ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH : MARCH

It is a great privilege to award our Local Entrepreneur of the month for March 2011 to Warren Lewis and Grant Nortier, owners of GBay!  GBay is a growing IT specialist company in the heart of Gordon’s Bay. 

Established in 2005 as a wireless internet service provider, GBay rapidly gained popularity in the community. In 2010 GBay merged with rabb IT, a computer sales and support company, and moved to their current location in the Old Cape Mall on the beach front of Gordon's Bay.

Their core product is the high speed wireless internet access service with a variety a data packages and equipment rental options, making GBay a very competative and affordable Hi-Speed Internet solution for the Helderberg area.

From their beach front shop they offer computer and peripheral retail sales, internet café and print, copy, fax or scan facilities. This is so convenient and  great for all of us to know in Gordons Bay! They also specialize in computer and network support and installations for home and business users, offering both InStore and OnSite support.

According to Warren and Grant, products soon to be released include Remote Desktop Support with SLA’s, Wireless HotSpots and VoIP (Internet Telephone Service).

''Visit us at the Old Cape Mall, 33 Beach Road to get personalized attention from our experienced IT technicians, we’ll guide you through your computer, IT or internet needs'' says Warren.

Please see their Website to support them on : www.gbay.co.za

or email them for any inquiries on info@gbay.co.za. Their contact number is  021 856 3941 (if calling from abroad please call 0027-21-856 3941)

On behalf of our community, we wish them continued success and growth in their Business and are thankful to the professional contribution they are making to Gordon's Bay.

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH : FEBRUARY

As Chairman of the Gordon's Bay Business Association I am proud to announce that our chosen Entrepreneur of the month for February 2011 is Okkie van der Merwe from Gordon's Bay Security.

Gordon’s Bay Security opened its doors under the leadership of Okkie van der Merwe on the first of August 2001, with a total of thirteen employees and two alarms to monitor. As they have entered their 10th year in the Helderberg area, they have become a force to be reckoned with. 

Their team of armed response officers are a formidable force, trained and equipped to attend any type of situation that presents itself to the fullest. They inspect the premises when alarm activation is received in their  high tech, fully equipped control room, and make sure that all is in order before leaving the premises. Should there be an incident, the SAPS will be contacted and together they will inspect the premises further.

Gordon's Bay Security offers our town an invaluable service and I feel we should definitely support them. Besides offerring Armed Response Service to our community they also cover the following areas :

1) Short Term Insurance (for your belongings and your property)

2) Wireless Internet Service Provider (Their aim is to supply internet and e-mail with the competitive prices to your doorstep)

3) Indoor shooting range facilities

4) Private Ambulance Services

In Okkie van der Merwe's words “People phone us when they are in need of medical assistance or if they need ambulance service, but we could never dispatch these because they are either privately owned or part of the state”, and it is because of this reason that we decided to purchase our own fully equipped, state of the art ambulance. This make us one of a very few companies with its very own ambulance service which is available to our clients at the press of a button. Highly trained and skilled paramedics are standing ready to provide you with the best medical assistance. This service is not only limited to our clients premises, but should anything happen to them within the Helderberg Basin, they will still have the service available to them.

Should you wish to contact Okkie, please do so on accounts@gbsec.co.za or please see their Website on www.gbsec.co.za Their Head Office is situated at 2 Link Road, Mansfield Industrial, Gordon's Bay. 

We wish them continued success in the service that they are offering our community in Gordon's Bay.

GREATNESS

Don't give up loving. Don't give up your goodness even if the people around you sting you. The greatness comes not when things are always going well for you. But the greatness comes when you're really tested, when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes... Because only if you've been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.

Psalm 25

God wants to show you the path that you need to take.
- He wants to point out the direction you should go.
- He wants to teach, lead and guide you.
- Ask Him to show you and He will direct your paths.

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH : JANUARY 2011

January certainly was a busy month for many of us and 2011 got going at a galloping pace! I am not sure if you agree but time is flying by! As you all already know, it is on my heart to seek out and to encourage all our local Entrepreneurs. This month, as Chairman of the Gordon's Bay Business Association, I am proud to announce to our chosen Entrepreneur of the month in Gordon's Bay for January is Chanel Miller, owner of Sapphire Dawn Jewelry.

Chanel Miller has been actively involved in the local community for the past 11 years. It has been on her heart to educate, empower and uplift previously disadvantaged young women in our local area and surrounds of Gordon's Bay.

Her company, Sapphire Dawn, uses Jewellery design and manufacturing as the vehicle to restore dignity and confidence to her employees who master skills and learn to actively contribute in the workplace. According to Chanel, her girls don't believe in handouts and want to earn a living in a fair and dignified way. Sapphire Dawn's motto is to teach a person to fish instead of handing out fish- with the hope that their lives are forever changed for the better.

In her words 'It is my passion to nurture my own team members at Sapphire Dawn Jewelry as well as seeking to encourage all entrepreneurs to become successful in their own fields. As a business mentor, I am very passionate to see successful development in all people striving to fulfill their purpose in life and honestly believe this is the answer to happiness'

Sapphire Dawn Jewelry are based in Gordon's Bay and are Jewellery Wholesalers who supply shops. Their products are beautiful and the quality is exceptional. The materials they use are a broad variety of Semi Precious Stones, Fresh Water Pearls and hand made glass beads. Please see their website on http://www.sapphiredawnjewelry.com and do not hesitate to contact them should you need gifts that are a true gift of giving as this is truly a worthy cause.

To close, Chanel shared some words of encourangment with us. She says, 'Life is an opportunity to fulfill our Purpose, master Skills and leave a Legacy that contributes positively to our World. This is our greatest challenge, to contribute in some way to making our community a better place for all of our people' We at the Gordon's Bay Business Association wish Chanel and her team at Sapphire Dawn Jewelry all the best and continued success.

SUCCESS POINTERS FOR OUR LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

As an Entrepreneur myself, and owner of Danmil Attorneys in Gordon's Bay.

I have often wondered what holds the keys to success for my fellow Entrepreneurs.

After much browsing I came across an interesting article from Nokia. I decided to

share it with you with the hope of encouraging you to grow in success with your own

businesses.

WE CAN LEARN FROM NOKIA

• “Do not underestimate your competitors,

• Understand the internal and external risk factors that may affect your business growth and survival;

• Understand market changes and dynamics;

• Ensure that you understand the requirements of your target market;

• Keep up with technology;

• Create a culture of continued improvement;

•  Approach innovation as an asset and apply the principles to all areas of your business;

• Properly segment your target market;

• Cheaper is not always a better alternative;

• Protect your brand perception and reputation;

• Involve your employees at all levels as part of your business approach to excellence; and

• Your past successes do not guarantee future success or growth.”

(Taken from an article by Stephen Elop)

Nokia started as a small business and today has grown to be a successful economic giant. We may not all want our businesses to grow to that size, but I think we can learn from them. It is my wish at Danmil Attorneys, in Gordon’s Bay that my fellow Entrepreneurs in Gordons Bay continue to expand and grow in success. I hope that I have shared something of value with each of you today.

DECEMBER ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH

One of my great privileges is to select one Entrepreneur each month for their outstanding work and contribution to our town, Gordon's Bay. This month I am so proud to announce that our chosen entrepreneurs for the month of December are André and Margot Paulsen owners of the BP Service Station.

They took over the BP Service Station in Gordon’s Bay in September 2002. It is situated on the fork as you drive into Gordon’s Bay by Beach Road and Faure Marine Drive. After chatting with them here is the story as quoted by Andre and Margot.

''Our motto is to always provide fast, friendly and excellent service and products. We are open 24/7 and do not have a key to the front door. Our main reason why we have this business, is to provide fast, friendly and efficient service to our customers. We aim for our customers to always have a pleasant shopping experience with us. Many customers become our friends and many we see more than once a day.

We often ask people why they are in business. Most of the times the reply is “to make money”. For us that is not so. If your main aim in business is to make money, it will always keep running away from you. Obviously you have to make a profit, but the main aim is to provide a service. If that service you provide is excellent, the money will come by itself.

We obviously sell fuel, oil, do emergency tyre repairs, have a car wash and sell gas, wood, charcoal and briquettes as well as bait. In the shop we sell electricity; cell phone air time. Our ice is the best price anywhere! From time to time we sell bread; milk at cost price (would like to do it the whole year and are busy with negotiations with BP Head office to be able to do that). Our shop has the basic emergency requirements like toothpaste and toothbrush (for those who do not want to drive home late at night), light bulbs, cereal, nappies, dog and cat food and all kinds of other interesting and essential items.

We have a street map in our shop and many people come to us for directions, whether to visit people and often for people doing deliveries. For tourists we also keep a good selection of maps.

We also have personal contact with our customers and often inquire if there are any specific needs and if possible, will order it in and keep it in our shop for them. When we are able to get stock at an excellent price, we supply these bargain priced items to our customers e.g. for the past few months we have been selling Bar Ones at a price you will not find anywhere else!

We bake all our pies, rolls, confectionery on the premises and they are always fresh. Please remember us for your orders as we also bake to order and have a standing order with the Rotary for croissants. We have the best croissants in town – made with real butter. On Friday’s we have “Friday is Pie Day” which has become extremely popular. Because we are open 24 hours, people can order from our bakery for say, 6am and we will bake it for them.

Every month we hand out a newsletter with some nice positive input. As one customer once phoned us and said that our account is the only one she looks forward to receiving as she cannot wait for the newsletter that comes with it!''

Andre and Margot also strive to give back to our community in Gordon's Bay. As education is important to them, Gordon’s Bay Primary school has been their main area who they sponsor. They had a project where they sponsored the school on a Rand to Rand basis for R100 000.00 where they were the first school in the Western Cape to get interactive white boards for their classrooms. Besides this, Andre and Margot also sponsored the spelling marathon and the BP Fun Walk which is held annually round about September/October each year and has been growing every year. Each participant receives a medal for completing the walk. Next year the marathon will be growing more as they would like to expand it to a whale walk as well.

André & Margot are involved with the Gordon’s Bay Business Association where we strive to upgrade our town to bring more visitors and therefore more business to our businesses and in the process more jobs will be created. Please remember to support this wonderful couple in our town, they can be contacted via e-mail bpgordonsbay@gbsec.co.za or per telephone 021 – 856 2813.

We are thankful to them for their contribution in Gordon's Bay and wish them all the success in their business for 2011.

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH : NOVEMBER

As Chairman of the Gordon's Bay Business Association, I am very proud to announce that our chosen Entrepreneur of the month is Lester Burrow! Lester is the owner of Indulec Electrical Contractors, Gordon's Bay.

Indulec Electrical Contractors service the electrical industry in all Electrical Construction as well as Maintenance (Industrial, Domestic and Commercial). They specialize in the Hospitality Industry as well as Issuing Certificates of Compliance and Repairs to Installations.

As stated by Lester 'We value our customers and strive to keep them happy at all times. We also go the extra mile to satisfy our customers. Our motto is 'First Time Right!'

Lester Burrow and his team offer his clients a 24 hour a day and 7 days a week service. They wish to concentrate and serve their fellow local customers as far as possible. 

Please contact them either by email on ljb@telkomsa.net 

or their contact telephone numbers are : Tel / Fax 021 8560724 Cell 0824248547 or 0721447445 They are in the process of setting up a new Website which will be available soon!

We wish Lester and his team all the abundant success with their excellent work! Please remember, it is in the good of our beautiful town, that we support our local Businesses. Together we can build a beautiful and successful Gordon's Bay!

Believing the Best always,

Danie Miller

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH : OCTOBER

As chairman of the Gordon's Bay Business Association, I have decided to select one outstanding Businessman or Business woman per month and promote their Business and work here on our Blog and Website linked to Danmil Attorneys. I am proud to announce that our chosen Entrepreneur for the month of October is Kevin Wearing, Principle of Leapfrog Real Estate in Gordon's Bay.

Kevin Wearing -Principle of Leapfrog Gordon's Bay

Leapfrog Gordon's Bay was awarded the award for the “Leapfrog Top Country Franchise of the Year”- second year running. “This is an excellent achievement for a Franchise operating in a small coastal town and a testimony to the dedication and professionalism of the Gordon’s Bay office” says Bruce Swain the Managing Director of Leapfrog Property Group. “It is particularly noteworthy when one considers that they are competing with more than 50 Leapfrog franchises country wide”.

Leapfrog Gordon's Bay services all the residential suburbs in and around Gordon's Bay including Suikerbossie, Mountainside Estate and sought after homes on the slopes of the Hottentots Holland Mountains as well as more affordable homes.

“Once again this has been a phenomenal year irrespective of the tough economic climate and Leapfrog Gordon’s Bay is achieving ongoing record sales.  We believe that while holding the highest professional and ethical standards, we are also dedicated to the community by providing exceptional service and to prove worthy of our clients trust and friendship”, says Kevin Wearing, Principal of Leapfrog in Gordon’s Bay.

.

The Leapfrog Gordon's Bay Team

Leapfrog is located at 8 Watt Street, Gordon' Bay and their contact number is 021-856 1535. Please also see their Website on :  
http://www.leapfrog.co.za/property/gordons-bay

Remember, if we all make a concerted effort to support our local Entrepreneurs it will directly uplift and benefit our geographical area. 'Support Local' and Gordon's Bay! 

Believing the Best with you, 

Danie

GORDONS BAY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION LAUNCHED ON FACEBOOK!

Hi Friends,

It is my privilege to announce that we have launched our Business Networking Page on Facebook! 

As of September 2010, Facebook surpassed Google in regards to the amount of time users spent on their site. Facebook states that users spend over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook. With 500 million active users worldwide on Facebook, its makes for an excellent marketing platform for all Business owners. 

According to stats taken in June 2010 the number of users on Facebook in South Africa were 2 833 860 and climbing quickly!

The reasoning behind using Facebook for marketing or awareness is basically to increase search engine optimisation on the internet. Putting that in simple English : 'Facebook is a busy river! So if we put our Gordon's Bay Business Association 'island' in the middle of a busy river with lots of traffic, we are bound to get good exposure!' 

We already have 22 fans/supporters on our GBBA Facebook Business Page. These are people who are interested in getting our Gordon's Bay Business Association news or connecting and networking with us. I am hoping this will grow steadily, already with 22 fans in such a short time, its so great to see support coming our way already!

Please click here to see our new Facebook Business Page :

http://companies.to/gordonsbaybusinessassociation/

Also please dont forget to simply click on LIKE once you are in, as that will enable you to be a member on our Page.

Believing the best in you, together for Gordons Bay!

Danie Miller

BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH

As chairman of the Gordon's Bay Business Association, I have decided to select one outstanding Businessman or Business woman per month and promote their Business and work here on our Blog and Website linked to Danmil Attorneys.

Gordon's Bay is rich in entrepreneurs and is an area where many courageous men and woman have had to the insight and courage to open their own businesses. It is an honour to support my fellow Entrepreneurs. Together we can share skills, learn from each other, and most importantly make a concise effort to support each other's Business's.

Our Choice for Entrepreneur of the month is Peter Venter who, alongside his wife, Maria is the the owner of Peter Venter Estates. This family-owned real estate business is based in Gordon's Bay, just outside Cape Town, South Africa. Their Business was founded in 1998 and they specialise in marketing an extensive portfolio of fine houses and apartments on the Gordon's Bay beach front, surrounds and the mountainside. Their target market is investors for fine homes, for those who wish to re-locate to Gordon's Bay either on a permanent basis, for retirement or for a deserved breakaway to invigorate body and soul

To contact them please see their website on http://www.peterventer.com. Their offices are situated on the beach front of Gordon's Bay at The Anchorage,shop 1, 69 Beach Road, Gordon's Bay.

It is my vision for all local Business Owners to make an active effort to support each other's businesses. This is the way forward for us to grow our business's with success! Statistics have shown that by supporting local business there is an inward flow of currency/capital to that area. Hence, the area benefits financially as money flows within and to that area. The opposite happens when spending or searching for products and services OUTSIDE of the local business area.

If we all make a concerted effort to support our local Entrepreneurs it will directly uplift and benefit our geographical area. 'Support Local' and Gordon's Bay and its people will reap the rewards. Lets pull together for the good of our beautiful town.

Be alive !

Robin Dallas

"It is so easy to waste our lives, our days, our hours, and our minutes. It is so easy to take for granted the colour of our kids' eyes, the way the melody in a symphony rises and falls and disappears and rises again. It is so easy to exist instead of to live.

So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream.  Discover."

South African Perspective

SOUTH AFRICA : PERSPECTIVE

I am aware of the problems we have in South Africa, but am of the opinion that the Zuma government is doing reasonably well.  Lots of mistakes have been made and lots are still being made, but matters are slowly improving, well that is my opinion, but the facts are :

1.      We hosted a successful World Cup Soccer Tournament and (although still far too high), crime is slowly decreasing in spite of serious problems with our Police, Courts (Justice System) and prisons.

2.       Our growth rate in the last quarter was 4%

3.       Our inflation rate was the lowest for a long time, about 3.6%

4.       Our interest rate is the lowest it has been for 31 years. 7.5%

5.       Plan are afoot for a major upgrade of our railway system, amongst others a fast speed rail service between Johannesburg and Durban and Johannesburg and Cape Town

6.       Plans are afoot for 6 nuclear power stations

7.       Overseas investors obviously have confidence in South Africa!

8.       The Rand was R6.95 to the US $ yesterday which is very good.

9.       Gold was over R1 300 per ounce

10. Wal-mart is negotiating the takeover of SA Massmart who owns among others Game, Dions, Macro and Builder’s Warehouse for about R30 billion

11.   HSBC is negotiating to take over Nedbank SA for also about R30 billion

I believe the future in spite of all the present problems, is bright and I have faith in our beautiful country, South Africa.

Danie Miller - 30^th September 2010

GORDON'S BAY BUSINESS FORUM

The above Association was formed on 10^th July 2010 and Danie Miller was elected as chairperson. We have a general meeting for members and interested parties at 8.00 at Talla’s Restaurant on the first Thursday of every month.

I quote from our constitution: “ The purpose of the Forum shall be to provide business people, inter alia, a platform to: exchange ideas; to promote and improve business in the Gordon’s Bay area; to formulate policy; to consult with the authorities; not only to preserve, but also to improve the village atmosphere; and generally to make Gordon’s Bay a more attractive place in which to live and to do business”

BUSINESS ASSOCIATION LAUNCHED in Gordons Bay

The above Business Association was formed on 10th July 2010 and Danie Miller of Danmil Attorney's was elected as Chairperson. We have a general meeting for members and interested parties at 8.00am at Talla’s Restaurant, Gordons Bay on the first Thursday of every month.

I quote from our Business Constitution: “ The purpose of the Forum shall be to provide Business people, inter alia, a platform to: Exchange Business Ideas; to Promote and Improve Business in the Gordon’s Bay area; to Formulate Policy; to Consult with the Authorities; not only to Preserve, but also to improve the Gordons Bay Village atmosphere; and generally to make Gordon’s Bay a more attractive place in which to live and to do Business”

Our mission is to provide a platform to share Business Resources and to Network with fellow Business Owners. Together, the Gordons Bay Business Association aims to take the time to build valuable Business relationships by connecting with fellow Business Owners. We hope to develop a community of Business Professionals committed to supporting each others’ success.

Please do not hesitate to contact, Danie at Danmil Attorney's for additional information. Together we hope to grow our Business's with Success!