From studying sound and lighting technology to wedding planning and flower arranging, Bennie Pieterse, who has always had a passion for textiles, is now thriving on running his own business, Upholstery Etc.
Enjoying the finer things life has to offer, Pieterse took the proverbial bull by the horns and has turned a once not so well-known brand into one synonymous with chic style and eclecticism, and is beautifying homes and other establishments through his flair and grace.
Stylish in his own right, the new owner of Upholstery Etc situated in Westbourne Road, shared his take on business in Port Elizabeth and the journey he is enjoying.
Can you give us some background on yourself and how and when your business was started?
I have always enjoyed and been immersed in the textile industry, and have an international diploma in interior design, so when the opportunity came up, I bought Upholstery Etc in June 2018.
The company had been running for 14 years prior to my purchase of it.
What is your core service?
Our core business is upholstery of furniture, manufacturing furniture from scratch and other interior design elements.
What makes your business unique?
The fact that we can customdesign furniture, build it and upholster it to your liking.
Do you have any tips for budding entrepreneurs or new business owners?
You must believe in your dream – focus and work hard, it really does pay off.
What is the best advice anyone ever gave you about success?
If you work hard and keep working hard you will reap the benefits.
How do you measure or define success in your business?
Happy clients – ensuring all goods manufactured leave the shop well-made.
Detail is extremely important as we are an artistic business.
What are some of the best practices that have made your business successful? Building customer relations – with a visit, coffee and cake, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Inspiring clients to dare and change the look of things into a reflection of who they are, and upgrading the look of a showroom.
What kind of advertising do you do?
Word-of-mouth mainly and social media, mostly Facebook.
What is your company’s vision?
To be the best upholstery and décor supplier in Port Elizabeth and surrounds.
What is your target market? We have a wide variety – from walk-in clients to hotels, guesthouses and individual homes.
What are some of your highlights in running your business?
Upgrading the look of a business, serving clients and their needs and making clients’ homes beautiful.
How important is social media and an online presence for your business?
I mainly rely on happy customers and word-of-mouth but social media is important due to the fact that a picture of our products can speak a thousand words and inspire people to try something different.
How many people do you employ?
We currently have 12 employees.
Do you have any plans for expanding your business, and how would you go about this? Yes – definitely. This includes opening another showroom and expanding our brand.
How did you acquire funding for the business?
Through a business loan.
Once you had funding, what was the first step in actually launching the business? Definitely upgrading the look of the business to make it more modern and appealing.
What is the biggest lesson you have learnt from your business journey so far?
If you can dream your dream, then you can live your dream.
What have been the greatest challenges and advantages of running your business in a city like PE?
PE is a place of opportunities.
A challenge would be to let people buy into my vision.
An advantage is people accepting and trusting me to change their dwellings from a house to a home.
What do you think are the three key traits of a successful entrepreneur?
A positive mind, being creative and staying focused right to the end.
How do you motivate staff? Creating a comfortable and fun working environment, being transparent and building relationships.