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Starting a small business straight after matric is exciting, and plenty of young South Africans have done it well. You do not need a big budget. You need a clear idea, a few paying customers and someone to guide you.
Begin with a service you can offer cheaply, like tutoring, car washing or social media help for local shops.
Your first customer teaches you more than a year of planning. Start small and learn fast. Riaan Petersen, Career Change CoachRegister your business, open a separate bank account and keep simple records from day one. You can also study part-time later if you decide to.
Test your idea first
Before spending money, talk to ten people who might buy from you. Ask what they pay for now and what annoys them. Try your idea for a month on a small scale. If people pay, you have something to build on.
Keep a back-up plan
Many young founders also keep a part-time job or apply to study as a safety net. Look into youth funding, short courses and mentors in the Helderberg area. A business and a study path can work side by side, and a coach can help you balance both.
Nomvula Dlamini
I really enjoyed this post. The steps were clear and easy to follow. My daughter and I read it together last night.
Riaan Petersen
Very helpful article. The practical advice on planning your next step after school is exactly what our family needed. Thank you for explaining it so simply.
Zainab Adams
Thank you for your kind words. We are glad the article helped. Please get in touch if you need more help.
Lerato Khumalo
Clear and honest advice about study and career choices. I shared it with a few colleagues who are thinking about changing careers.