Many of our graduates dream of working for themselves. A diploma gives you the skills, but a business also needs a plan, a few early customers and careful control of your money.
Start small. Offer one service you are good at, such as building simple websites or catering for local events, and ask your first clients for honest feedback. Our WordPress Websites for Small Businesses course shows you how to get online without a big budget.
Start with what you know, serve a few people well and let the business grow from there. Pieter van der Merwe, Senior Web Development LecturerKeep records from day one and separate your own money from the business account. Speak to us in Umhlanga if you want advice on the next step.
Turn your training into a service
Think about what people around you already pay for. A trained cook can offer lunch packs to local offices. A web student can build pages for shops in the neighbourhood. Choose one clear offer and set a fair price in Rand.
Find your first customers
Tell friends, family and former classmates what you do. Ask each happy client to recommend you. Many Vaardig College graduates in Durban started this way and grew slowly, one customer at a time.
Nomvula Zulu
I enjoyed this post. The tips on balancing work and study are exactly what I needed. Thank you, Vaardig College!
Rajesh Govender
Very useful article. The advice is clear and practical, and it helped me think about which course to take next. Well done to the team!
Sarah Pillay
Thank you for your kind words! We are glad you found this useful. Your support means a lot to our team at Vaardig College. Thanks!
Lerato Mokoena
Helpful and easy to follow. I shared this with a friend who is deciding on a diploma. A good resource for anyone planning their studies.