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Think big when starting small

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Small business owners in Nelson Mandela Bay received useful marketing advice from local business owner Jaco Rademeyer at the inaugural meeting of the Eastern Cape Small Business Network today.

Invited as a guest speaker, Rademeyer, who started up Jaco Rademeyer Estates out of his VW Golf Chico in 2004, spoke of his trials and tribulations as an entrepreneur, advising business owners on how best to market their small businesses.

“You are your biggest commodity,” said Rademeyer, who will address NMMU students on the same topic on Wednesday morning. “Stay true to yourself, because people do business with people, not companies.”

He also spoke about innovative marketing, which has been at the forefront of growing his business. One example was sticking a mock moustache on his picture on advertising bins in November 2011, to highlight cancer in men during what is dubbed “Movember”.

“That got people talking because they thought the bins had been defaced, but it had been my idea all along and it got my company some publicity,” he said.

Eastern Cape Small Business Network founder Lwandiso Mpetsheni said he formed the group because he saw a need among small businesses.

“I formed the organisation in June this year to offer training, advice and networking opportunities specifically to small businesses, which are often left in the shadow of larger companies,” said Mpetsheni.

The organisation is also planning a small business exhibition in Port Elizabeth in December where “members will have stalls and a chance to show off their businesses”.

The next meeting takes place in East London on September 24. For any queries regarding the organisation, email Mpetsheni at ecsbn@gmail.com.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.