Name: Sinothile Hlubi
Company: Zenith-Tech
Business Line: Distributor for leading IT brands in South Africa
Contact: +27 (0)67 162 2815
Website: www.zenith-tech.co.za
TM: Can you briefly tell us a bit about yourself including your full names
SH: I'm Sinothile Hlubi. I am a 23 year old South African female entrepreneur who runs and owns 3 online stores, one of them being Zenith-Tech.
TM: Can you please tell us about what you do? What is Zenith-Tech all about and why was it created?
SH: Zenith-Tech is an IT online store that sells the latest in IT brands such as laptops, cellphones, tablets, gaming equipment, VR Peripherals, drones and other cool gadgets and electronics. We offer brands such as Apple, LG, Lenovo, Dell, Asus and Acer.
Zenith-Tech doesn't keep any stock so when you order from and through us, the manufacturer delivers straight to your house/location. It takes about 2 days maximum for it to get to you, meaning that sometimes it's the same day delivery.
I started Zenith-Tech because, as we all know, the unemployment rate in South Africa is scary. Especially as a youth. The next best thing was starting my own business and leverage on my digital knowledge and skills.
TM: What inspired you to venture into your line of work and who supported you along the way?
*Where did you get the financial backing to start your business?
SH: I was inspired by the need to make money. I particularly chose this IT store because the world is becoming more and more digitized. We've an era where we all can't live without some form of technology, whether-it-be your smartphone, tablet and above all wi-fi/data
I've gotten a lot of support and assistance from my mother; financially, mentally and strategically. She has also contributed so much into my overall vision without ever complaining or discouraging me.
TM: How has your journey been as a young entrepreneur behind a growing brand?
SH: Zenith-Tech is a brand new business. It's about 3 months old so it's still in its early days. I've heard the most difficult part of a business is the beginning and I think I agree with that. Navigating the business world and setting yourself apart is a challenge. You do have to work a bit harder (or smarter) as a young person in order for people to take you seriously. Most people automatically assume that I am an assist, front desk administrator or an intern (which are jobs I highly respect). This is not wrong because you have to take on every role when you start a business but I also wear the director or owner hat too.
TM: What are some of the challenges you have endured and how have you overcome these?
SH: One of the biggest challenges is getting people to trust that buying online is just as easy as buying in store. Online shopping is increasing in South Africa but when compared to other countries we're still far behind. I blame this mostly on cyber crimes. We are already a distrusting country because of the high crime levels so a lot of South Africans are struggling to embrace this business model.
TM: Why should anyone use your services or products?
SH: People should buy from Zenith-Tech because it's very convenient to shop online. You don't have travel anywhere to get what you want. The product comes to you. You just find it online and order it.
You also don't have limited time to shop. You can place your order at any time of the day or night and get it the next day or two.
Zenith-Tech goes above and beyond with assisting it's customers so if there is anything you don't understand or don't know how to do, you have assistance. We strive for professionalism and a good customer experience above anything else.
Another concern for people is their safety and payment security. Zenith-Tech uses PayFast as a payment gateway and this ensures that your transaction are safe and going somewhere genuine.
TM: Its quiet clear that you have broken ground and you are doing well. Where do you see yourself in the near future?
SH: I am waiting for online shopping to gain even more momentum. While this process takes place I want to build a name and brand that people can trust. I want Zenith-Tech to be a household name and a go-to for people's technology needs and desires.
TM: What advice would you best give to young entrepreneurs who like to venture into your line of work?
SH: Go for it! You'll figure everything out along the way. It's not always easy but perseverance is the mother of success. It's better to learn that business has a lot of challenges while you're young because you'll have more time to correct those mistakes and even more time to enjoy your successes. There's a time for everything, yours may be now or in the future but either way, just start.
TM: Do you think that South Africans have embraced technology based on the sales that you make?
SH: With regards to purchasing the latest technological gadgets and electronics, yes. A lot of people like to be trendy so they don't mind buying the latest smartphone etc.
From the standpoint of doing business online and buying online, we're getting there. There are still a lot of people who will phone me and ask for assistance with regard to checking out and making a purchase. As I said, online shopping is on the rise and eventually this will be as common knowledge like using social media.
TM: Which are some of your best products?
SH: So far it's gaming equipment and tablets.
TM: If it hadn't been Zenith-Tech, where could you have been right now?
SH: I have another online store that I started before Zenith-Tech, so I'd probably just be focusing on that. If you mean before either of them, I would probably still be unemployed or interning somewhere.
TM: How do you achieve work-life balance?
SH: I'm still working on this. There's a lot of work put into a business and it's easy to forget about resting. Sometimes I work all day and, other times, even into the early hours of the morning.
TM: What have you learned about leadership, entrepreneurship and mentoring others?
SH: Part of being a good leader is being a good team member or follower too. You have to know how to listen (to under) to others in order to grow. No man is an island.
Social Media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ZenithTechZA/
