The building and construction industry will always be one that literally feels the effect of economically tough times. Hein Goosen owns the business ‘Your Home Renovations’. Hein worked in the motor industry for about thirteen years, but always had a passion for doing home renovations. Starting with his own house, he gradually renovated, and through that process built up many skills. This made him realize that he would love to do renovations as a full time job. He took the risk and step out as an entrepreneur. In 2017 his business was established, and been going from strength to strength. Hein is married to Margo, and together they have two beautiful children. Hein has been in Howick for ten years now. Any business owner will be able to tell you the stress and anxiety that 2020 brought. I spent some time with this business, to find out what they have been going through this year. What has been your biggest fear in 2020? ‘The biggest fear was definitely that the 2020 lockdown would kill our business. I had a fear of being forced to go back to an industry and job that I didn’t enjoy, just to produce an income for my family. Keeping head above water and generating an income has been really difficult this year.’ How long was your business in stand-still this year? ‘We were not allowed to do any work for two months, it was quite stressful. From there we were allowed to gradually start doing odd jobs, just to get some money in. We had clients, who at that time already paid deposits for kitchens. We were not allowed to enter their properties, because of the strict restrictions. Because of that, income was really limited. Fortunately we were able to still keep all our staff, although we were not able to pay them their normal salary. We tried helping where we could.’ What has been the biggest life lesson that you’ve learned this year? ‘Unfortunately I’ve had to learn the hard way that you can’t always just trust people. There has been more than one incident where I was doing work for clients, and they did not pay. It’s been difficult to get funds from those clients, it has been quite disappointing. This is not something that is only because other people are under financial pressure in 2020. In general, this is something that I’ve had to deal with from time to time. It has probably also been one of my biggest challenges this year.’ Any advice or encouragement to others in the industry? ‘If a customer picks up a problem, always go back. Make sure that the customer is happy with the end result. Referrals mostly come from other customers as word of mouth marketing. That has been working really well for me. I’m proud to say that my business has really grown in the three years, since we started.’ It was lovely spending some time with Hein and his team. This year has certainly not been an easy one for them. I have however really been amazed by the many people and industries in this community, and how business has picked up after lockdown. South Africans really do have a way of picking their heads up and facing the music. Hein is a genuine and humble man. From the time I've spent with them I can really gather that he absolutely loves his work. Whenever he does a project, he goes the extra mile, to do it, and do it well.
I would just like to take the opportunity to thank Hein and his team for allowing me to come and spend some time with them. I know God has mighty plans and I speak His blessing over this business. May it prosper and excel. In the words of Hein: 'Business has actually picked up after lockdown. All of a sudden everyone wants to renovate their homes now. We have really been busy, so blessed to be able to say that.' To God be the glory.
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Running is such a crucial part of our everyday lives. Some of us will never run physically, but in a way we are all busy with some or other race in life. When running a race, we all know that there are the easier parts of downhill, a cool breeze, or maybe just that supporter along the road, giving you the boost you need to go the extra few kilometres. Then, of course there are the dreading parts of exhaustion, moments of feeling to give up, or trying to motivate yourself to know you can do this. This year, has surely been a race most of us were not prepared for. It has been a year of the unknown, and surely a time of being confronted with so many moments of making important decisions. If there are people who will understand all the dynamics of running a race, and running it well, it will be Andrew and Lauren Booth. KZN Trail running was established eleven years ago. They have such a heart for conservation, and combining that with their passion for running, they have not looked back. The sporting and leisure industry has been really hard hit this year, being some of the last allowed to open their doors to the public again. This business entered this year March, with ten full time staff. Unfortunately lockdown left them with no other option than to downscale, and currently there are three full time and one part time staff member left. I was curious to find out what they as an industry and family of four have been going through. What has been your biggest challenge this year? ‘We have had six months of no income coming into our business and household. Even before level five lockdown was announced, we were forced to stop our races, due to the one hundred limit that were placed on events. At that time, we were days away from hosting our biggest event of the year. The financial strain has been immense, and it’s going to take a long time to work ourselves out of the hole that we are in now.' 'Our staff team is also a lot smaller now. Being allowed to operate again, it is extremely challenging to gear everything, and to comply with all the different protocols that need to be in place for events. There is a lot to take into consideration, making sure that everything is done safely and responsible. Even though our sport is a non-contact sport, we need to be cautious to make sure people are safe. Our kids have always been part of our events, and included in the kid zones we have at our races. They really do miss that.' What has been your biggest fear in 2020? ‘It has been fearful to think of what could happen if our older, high risk parents contracted the virus. Our business is unfortunately also not diversified, as we are in the same industry as a family. The financial stress and fear has been overwhelming. The possibilities of not being able to make it as a business and having to re-enter the job market has been a very fearful thought. We have been feeling to be brave all the time. Not knowing for how long we will have to be brave, was exhausting. The emotional strain of the unknown has been tough.’ What has been your most positive experience during this time? ‘It has definitely been the slowing down of life. We were doing events on majority of our weekends, in various parts of the country. We knew we had to slow down in some way, but wasn’t sure how to do that, without having detrimental effects on the business. Lockdown has had devastating effects on the business, but we have had the slow down on life. It has brought us to a place where we got time to spend quality time with our children. We were able to give them the absolute undivided attention that we have lost in time.' 'The connection with the trail running community has also been immensely positive. The way that they reached out to us was really amazing. The first two months was supported by donations to a big degree from the trail running community. All of this added up. We were able to carry our staff for longer, and giving us that support.’ Any encouragement and advice to others in business? ‘Innovation is key. In these times, even though so many businesses have closed, so many others have come out with new business ideas, and so many innovative thoughts. Fortune favours the brave. Keep on trying, and be brave. Don’t allow this year to crush your spirit. There are always ways to keep trying, no matter what the circumstances are. We have had many humbling moments this year.’ I loved listening to what Lauren had to share about their year. They have also had lots of innovative ideas themselves, and in collaboration with someone else in their running community, started a new series named the Garden series. It allowed people to run in their Gardens and connect online, which was a saving grace for many being stuck at home. In her opinion it even allowed them some normality, and something to pull their energy into. Hosting live events from their own garden every Sunday was such a fun event. It allowed them to meet some furry friends online, and even see what people's gardens look like.
They were thrilled to be allowed to host one of their bigger events end of September, and it was really special to go and take a few snaps of the renown Karkloof 100 miler. This was their second post-lockdown event. I would just like to take the opportunity to thank the Booths for allowing me to come and spend a bit of time in their uncertain year. You guys have been running this year hard, but running it well. Keep going. I would like to speak a blessing over you as a family and a business. May, in the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty, God be your pillar of strength and strong tower. Thank you to all that you guys are pouring into, in this beautiful community. May it prosper and flourish. |
about me
I'm a passionate photographer based in the KZN Midlands - enjoying life to the full and spending time with my awesome family and friends... photo credit: www.peartree.co.za
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