adminDanisa Masuku, Business Correspondent
THE prospect of retirement sends shivers down the spines of many workers, who worry about how they will survive without employment and the income that comes with it.
Not so for Anele Moyo, the founder and managing director of Acknel Investments Company in Bulawayo, trading as Home and Office Solutions.
Moyo, 39, retired from Calbro after serving for more than a decade to start his own furniture company with his wife, Siphosethu Moyo.
He believed the experience that he had obtained was enough for his survival.
“I worked for Calbro for 13 years and after seeing that I had gained experience in the soft furnishing industry, I decided to start my own business with my wife in 2013,” he told Chronicle Business.
“I started my business because I didn’t want to be employed anymore, but wanted to have my own business. I took a loan from a local bank and complemented it with my savings.
“I started the business with one employee and we used to run an office, but due to an increase in demand for our service, we decided to rent a bigger office and employed two extra workers.”
The company offers soft furnishings such as vertical and venetian blinds, loose or fitted carpets, curtain make up, furniture upholstery, curtain rails, curtain rods and awnings.
With many companies struggling in a challenging economic environment punctuated by liquidity constraints, Moyo says the solution lies in a diversified business model.
“We offer different services to our customers such as tile fitting, upholstery, painting and we also sell carpets and curtains,” said Moyo.
He said the young company furnishes offices, conference rooms and also does home décor services at state, wedding and corporate functions.
The SME entrepreneur said: “When we started, it was difficult, but we had to persevere because we knew that there’s nothing that comes easy. As Christians, we believe God’s time is the best and by His grace, we managed to break through.”
“Through perseverance and passion, we’ve managed to gain the confidence of the customers,” he added.
Moyo said he derived his strength from offering good customer care.
“My great strength is in the customer care. I try by all means to make sure that every customer that enters my shop leaves satisfied and that has been fruitful to me. We also try to offer quality services so as to keep customer confidence in this highly competitive environment. We charge affordable prices and that has ensured our survival in the market,” he said.
In an improved economy, he believes there are more opportunities in the furniture industry.
“I believe our economy will improve and this is the time for one to venture into business and gain experience,” Moyo said.
“We’re a growing entity and we target offering services all over the country and to countries like South Africa and Botswana.”
Home and Office Solutions is located on, 14th Ave Fife Street/George Silundika Street, in Bulawayo.
Moyo is assisted by Thembelani Moyo, who is in charge of administration.
He employs three workers.
Moyo is studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship at Lupane State University.
He is married to Siphosethu and they have three children, two sons and a daughter.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter