As the director of Streams Business Consultancy, Tobias Pikirayi’s primary priority is to help emerging entrepreneurs establish their businesses through funding support and skills that will generate high demand for the goods and services they offer.
Pikirayi, a certified entrepreneurship trainer, runs a coaching program called Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) under the supervision of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
This program aims to empower both startups and small to medium enterprises with the skills and tools needed to not only successfully navigate the often complex and challenging terrain of business but also to ensure they do not lose their footing.
“The reason I decided to start the business I am now running is that I have seen how poverty has destroyed people’s lives, marriages, and communities. As a result, I thought the best way to address poverty in a way that impacts many lives is by helping entrepreneurs succeed in business.
“Achieving this will also help them create jobs for others. I then became a trainer of entrepreneurs, focusing on helping them learn how to run a business. Along the way, I discovered that two major problems hinder small businesses from maintaining a healthy flow of income: lack of capital and the failure to generate demand for their goods and services.”
Registered as a business in 2019, Streams Business Consultancy offers a wide range of services to clients, including raising capital for business seminars, achieving financial due diligence, generating demand, and applying effective and relevant strategies and techniques.
Born in Kwekwe in 1985, Tobias attended Chembira Primary School in Harare for his primary education before proceeding to Chikwingwizha Seminary for his O Levels. He completed his A Levels at Chaplin High School in Gweru.
“I studied Marketing Management and graduated from Midlands State University. I also hold a certificate in Raising Capital for Your Business from the International Trade Centre (I.T.C) as part of my professional qualifications.
“I never initially thought of starting a business—it’s something that came later in life. I only had a desire to help others, which became the driving force behind starting a business that would help entrepreneurs secure capital, particularly non-collateral capital, as collateral is often a barrier for many people. We also assist entrepreneurs with tips and advice on how to generate demand for their businesses.”
The challenges Tobias has faced as an entrepreneur are directly linked to the tough economic environment in Zimbabwe, which can create many barriers for both startups and established businesses. However, his unyielding spirit and strong desire to succeed have helped him find solutions to the difficulties he has encountered so far.
“Some of the challenges I’ve faced since starting this business include an economy that is not favorable for those operating formal businesses. For example, issues like taxes and other legal requirements are obstacles for the high number of businesses operating in the informal sector.
“It’s a challenge because, in order to secure capital, businesses need to be legally registered from the start. So I had to find ways to show entrepreneurs the benefits of formalizing their businesses. Another challenge has been attracting investors in a volatile economy. However, we’ve overcome this by securing local investors.”
In addition to successfully training numerous entrepreneurs, Streams Business Consultancy has also achieved a breakthrough by securing partners willing to invest in emerging businesses.
With a team of five employees currently working under the company’s wing, Tobias is confident that Streams Business Consultancy will continue to grow and sustain its success.
“We have plans to increase the number of employees as the business grows. Our goals for the next five years include generating leads for at least 1,600 technical service providers across Zimbabwe. We also aim to establish a revolving fund that will cater to the working capital needs of at least 20 small to medium enterprises at a time.”
Tobias Pikirayi’s big heart, optimism, and strong desire to uplift other entrepreneurs by giving them a chance to flourish make the services he provides at Streams Business Consultancy highly relevant to emerging Zimbabwean entrepreneurs.
By guiding others toward success, he is also writing his own story—one he hopes will have a happy and fulfilling ending.
