What you'll find on this page:

• Suggestions on how to start a business in South Africa, courtesy of the Small Enterprise Development Agency, and
• Useful links to a range of advisory agencies and organisations around Johannesburg to help you start your business 

TIPS AND HINTS COURTESY OF SEDA:

The Small Enterprise Development Agency is the Department of Trade and Industry's agency for supporting small business in SouthAfrica.

Starting Your Own Business:

To start your own business will need careful planning and lots of perseverance. It will not always be easy, but if you succeed, you will be empowered, and will join the business community of our country.

Some basic guidelines for starting a business:

First you need a business idea. Look around, talk to people, read and try to identify a product or service that is needed in your own or a wider community. Once you have an idea, you need to plan your business. Consider the following:

How to put together a business plan:

• What are my products or services? Describe them - why are they better than other similar offerings?

• Where is my market? Estimate how many clients in your own or a wider community will buy your product. What will it cost? Can the clients afford the price? Do a simple market survey on which to base your figures. Who are my competitors? What risks am I taking? 

• Who will manage the business, where will my office be, who will do the work? What will it cost? Consider all your expenses ‚ will they be covered by your sales, how much profit do you want to make?

• Where will I get funding - from family, friends, the bank?

This is a very simple example of what a business plan is all about. Once you have done your homework, you can approach a Business Support Centre in your vicinity to help you to formalise your plan in much more detail. It is not a good idea to approach them before you have done your part. The business advisers in the Centre will advise you on how to proceed, and what their services will cost.

For information on Business Support Centres, you may call the Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) on 0860 103703, or visit www.seda.org.za.

You can start quite small, and expand your business over time.

REMEMBER: If you persevere, you WILL succeed!

USEFUL CONTACTS:

Small Enterprise Development Agency

Physical address
the dti Campus
Block G
77 Meintjies Street
Sunnyside

The Business Place is a national network of youth-friendly, walk-inentrepreneurial centres. Visit their welcoming and friendly offices or their excellent website:

www.thebusinessplace.co.za

Physical address
58 Marshall Street
3rd Floor
Johannesburg

The Department Of Trade and Industry

Tel:  0861 843 384

The Industrial Development Corporation 

Physical address
19 Fredman Drive,
Sandton

Postal address
PO Box 784055,
SANDTON,
2146

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