Johannesburg - Young entrepreneur Bakang Tefo, from Mabopane in Pretoria, is building a brand that he says is about growth, greatness and expansion.
“The idea of Pexa started in middle school. I didn't know anything about registering a company or running a business, so I kept the idea to myself until I completed my BSC in IT and that was when Pexa was established, in 2013.” Bakang tells IOL.
The 25-year-old entrepreneur started the brand with R250. “I was able to work with what I had at the time and have not yet needed funding, however, as the business is growing bigger with time and support from people we are now looking into funding for assistance to expand the brand.”
Tefo says his aim is to “ultimately take the business global, but I understand the theory of growth. Pexa will create job employment for our youth.”
Having been brought up by a single parent and watching his mother sacrifice and struggle to provide food has taught him a lot, he says.
“Growing up was a bit difficult for me; I always believe that sharing is caring. I remember back in middle school and high school my friends and I always had to share the little we had. There was a time school teachers called us after noticing that we did not have lunch; they gave us food to eat.”
The road to running his own business, which focus on solving problems rather than accumulating wealth was not an easy one and Tefo learnt many hard lessons along the way.
The importance of serious and accurate market research can never be over emphasised, he says. This involves interacting with lot of people within the target market, identifying a suitable place.”Perseverance, he says, is also vital.
Out of Pexa, in 2013, he established the Pexa Foundation, which aims to support conflict resolution, remove poverty as well as improve the health of the public. Since launch, the foundation has given a bursary to a needy student, who completed her matric well but could not pursue her studies due to financial issues.
Tefo believes if you know what you want in life then it easier to seek out and be aware of the opportunities around you. He cites Steve Jobs, who once said: “You have to be burning with 'an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right.' If you're not passionate enough from the start, you'll never stick it out.”
Pexa was nominated by the Tshwane Spotlight awards as the best local brand in the city of Pretoria. It also has been worn by couple of celebrities such as the rapper Fifi Cooper, DJ Maphorisa and Vuzu presenter Shelton Forbes.
“Good things come to those who patiently persist. Working hard is a special ingredient because of investment in a form of hard work always pays the interest in a form of success. Get out of your comfort zone, find your unique voice and the world will listen,” he says.
IOL