At the height of the Covid pandemic, as many South African companies struggled to come up with solutions to keep their businesses afloat but, Tasneem Khan and her husband saw a gap in the market.
“During the Covid pandemic, many businesses I knew and supported ceased operations due to disrupted cash flows and lack of financial literacy,” explains Tasneem.
“The sudden and overnight shutdown of these businesses was frightening. But I noticed a significant gap for bookkeeping, remote accounting support and financial forecasting. With the help of my husband and his finance background, we created the vision that empowered, assisted and connected people on a global scale.
“This opportunity helped to rebuild their broken empire and create value which was once lost. During that time Tax Café Ltd was born which later became ST Consultants Holding Pty Ltd,” she adds.
Accounting and Taxation Services
ST Consultants is a growing consultancy firm that specializes in accounting, taxation, company secretarial, software support, and operational planning. They have tailored their business to address SME cashflow challenges while delivering professional and high-quality services.
For an entrepreneur who started establishing herself while the world was reeling under the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tasneem has learned that the only constant in life is change.
“Business landscapes evolve every second of our lives. From digital transformation to the new norm of working from home, we must constantly update our knowledge. Finding younger versions of ourselves with a more technology driven mindset in the finance field is exciting and challenging at the same time.
“However, we still try and look independently to the generation who needs empowering.
With that said, from being a team of two, ST Consultants Holding Pty Ltd within a year has built a team of consultants who are of all generations and 90% women. We are continuously building a culture of empowerment, generation communication, creativity and adapting to new technological skills,” says Tasneem.
A Dream Come True
Tasneem says owning and running her own business is a dream come true and something she has always passionately envisaged achieving from years back, since she was a little girl.
“My journey as an entrepreneur began from a simple observation at the age of ten. My parents owned many businesses, and I would admire the elegance of women dressed to kill in corporate outfits dashing in and out of their business.
“Suitcase in hand, intelligence on paper and mindset of certainty, I knew that would be me in the future. Many years later, wife and mum to two beautiful girls, my dream has been fulfilled.
“I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Johannesburg, South Africa. My parents ensured I was educated at the best school. That education created the backbone I was desperately searching for to start my own business and explore the many possible ways to expand.
“I am, unfortunately, a true “study-worm” and every day I am continuously finding a challenge to open a book and begin a new set of studies.”
Building Young Entrepreneurs
As she looks to expand and grow her business, Tasneem has also set her sights on helping other aspiring entrepreneurs to make an impact and achieve their goals and objectives.
“We are currently working with a 13-year-old who has a growing creative talent in art. She began at the age of 7 with selling her paintings but was still venturing to finding her special talent, which within that year she realized she enjoyed crochet and knitting.
“This young entrepreneur approached us for help, and we stepped in and helped birth this dream of hers by building new ideas and allowing her to struggle with challenges, which demonstrates to this little girl the control she has over her business.
“With her passion, we are observing her maturity growth and mind-blowing ideas come to life every day.”
Flexibility and Improvement
Reflecting on her own experiences, Tasneem urges emerging startups not to fear taking risks and investing in brand awareness.
“Look for a Niche in the market segment and stay up to date with the external environment which is the major tool needed to build your internal environment.
“The most significant lesson learned is the approach to your cashflow… your customers. Maintaining a healthy relationship built on trust, communication and availability helped build and strengthen my empire.
“As an entrepreneur, flexibility and continuous improvement has taught me to embody courage and exude confidence when stepping into a new venture with changing dynamics. Gaining wisdom from experience and using that knowledge is the steppingstone for business improvement,” she concludes.
