant, I take part in naming projects. Naming can be like buses – you wait for ages for one to come, then two come at once. 2023 has been a year for naming things.

Entrepreneurship is a journey laden with challenges and triumphs. To navigate this path successfully, it’s crucial for entrepreneurs to harness the power of Human Resources (HR) and align their strategies with their core values. CRM Enterprise offers invaluable advice for entrepreneurs seeking to do the same.