So as you all know I love to support local and started a segment where we could share, learn and inspire! It is so important to support local and share your findings with others.
During lock down, we are going to do a whole lot of these to highlight these businesses โ many of which are taking HUGE strain during this time โ and shed some awareness and love to all.
So I recently came across the most mouth watering photos on Instagram which led me to finding the most amazing local business, Roses Artisan Confectionery. Their products are made with so much love in Paarl in the Western Cape and they courier nationwide. So if you are looking for Turkish Delight, fudge, marshmallows, toffee, nougat and salted caramel just to name a few things – this is your place! They also do healthy snack packs and have lots of gifting options!
I was drooling just looking at their website while typing this. So please, support this lovely local business, and treat your loved ones to some sweet gifts!
We chatted to the lovely Susaar Opperman and they had this to say!
How does it feel to be a business owner that loves what they do?
95% of the time it is energising, satisfying and overall a great journey. However there are moments when it is daunting – that is when one has to dig deep and continue the race, but these moments are always overshadowed by the pleasure of doing work one loves to do.
What are the top 3 learnings you have had to find out the hard way since starting your own business?
Know your cash flow – daily. Guard your margins.
There must be basic processes and systems in place that make it easy for the team to know what they must do and how to repeat it in a consistent manner. (Otherwise the business owner can never take a break ๐ )
Finally, one will get nowhere alone, so the team is most important. It is hard work and an art to continually foster an environment that is energising and positive for all team members.
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
We so passionately believe that moments in life must be memorable and sweet. We would love to be the go-to on-line brand when these moments are planned. We are working toward a complete on-line basket that offers a variety of artisan goodies for all of life’s sweet moments.
What is your advice to individuals out there wanting to start their own businesses but are too scared?
Be a little scared and be cautious, but be brave and confident and know that one has resources far beyond one’s imagination. All of these emotions (bravery, confidence, fear, caution) are important when one starts a business, but, as always, everything must be in balance – being too brave and being too cautious are equally foolish.
Just start, and start small – to wait until one has everything 100% in place before one starts may take forever.
Tell us 2 things that are the BEST part about owning your own business and make it all worthwhile?
The best part is that one’s time is one’s own. Shaping and building something according to one’s dreams (even when there are failures), is also pretty awesome.
How has lock down affected you and your team?
It has not been easy for anyone on the team. We are not working full time yet, so to be at home most days and to be concerned over one’s own and the kids’ safety all the time is taxing. Then, to get to work is also a concern, because suddenly, travelling to work in a taxi is a safety risk!
As a business we lost 60% of our sales due to wine farms not operating and we have learnt that we have to be very creative in generating new opportunities. We remain positive and we are thankful for the support we have received from the government and other funds. We are forever grateful for the support of our loyal customers.
Check out their website for more! And don’t forget to give them a follow on Instagram and Facebook x
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