Microchips for pets and other animals have become increasingly popular over the last few years, and for local business owner Shabnam Williams this has meant more growth for her business.
Williams founded CommuniPet in Cape Town in 2010 and has grown her business on the continent, now with clients in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
CommuniPet is a pet microchip identification company that provides an online registry to its clients.
Just before lockdown last year, Williams was invited to a vet expo that included all African countries for the first time.
The event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but she received an opportunity to exhibit her business virtually.
Williams said she took the opportunity to network and market her business.
“I introduced myself to as many people as I could, and that’s how I created contacts in Namibia and Zimbabwe. My business in Zambia and Tanzania was just word of mouth,” she said.
Williams, who worked as a credit analyst before starting her business, said she felt proud that her business was doing well.
“I maintained the commercial credit accounts of many businesses in the rural/farming areas of the Western Cape. That is where I learned a lot about big businesses in agriculture and how they operate.”
The entrepreneur said her love for animals was encouraged by her parents when she was growing up, and that her family owned a pet store which gave her insight into the industry.
After launching her business, with the help of government agency, Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Williams took the leap of faith and started building her brand and client base.
“The biggest challenge was getting people to trust my brand. Pet microchipping is as much a medical product as it is pet identification.
“I had to constantly prove my credibility to veterinarians, vet nurses and welfare organisation members.
“I always joke about how difficult it is to have your own business. There is a lot of stress that comes with being a business owner, so I try to be a few steps ahead.”
About 60% of Williams’s client base are women, in what is assumed to be a male-dominated industry.
“I have not had major challenges, except for the odd male-owned competitor in this industry.
“As long as my intention is good and I put in the work. I use rejections as fuel to work harder and aim higher.”
Williams believes that more training facilities for animal medical welfare was need in South Africa.
“The pet medical industry is not easily accessible because there is only one animal medical faculty in SA, at the University of Pretoria. I feel that there has to be another faculty in the Western Cape, at least.”
She believes that microchipping is a necessity.
“South Africa is known for its wildlife and animal conservation and by having an animal microchipped it provides identification that these animals need as a part of anti-poaching/conservation initiatives.
“On a domestic pet level, pet microchipping helps curb the stray dog and cat problems that plague many towns across SA. It makes every microchipped pet identifiable and connected to its owner via the online database.”