Raizcorp ARIZE

INTERVIEW: Moabi Tladi - Black Print Design

Tell us a little bit about your background.

I grew up in Tembisa, surrounded by an entrepreneurial family. My parents and extended family are all entrepreneurs. I attended Athlone Boys High and later matriculated from General Jan Smuts High. I then went on to study Graphic Design at the Vaal Technikon (as it was then known).

Have you always been interested in Graphic Design, and what made you decide to venture out on your own?

I was interested in advertising in general from a very young age. I decided to venture out on my own as I did not enjoy the restrictions imposed on me as a result of being employed by someone else, especially time restrictions. When you have your own business, the hours may be longer, but at least they're yours. Creativity does not keep office hours. Even though the hours may be long, and the work tough, there is a satisfaction in knowing that "what you put in, you will get out".

What are a few of the difficulties which you faced as an SMME?

It is very difficult to "crack it" in the business world, especially in the world of visual design and graphics. It is easier to get business in other parts of Africa than in South Africa, but that needs greater resources. The South African market is very tough as we have a greater choice. This makes for a very competitive market and the “Dotcom” boom has delivered solutions straight to the client. The balance between First World and Third World economies, within South Africa, is very difficult to achieve.

What made you decide to join Raizcorp?

I walked into the Business Place in Marshall Street looking for office space and was told that Raizcorp could maybe help (even though they weren’t sure what Raizcorp did). I then proceeded to find out more about what exactly Raizcorp was all about and was hooked by the fact that it did not provide financial assistance. I have always believed that if you applied yourself, then you would be profitable, so it appealed to me to learn how to apply myself. Going through the Raizcorp programme also saves time as I could learn everything I needed to, just as if I was attending a business school, only in a more practical way that focused on my own business.

Now that you have completed your 1st year, what has the experience been like for you? What were some of the highs and lows?

Well, Raizcorp has been very good to me and I have learned and grown so much. A high was definitely attending the "Who Am I?" course as this was a real eye opener and I would recommend that any new Raizcorpian attend this course first. The realisation that “it all begins with me” had a huge impact on my growth as it opened my eyes with regards to how I deal with things. The "Am I An Entrepreneur?" course was a key success factor in my business as I was able to grasp I you go about making business decisions. I was then able to see the links between myself on a personal level and my business.

The lows revolved mostly around time management as I was not really prepared for how much time it would actually take to work on the programme (especially the Maps). I think it was also difficult as the entrepreneurs (in general) don't fully understand the relationship between the Sponsor, the Entrepreneur and Raizcorp.

What are you looking forward to as you go into your 2nd year?

My second year is definitely “All systems go!” I believe, now that I have learned the basics of business, I can apply them in my second year and experiment with them so that I can find ways to grow.

Give us a brief explanation on exactly what it is that you do.

BlackPrint Design is a visual merchandising company that assists its clients in creating corporate identity. It provides services such as graphic design, logo creation and printed merchandise.

Final thoughts or comments?

I have learned that everything you need is there; you just need to keep your eyes open and your ear to the ground. Read the messages on the walls. Talk to people; you’ll be surprised at what you can learn. And don’t take the experience for granted!

Remember that it is a two-way street between entrepreneurs and sponsors: they need each other for sustainability and growth in the country.

And, lastly, entrepreneurs need to start thinking more broadly: see your business big and you will see the big impact it can make on the world!