Tell us about a bit about yourself and your background.

My name is Yoliswa Sibeko from a small town called Kwa-Thema in the East of Johannesburg but currently residing in Kathu since 2014. I am married with one child. I studied Economics and Management Sciences with UNISA and am currently doing my 3rd year in BCom Business Management through UNISA. Apart from being a student, I am the mother and wife. Founder and owner of Hotdog Kathu, I always wanted to be in business and wanted to start but did not know where to start until Hotdog Kathu came to life.

At what stage in your life did you decide to get into business?

Lockdown 2020 was a period that brought a lot of uncertainty into the country, people were losing jobs left right and centre and some didn’t know where their next meal would come from. I decided to stop looking for a job and take up on hotdog business. Business had always been my childhood dream, but I just never had enough capital to pursue it before, but then realized that instead of waiting for “enough capital “ I can start small and use what I have now.

What sets your business apart from other businesses in your industry?

When the product is good everyone wants a piece of it, customers want to try our hotdogs because of the uniqueness of it, the taste and different ingredients, fresh and quality hotdogs. Our customer service and our presentation show it was made out of love and passion.

What has been your driving force as an entrepreneur?

Sometimes all you need is a will to pick up the pieces of your life after a traumatic experience, which might have left you desperate and destitute. Money is needed but it will not do much for you without that will and for me the willingness is my driving force.

How did you come up with the name for your company? How easy or difficult was it?

We came up with Hotdog Kathu as we aimed at targeting our market within the community and to be accessible.

What kind of culture exists in your organisation, and how did you establish it?

Customer – centric, innovation and transparency. We always encourage our customers for feedback whether it is negative or positive. It is very essential for us to listen to our customers.

What does your business do? What products or services do you offer?

We sell hotdogs. Our hotdogs are not just food, but they come with experience. Everyone likes good food every now and then and again it is one of the things that bring people together. We pride ourselves with providing quality ingredients and freshly prepared hotdogs.

How has being an entrepreneur affected your life?

Starting out can be very daunting and it comes with lots of doubts. The competition is very high, every day you need to be creative with marketing and also juggling being a wife and mother. It has affected my life in a great way by giving me a different perspective about life that anything is possible.

Would you change anything in terms of your journey in business?

Procrastination and insecurities I believe I would have been far in this venture but it is never too late to start.

How do you manage the balance of being an entrepreneur?

Time management is very crucial. One needs to prioritize very well and plan ahead so I can also give my family a quality time and replace my to-do list with routines and take a break to meditate.

What motivates you every day?

My customers and family, getting an order before we even open for the day, just gives me more courage to try again and give my customers more of what they already expect.

What is your vision in business?

Provide excellent customer service, provide quality taste and wallet friendly products.

What is your mission?

We aim to provide food that is not about social status but about filling you up with happiness and quality ingredients.

What are your values in your business?

Transparency, fun, trust and continuous learning.

How do you define success in business?

Consistency and learning to start small, being patient to build my business. Whatever I have is small money, resources, or knowledge about the industry I can start with because success takes time.

Do you believe that entrepreneurs are born or made and why?

Entrepreneurs are made. Everyone can choose to do pioneering work and become an entrepreneur as a career but the motivation and will to make such a choice for everyone is not the same.

What is your favorite thing you like about being an entrepreneur?

Creativity and thinking out of the box, having ideas, and bringing them to life and also when the next person is willing to spend their hard-earned money to buy my creativity and ideas.

What has been your most greatest achievement in business?

Getting great responses from customers. We are still very new and obviously do not know much but with the feedback all is still well and on the right track.

Could you please give us links to your business?

https://www.facebook.com/Hotdogs-Kathu-117507223877090/

Are you an entrepreneur in Kathu who wants to be interviewed. Get in touch