Understanding the power of scalable business is critical for entrepreneurs who are looking to grow successful enterprises of the future. South African entrepreneur Baitse Phejane, founder of Akili Communications, is looking to provide help and guidance in this regard, and her company is poised to develop entrepreneurs who have a passion for what they do, but need assistance in scaling those ideas.
LoA spoke to Baitse Phejane to find out more about this valued enterprise in the SME marketplace.
What does your company do?
Akili Communications Pty Ltd is a full service communications and enterprise development company offering high-end solutions to the SME market. We screen and segment SMEs and assist them to gain access to opportunities and markets.
"Akili Communications Pty Ltd is a full service communications and enterprise development company offering high-end solutions to the SME market."
What inspired you to start your company?
The passion I have for people and the fact that I love solving problems and developing entrepreneurs.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Because at Akili Communications we are innovative; we help entrepreneurs tap into their passions and develop them into scalable businesses.
"At Akili Communications we are innovative; we help entrepreneurs tap into their passions and develop them into scalable businesses."
Tell us a little about your team
Currently I am working alone, but am in the process of recruiting graduates by June of this year.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
When I was 10 years old my parents started a small store at home and I used to assist them. Fast track to 2010 and I was appointed as a Business Analyst for Absa Private Bank and in the same year I registered a career advice business. I then resigned in 2012 to continue with my own business - I ran it for 1 more year and then realized that I didn't have enough skills to run a business. I did research for a year learning new skills and identifying my passion, and then aligning it to the upcoming industries - hence today I’m in enterprise development. I started mentoring entrepreneurs in 2014 and haven’t looked back since - because I found my passion.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To launch an SME insurance programme in the next year.
"I started mentoring entrepreneurs in 2014 and haven’t looked back since - because I found my passion."
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The fact that I am doing what I love daily.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Do what you are good at and passionate about; understand the value you want to add; start small and network.
Contact or follow Akili Communications
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | EMAIL baitse@akilicommunications.co.za
Why LoA loves it….
At LoA, we love those women entrepreneurs who turn a real passion into a business idea, and then build that idea into a successful enterprise. In the case of Baitse Phejane, she took her passion for mentoring and assisting other entrepreneurs on their business journeys and found a niche in the marketplace to help them to scale. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and CEO of Lionesses of Africa