Brian Malatji

Social entrepreneurs Sage accou Serial entrepreneur Brian Malatji shares his story and advice to keep your business going through good times and bad.In 2014, Brian Malatji founded Dinoko Automation Service & Repair with just R200 in his pocket. He turned his R200 into a R2.7 million, award-winning business in less than six years. Today, Brian’s township business is still thriving, having survived the pandemic and all the struggles that came with it.But how did Brian safeguard his business at a time when many… Show more Serial entrepreneur Brian Malatji shares his story and advice to keep your business going through good times and bad.In 2014, Brian Malatji founded Dinoko Automation Service & Repair with just R200 in his pocket. He turned his R200 into a R2.7 million, award-winning business in less than six years. Today, Brian’s township business is still thriving, having survived the pandemic and all the struggles that came with it.But how did Brian safeguard his business at a time when many small businesses could not? And how has the pandemic changed how Dinoko Automation operates?In this article, we reveal Brian’s tricks of the trade.Dinoko Automation Service & Repair fact fileHow it started: A story of determination and resilienceAfter quitting his job at a gate and garage automation manufacturing company, Brian took his skills and cashed in his provident fund to start his own township security business. The gap was there, the demand was there, and he had a solid foundation from which to start.That was until a car accident exhausted his funds and left him with just R200 to his name. Brian was left with no capital, a poor credit record, and two choices: he could either look for another job or use his R200 to pursue his new venture.After no luck finding another job, Brian was left with plan B.Using his R200, he bought airtime to call his contacts and ask if they knew anyone in the township who needed gate and garage automation services.“I set appointments with potential clients and asked for a deposit to purchase material and start with the installation.”Fast forward to the 2019/20 financial year when Dinoko Automation turned over R2.7 million. Brian took just five years to go from an anxious start-up entrepreneur to owner of a multimillion-rand business.Numerous awards, humble beginnings, and millions later, Brian is more resilient and motivated than ever before.But not without facing a new set of challenges Show less