Sifiso Ndlovu still remembers the disappointment that swept through him after he narrowly missed out on securing what he had thought would be his dream job.
However, sensing an opportunity, it was his actions soon after that disappointment that set the tone for his entrepreneurship journey
“After graduating, I was invited to apply for a job at ASC Group. I was included on the list of final candidates for a job as an events manager. While I was confident of getting the job, the post was given to somebody else,” Sifiso explains.
“Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I thought ‘what if’ and is that ‘what if’ that brought me to where I am right now – a business owner who is doing something they are passionate about and love.”
Today, Sifiso is living his dream as a rising Zimbabwean entrepreneur based in South Africa and director at SVN Events.
Event Planning and Management
Headquartered in the lofty Sandton area of Johannesburg in South Africa, SVN is an event planning business comprised of a five-member team of dedicated and professional employees.
“We offer a range of services including event décor and entertainment, marketing solutions, and event planning from weddings to birthdays and sporting events or even concerts. Our services cater for both small and large-scale events.
“Our company was founded with the vision of providing top-of-the-shelf event planning services to our customers in Sandton, Johannesburg as well as to others in and around surrounding areas.”
Trekking From Zimbabwe
Born in Zimbabwe, Sifiso is proud to have found his breakthrough beyond the borders of South Africa.
This was after he decided to follow in the footsteps of many who had left Zimbabwe and crossed the great Limpopo River into South Africa in search of a better life by not only chasing but also attaining their dreams.
Growing up, Sifiso says although he had a burning desire to own and run his own business, he also considered other career options.
“I always knew I would be a leader one day, an entrepreneur because it was in my blood.
“However, as a young man growing up, I must say I was all over the place. I wanted to be a pilot or a doctor. While I was not certain, I knew that education was always going to be the key to attaining a successful position and achieving the right career path.
“Looking back, I take great pride in where I am right now considering where I started. I am now a director of a successful event planning company and I can inspire others who are chasing their dreams,” says Sifiso.
Funding Challenges
To ward off the stiff competition from other companies, Sifiso, and his team offer a wide range of services to cater to different customer needs, ensuring that every aspect of their customers’ events is professionally taken care of.
However, along the way, SVN has faced its fair share of challenges that come with the territory they are operating in.
“As an entrepreneur, the main challenge I faced was to raise the capital to start the business. In this industry you need vehicles to take you to the venues.
“Having a plan and a vision is one thing, raising capital to start up is another. Most financial institutions look at your trading history before anything. From being turned down, I never gave up. I learned to work and save up to get to where I am.
“I used to do some handyman jobs to fund my website and other business essentials because everything has a price,” Sifiso reveals.
‘Collaborate With Others’
Sifiso says he will never forget the long, hard road he has traveled and continues aiming for the top.
He feels duty-bound to help other entrepreneurs realize their dreams by drawing from his own experiences and how he managed to grow his company in the face of many obstacles.
“My advice to small business owners and entrepreneurs is that having no capital to start up does not necessarily mean it is the end of the road or your dreams. I see and hear often from young people that no capital means there is no business.
“There are opportunities out there. Do something to inject money to your business, even if it means doing some other odd jobs. Collaborate with other like-minded people because you are not alone in this journey.
“I have learned that rejection is not a reflection of my worth are abilities. I have also learned to move on. Dust yourself up when you fall. Opportunities are lying ahead,” Sifiso says.
