Swaziland Host South Africa

South Africa will contest their first match since crashing out of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations when they travel to the Somhlolo National Stadium to face Swaziland on Wednesday.

Bafana Bafana produced a disastrous display in this year's Equatorial Guinea showpiece as they finished rock bottom of Group C after taking just one point from their three matches to exit at the first hurdle.

Head coach Shakes Mashaba will now begin his rebuilding process and has already named his 30-man squad, although that number has been whittled down to 26 due to various withdrawals.

Captain Dean Furman misses out at the request of his club, Doncaster Rovers, May Mahlangu and Anele Ngcongca are nursing a fractured foot and Achilles tendon problem respectively, and Kaizer Chiefs defender Erick Mathoho is unavailable due to family commitments.

Mashaba, though, has already confirmed he will not call up any replacements for the quartet, with the tactician keen to give other players a chance to prove their worth.

Meanwhile, overseas-based trio Kamohelo Mokotjo, Thulani Serero and Lebogang Phiri have already linked up with the rest of their Bafana teammates.

There could also be a return to action for Itumeleng Khune, with the Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper having received his first call-up to the national team since January last year.

The Difference Between Saving And Investing

By Guest Writer

This post was inspired by recent conversations with clients who came to me for financial advice. Most of them used ‘saving’ and ‘investing’ interchangeably. After these conversations I found myself thinking about one of my favourite chapters in Alice in Wonderland, “A Mad Tea Party” and the part that always makes me laugh when I read it despite having read the book countless times.



The Hatter opened his eyes very wide on hearing this; but all he SAID was, `Why is a raven like a writing-desk?’

`Come, we shall have some fun now!’ thought Alice. `I’m glad they’ve begun asking riddles.–I believe I can guess that,’ she added aloud.

`Do you mean that you think you can find out the answer to it?’ said the March Hare.

`Exactly so,’ said Alice.

`Then you should say what you mean,’ the March Hare went on.

`I do,’ Alice hastily replied; `at least–at least I mean what I say–that’s the same thing, you know.’

`Not the same thing a bit!’ said the Hatter. `You might just as well say that “I see what I eat” is the same thing as “I eat what I see”!’

`You might just as well say,’ added the March Hare, `that “I like what I get” is the same thing as “I get what I like”!’

`You might just as well say,’ added the Dormouse, who seemed to be talking in his sleep, `that “I breathe when I sleep” is the same thing as “I sleep when I breathe”!’

As the clients used saving and investing interchangeably, I was tempted to be like the March Hare and tell the clients that “you should say what you mean” since there is a difference between the two concepts.



Though they are often used interchangeably, saving and investing are not synonymous. As a financial planner, despite clients using saving and investing as synonyms, I understood the clients’ needs and could help them, so no harm resulted from them saying “saving” when they meant “investing” and vice versa . However, for consumers managing their money on a DIY basis, financial behaviour stemming from this can significantly affect their financial goals.



In Pragmatic Capitalism: What Every Investor Needs to Know about Money and Finance, Cullen Roche explains the difference between saving and investing in simple terms.

Income can only be consumed, saved or invested. The most obvious use of income is consumption, the purchase of goods and services to be owned, used up or enjoyed. The second use is saving. Saving is setting money set aside for future requirements and the money must be available at the time when needed. The third use is investing. Investing is using money to buys assets with the expectation that they will rise in value so that a profit is achieved.



From these definitions, it is clear that there is an important distinction between “saving” and investing.” The primary goal of saving money is preservation rather than growth. However, when investing, the primary goal is growing the money being spent on investments. Financial behaviour such as “saving” money through buying shares or “investing” for a child’s education through keeping money in a bank account has had disastrous consequences for some consumers that I have come across. Here are a few financial goals that I have used to further clarify the differences between these two distinct but related concepts: saving and investing.



Goal Situation and time period Saving or Investing?
Buying a new car Your old car is ready to give up the ghost – you need to raise the deposit to buy another car within a year. Saving
Put down a 10% deposit on a house In 3 years, you want to stop renting and buy your own house Saving
Pay for your child’s university education Your child is starting grade 1 so you have 12 years to achieve this goal Investing
Going on an overseas holiday In 2 years, you want to go on an overseas holiday for the first time Saving
Retire comfortably You are 25 and would like to retire at 65  – 40 years in the future Investing

Big Brother Mzansi Has Only Just Begun

56 days. 44 cameras. Live 24/7. Big Brother Mzansi: Double Trouble stormed into action on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) last night (Sunday, 22 March). And from the get go, the show’s host Lungile Radu kept the show moving as highlight followed highlight!



First up was a look at the brand new house and this year Biggie spared no expense in creating a luxe, spacious home for the housemates. With a large lounge, garden, deck, Jacuzzi, three bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, store room and of course, a cosy diary room, the Big Brother house this year also includes two new spaces – a large walk-in closet (a fashionista’s dream!) and a mysterious glass booth, whose reason for existing has yet to be revealed. Without a doubt though, whatever Biggie has planned, both spaces seem destined to become highly watched areas this season.



Then, after DJ Merlon performed his hit song Koze Kuze with Mondli, it was time for Lungsta to introduce two of Biggie’s new friends Dineo Ranaka and Kuli Roberts as they settled in to what they affectionately termed, ‘the gossip corner’! The duo, looking gorgeous as ever, were ready and primed to give their witty, sometimes ‘tongue in cheek’ comments on the housemates as they made their way into the house.



And while they settled into their own dedicated skybox, high above the stage, Lungile took audiences for a quick trip down memory lane as Biggie paid tribute to the first season of Big Brother Mzansi with a series of clips that will no doubt bring back nostalgic memories for fans of the show. Those fans would have also been delighted to see last year’s winner Mandla and his girlfriend Lexi in the studio audience, a sign that their romance which began in the house last year is still going strong.



Then it was time for the big reveal and Lungile wasted no time in introducing Khali and Bongi, a brand new couple who are putting their recently found love to the test in the house. Rocking a short red dress with lace detail, Khali put their actions into words saying, “I think every couple, when they hit 3 months, should join a reality show!” Bongi was in full agreement and believes that, “if we survive Big Brother, then we’re in it for the long run.” Back in the skybox, Kuli didn’t hesitate to predict the future of Khali and Bongi’s relationship. Her words in a nutshell…they won’t stay together, not at all! Is she right? Only time will tell so keep watching to see if this couple will still be together in a month.



Entering the house, the first pair to do so, Khali and Bongi clearly loved the look of the space and shared a quick kiss as they tried to familiarize themselves with their surroundings.



Back on stage and Lungile was introducing close cousins Bexx and Soxx. In a hot pink ensemble, Bexx revealed that her ‘show name’ is a nickname she’s earned because she is a huge fan of soccer superstar David Beckham. Meanwhile Soxx, clad in red shirt and brown pants, made it very clear to all watching – the cousins, who says they are as close as brother and sister, are just going to be themselves in the game.  Back in the skybox, armed with her ipad, Dineo reminded fans to keep engaged with the show on Twitter and read out a few tweets from audiences watching at home. Meanwhile Kuli explained that Soxx, who has burns on his face, got these from a falling geyser when he was much younger.



As Bexx and Soxx headed off-stage, a new couple made their entrance. Ex-lovers Adams and Tembi dated for two years, and have been broken up for 5. But despite the fact that they couldn’t quite define their relationship during their taped insert, on stage Adams (looking sharp in a black suit) assured Lungile that they were just friends and are entering the house just as friends. Dressed in a flowing, full-length, strapless evening gown, Tembi said that the pair’s strategy was to win as many challenges as possible. Commenting on Adams and Tembi, Dineo revealed that Tembi is currently in the process of going through a divorce while Kuli told the story of how Tembi and Adams ran into each other at Big Brother auditions and then decided to audition together!



Having confirmed to audiences at the start of the show that there was a brother/sister pair going into the house, Lungile then called Cape Town’s Gino and Tiffini into the spotlight. With Tiffini clearly the more talkative of the two, she revealed that the siblings fight a lot and are hoping that the show might bring them closer together. Gino was more definitive saying, “What happens, we ARE going to be closer.” Ironically Gino is Tiffini’s older brother meaning that there is now a big brother in Big Brother! With viewers now expecting the inside story from Kuli and Dineo, they didn’t disappoint and Kuli revealed that Gino and Tiffini’s complicated relationship stems from the fact that Tiffini felt Gino wasn’t focussed enough in life and got him kicked out of their mom’s home. That’s some family drama for sure!



Last up on stage were housemates Ace and Ntombi, a Jozi couple who have been together for years and have a child together. In awe of the fact that they were on stage with Lungile, the star struck couple were super high-energy and just could not contain their joy. Luckily enough, the insert screened just before their appearance gave viewers some insight into their relationship with Ntombi saying that she and Ace were going to show people that real love does exist. As they made their way off stage as excitedly as they had entered it, Kuli mischievously observed that she wasn’t quite sure why they were so happy given that after five years they had still not gotten married!



With ten Housemates in the house, it was Biggie’s turn to prove why he’s the master of the game. After welcoming the housemates into the show he revealed that they had just 30 minutes before they would have to starting nominating each other for eviction. Judging by the shock on some of the housemates faces they certainly did not see that coming.



On stage a few minutes later, Lungile advised audiences that the nominations this week were fake and that Biggie was in fact pranking the housemates…in typical Biggie style! Also in true Biggie fashion, the man in charge showed viewers a brief teaser of the housemates who will enter the house during tonight’s (23 March) second show launch and it looks like some interesting people will make their way into the game tomorrow as well!



So make sure you watch the second launch for Big Brother Mzansi: Double Trouble tonight at 19:30, exclusive to Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) to see who the next group of housemates is. Producers are promising a big twist tomorrow, it’s looking like another big night ahead!



Don’t forget to tune in Big Brother Mzansi: Double Trouble 24/7 live screening on DStv channels 197 and 198.  For more info, check out www.mzansimagic.tv/bigbrother. The show is produced for Mzansi Magic by Endemol SA and prize money this year is R 2 million.



Fan can vote for their favourite Housemates to remain in the game AND send messages directly to the show’s live TV feed, PLUS speak their minds on any of the show’s highly active social media platforms:
WeChat:ID: BigBrotherMzansi
Twitter: @BBMzansi and #BBMzansi
Facebook: Big Brother Mzansi
Instagram: @BigBroMzansi

UK Inject R700 Million Into SA Science

Scientists from the United Kingdom (UK) and South Africa are making leaps in biotechnology, lasers and astronomy with a cash injection of R700 million from the UK government, said South African Department of Science and Technology (DST) deputy director of research development and support Dr Thomas Auf der Heyde. He was speaking at at the official opening of Scifest Africa in Grahamstown on Friday night.

This boost will ensure the future of South African science and innovation and speed up developments in respective fields.

Twenty years ago, SA and the UK signed a bilateral agreement on science and technology, and reiterated the deal mid june 2014 with the launch of the UK-South Africa Newton Fund worth R700-million over the next five years.

Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor was unable to attend the event, but was represented by Auf der Heyde who read his speech to the crowd, “Dinaledi schools’ conditional grant has been replaced in the 2015 budget with a more comprehensive programme of support to schools to improve teaching and learning outcomes in maths, science and technology”.

ICC Cricket World Cup: Massive Clash In Store As Black Caps And Proteas Collide In Semi's

Martin Guptill led New Zealand to a glorious victory against West Indies while blasting highest ever score of 237 in the World Cup history. The Black Caps plundered 393 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allocated 50 overs and bowled out the Windies at 250 with 19.3 overs to spare. It was another one sided game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Quarter-Finals and will be remembered by a graceful knock of Guptill. Earlier, South Africa became the first team to qualify for the Semi-Finals when they crushed Sri Lanka by nine wickets. The Islanders were sent back to the pavilion for 133 mere runs in 37.2 overs and the Proteas reached the target by smashing 1-134 with 32 overs still available. The Kiwis will take over the Proteas in the first Semi-Final and will anticipate continuing with their current form while the latter will go all out for the victory.

Martin Guptill – Highest ever runs in the World Cup history.

Players to watch

Martin Guptill hammered unbeaten 237 off just 163 deliveries comprising 11 mighty sixes and 24 sweetly timed fours. The home side feels luxury while enjoying the services of the in-form batsmen, Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi. Corey Anderson is their supreme all-rounder while Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Daniel Vettori and Adam Milne are lethal bowlers of the tournament.

Quinton de Kock finally came back to his own and stood firm at his end at 78 against Sri Lanka. Their strong batting line-up is being looked after by Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Rilee Rossouw and David Miller whereas Jean-Paul Duminy has always proved his worth as an all-rounder. Imran Tahir has gathered most wickets as a spinner along with Daniel Vettori since both of them have grabbed 15 scalps each. Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel are compatible bowlers and can provide best results on their day.

The Pitch

The strip proved more beneficial for the batsmen in the 39th match of the World Cup that was played between India and Zimbabwe.

Teams

New Zealand –  (From) Brendon McCullum (C), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Luke Ronchi, Corey Anderson, Daniel Vettori, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

South Africa – AB de Villiers (C), Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Jean-Paul Duminy, Kyle Abbott, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel.

Johannesburg's First Entirely Eco-Friendly Courier Service Is Saving The Environment

With the City of Johannesburg’s plans to reduce traffic congestion in Sandton still a work in progress, businessman David Shmukler has found the perfect way to make small parcel and document delivery in this business district faster and more efficient.

Sandton is where Shmukler himself lives and works, and he has experienced firsthand the frustration of having to battle the traffic to collect something, or having to wait for company drivers to deliver packages.

Having travelled overseas and seen how corporates in big cities such as New York, London and Paris use bicycle messengers to deliver parcels and documents, Shmukler realised this would be a great idea for South Africa.

After toying with the idea for some time and working out the intricacies of the business, Shmukler opened his first bicycle courier service – Dash Couriers – last year, operating in a 7km radius of central Sandton.

Not only does his business save his clients time, it’s also environmentally friendly.

I had to convince them that I had no intention of replacing their drivers, and that what I was offering was an efficient service, which is not only convenient, but also saves them time

It’s a great idea all round, but convincing clients who already have their own drivers to use his service was difficult.

“I had to convince them that I had no intention of replacing their drivers, and that what I was offering was an efficient service, which is not only convenient, but also saves them time. They could receive their packages in under three hours,” Shmukler explains.

He adds that his bicycle couriers will never replace drivers, as Dash only operates within 7km of Sandton.

“My guys cannot go to Fourways or Edenvale, so companies still need their drivers to go to those places,” he says.

While many of the businesses Shmukler approached were not opposed to the idea, convincing them to make the move from traditional courier services was tough, as was getting them to see that paying to save time would be worth every cent.


Today an increasing number of corporates are using Dash Couriers. Clients pay R150 per delivery and the company makes about five to 10 deliveries a day. RBM Private Bank, Investec and Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Attorneys are among Dash’s biggest clients.

Shmukler started his career in advertising, but after seven years he decided to open his own company. He has since owned several companies, some of which failed, while others succeeded.

Besides Dash Couriers he also runs a consulting firm, advising small business owners on how to grow their businesses.

Having experienced both failure and success Shmukler says that as an entrepreneur you are bound to make mistakes when you start a new business. He offers the following tips that will go a long way towards making sure your venture succeeds.

Shmukler’s tips for entrepreneurs starting a new business:

You have to love the idea.
Ask yourself: Is the idea going to work? Are you offering anything unique or different in the market?
Find out if the business will make money.
Know who is going to drive the business. “Some people have good idea, but they are terrible at selling the product and at leadership. For example I know that I am good at running a business, but I am not particularly good at finances, at tasks such as managing financial documents, so I would get someone else to do that
Shmukler is hoping to expand his eco-friendly courier service to other big SA cities once it is has been well established in Johannesburg.

15 Amazing Things You Didnt Know Toothpaste Could Do

Toothpaste contains many useful ingredients that can be soothing and healing to the skin. For this reason, you’ll be able to use toothpaste to help you with the following issues:


1. Pimples. Reduce redness and the size of your pimples with a dab of toothpaste. Let it sit overnight, then rinse away in the morning for a noticeable difference.
2. Brittle fingernails. Since our nails are made of the same enamel as teeth, toothpaste can do a lot to help them. Simply give your nails a good scrub with some toothpaste for cleaner, shinier, stronger nails. You’ll also get that dirt out from underneath them in no time!

3. Fly-away hair. A gel toothpaste is largely made with the same ingredients as basic hair gels, so you’ll be able to substitute easily here. Just use a little dab and apply like a hair gel when needed.

4. Bites, sores, and blisters. Apply toothpaste to areas of skin irritation to reduce itching, swelling, and irritation. Toothpaste will dry them up quickly and help them heal faster.

5. Burns. For minor burns with no open sores, a quick toothpaste application can give you instant relief. The cooling properties get to work right away, relieving that painful sting. In the long-term, toothpaste will keep the burn from becoming a painful, oozing blister.

6. Bruises. For large bruises that take forever to fade, use a little toothpaste and a wide-tooth comb. Apply the toothpaste and gently comb the bruise in one direction to break up the blood clotting beneath the skin. Toothpaste helps with circulation and fights off the inflammation.

7. Jewelry cleaner. Before you pay for someone else to clean it, rub toothpaste onto your silver jewelry and leave it overnight, the wipe it clean with a soft cloth. Give a light scrubbing to your diamonds to see them sparkle again, just be sure to rinse thoroughly. Avoid using toothpaste on pearls.

8. Show care. Scuffed or dirty shoes can look new again with a little toothpaste. Apply it directly to the dull, dirty, or scuffed parts of the shoe, scrub with a brush, and wipe them clean. Ta-da!

9. Clothing stains. Tough stains will disappear with a little toothpaste and some brisk scrubbing. Squeeze it right on the stain and rub until it disappears, then wash as normal. If using whitening toothpaste, be advised that this can have a bleaching effect on some colors and fabrics.

10. Computer cleaner. Scrub away fingerprints from your keyboard with a white, baking soda-based toothpaste. Follow up with a damp cloth and your keys are good as new!

11. Iron cleaner. Take away the “crusties” from the bottom of your clothes iron with a quick toothpaste rinse. Just be sure to remove all the toothpaste before you start ironing again.

12. Baby bottles. To freshen up baby bottles and remove that sour-milk smell, put some toothpaste on your bottle scrubber and give them a quick wash. Always rinse them very well afterwards.

13. Piano keys. Like computer keys, piano keys get grubby with repeated use from the dirt, oil, and grime on our fingertips. Use a damp cloth and some toothpaste to rub down the keys, then wipe them clean with a dry cloth.

14. Crayon stains. Undo your kids’ damage to the walls with a damp cloth and some toothpaste. Rub it in gentle circles and watch the crayon fade away.

15. Odor removal. After cooking with “stinky” foods in the kitchen (fish, garlic, onions, etc.), getting the smell out of the skin is a challenge. Wash your hands thoroughly with water and toothpaste for a quick and easy remedy.

The South African Film & Television Awards – SAFTA’s Winners

Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg played host to a night of glamour and celebration on Friday and Sunday night for the annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs).

The winner of the Best Presenter category was hotly contested because it was the first time it had been added to the list of categories and the winner was based on public vote.

Katlego Maboe from Expresso scooped the coveted award from the likes of Bonang Matheba and Lungile Radu.

Brenda Ngxoli proved her prowess by winning two awards for her supporting roles in different genres – drama and comedy.

All the people who were nominated were firm favourites but there could only be one victor. If you missed out on who that was, here is a comprehensive list of the winners.

Best Actor in a Lead Role (TV comedy): Thomas Gumede as Zanele in Single Guys

Best Supporting Actress (TV comedy and TV drama): Brenda Ngxoli as Pinky in Ses’Top La and as Gladys in Rockville

Best Actress in a Lead Role (TV drama): Nthati Moshesh as Dibueng Makwarela in Thola

Best Actor in Lead Role (TV Soap): Jamie Bartlett as David Genaro in Rhythm City

Best Actress in a Lead Role (TV Soap): Masasa Mbangeni as Thembeka Shezi in Scandal

Best TV Soap: Isibaya

Cape Town Becomes New SA Home Of World Sevens Series Rugby

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) announced on Friday that the SA leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series would be moving to Cape Town for four years from December.
The Cape Town Sevens will join a host of new and iconic venues on the Series circuit – which has already added Sydney and Vancouver to its schedule – with the full line-up of host cities and dates to be confirmed by World Rugby (formerly the IRB) in due course.
The Cape Town Sevens will be played at the Cape Town Stadium following an agreement between SARU and the City Council. The Western Province Rugby Union was kept informed of the discussions by SARU and has pledged their support.
“World Rugby wanted global iconic destinations to showcase the new Olympic sport of Rugby Sevens and a world-class stadium, in a world-class city in the shadow of a World Heritage site in Table Mountain provides exactly that,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SARU.
“We enjoyed our stay in George and more recently in Port Elizabeth where we were able to grow the event with the help of the Municipality and the support of the Eastern Province Rugby Union and Eastern Cape fans and we thank them for that. But as the World Sevens Series has grown – and with it the requirements and the expectations – so we needed to go to the next level and Cape Town allows us to do that.
“Cape Town is sports-mad and their crowds frequently top the attendance charts in SA and it is a rugby city. The Fan Walk to the stadium and the proximity of entertainment areas such as the V&A Waterfront are an added bonus and will capture and amplify the unique vibe of Sevens Rugby. It also has the added advantage from World Rugby’s perspective of numerous direct international flights and significant hotel capacity, which will ease some of the logistical issues.”
World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "With excitement increasing ahead of Rio 2016, the World Rugby Sevens Series is going from strength to strength, proving a hit with fans, broadcasters and sponsors around the globe with its winning blend of compelling and competitive action, global destinations and festival atmosphere.
“The South Africa Sevens has been at the heart of the success story and we are delighted to be extending our partnership with SARU as a Series host. We have enjoyed 13 successful years at Port Elizabeth (four) and George (nine) and the move to Cape Town reflects the ever-increasing interest and success of Sevens in South Africa.
“Cape Town is one of the world’s iconic cities – a major tourism and sporting destination that has proven to be an exceptional and warm host. Its inclusion within a stellar World Rugby Sevens Series schedule is exciting for fans around the world.
"I am confident that the South Africa Sevens in Cape Town will inspire new audiences and participants and contribute to the continued strong growth of rugby in South Africa and around the world.
“The confirmation of Cape Town as World Rugby’s preferred destination was completed following SARU’s entering into an arrangement with the City of Cape Town over the use of the Cape Town Stadium as the home of SA Sevens,” said Lapasset.

“We are very excited that, as from December, Cape Town will be hosting the South African leg of the World Sevens Series for the next four years. Sporting events play a major role in our vision of becoming the events capital of Africa,” said the Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille.

“We are therefore especially honoured to be the new hosts of this event, and I would like to thank the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and World Rugby for giving us this opportunity.”

The Executive Mayor added: “The Cape Town Stadium has become a beacon of inclusivity within our city, and it is only fitting that this iconic venue play host to an event that unites people from across the world through their love of sport. Now, people will be coming to the Cape Town Stadium to share in their love for rugby as well.”

The Blitzboks and 15 other international teams will contest the SA tournament, whose title has been won by South Africa in the past two seasons.

December’s tournament in Port Elizabeth attracted a crowd of 63 000 over the two days of competition with that figure expected to be topped at the 55 000-capacity Cape Town stadium.
South Africa lead the current standings on the World Series with 93 points from New Zealand (88) and Fiji (86). The next tournament kicks off a week today in Hong Kong.
Fans can follow all the news on the Cape Town Sevens and get the latest news on ticket sales by following @SouthAfrica7s or by going to www.sarugby.co.za

Issued by SARU Corporate Affairs

Tips To Turn Your Unlikely Idea Into A Successful Business

A couple of entrepreneurs in London came up with a stupid idea: a café entirely dedicated to breakfast cereal.

Pretty silly, right? Except that this spot has become so successful since its December opening that a second site is planned in later this year.

Gary and his brother Alan, both originally from Belfast, say the idea initially came to them when they were hungover one day and really craving cereal. “We thought long and hard about every detail.

We’re big fans of cereal but knew that it needed to be more than just a café that sold cereal to succeed. It needed to be a strong, recognisable brand where the décor, music and ambience all contributed to the experience.”

Here are a few tips from Gary on how they made their start-up work:

1. Make Sure You’ve Got Related Skills

There are always ways to get into a new market where you may not have prior experience. It’s definitely easier to do so in a sector related to knowledge you’ve already got.

Otherwise, partner with someone who does. “Our combined backgrounds — retail and hospitality — meant that we really knew what a customer would expect and want when stepping through the doors.”

 2. Research Your Market

“First it was research, research, research — it was the most important thing. We really needed to understand the area and our market.

So we sat across from local coffee shops and watched how many people were going in and out on a daily basis — it was insane how many there were!

Why couldn’t we catch the overspill albeit with something different?”

3. Make A Business Plan

“Then we worked out our figures and started pulling a business plan together. I then went to the East London Small Business Centre and enrolled on a four-day course.

Reassuringly, I already knew most of the stuff they were teaching us, but it did give me the motivation and confidence to get the ball rolling.

I think it’s a wise move for anyone looking to start up a business.”

4. Location, Location, Location

“Finding the location was one of the most difficult things. As soon as landlords found out we were a start-up the deposit they needed would go up from three months to six.

Ironically, it’s when you are a start-up that you don’t have that kind of money to put down straight away.

It took about six months to find the right site in Hackney — I don’t know whether it was luck or it was meant to be!”

5. Maintain Self-Confidence

“The biggest mistake we made was going to the bank first. They told me I didn’t have enough experience in hospitality — even though I’ve got 10 years — and it dented my confidence.

Similarly, we had business advisors throughout the process and some told us we should be doing sandwiches if we were planning to open at lunchtime.

You don’t go to a sushi place and expect burgers — so we didn’t see why it should be any different for our cereal café.

There are so many different combinations of cereal, milk and toppings to enjoy that we’ve got a strong enough offering to be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner without adding anything else. Offering a strong enough variety to make the model profitable, too.”

6. Don’t Take No For An Answer

“We knew our concept was a good one from the beginning so we ploughed on regardless and are pleased we did. That’s important — go with your gut instinct no matter what people say. If your idea is somewhere you would want to go, then chances are others will, too.”