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HAVING a job is a good thing — the problem is complete reliance on it! That, unfortunately, is where most people are.
The loss of a job can set in motion a chain of financial calamities in motion, and even threaten the survival of a person or an entire household.
Could there be an answer to this dilemma? According to Carlos Tavengwa, the owner of Vaiton Refrigeration — the answer is having skills.
Tavengwa was once employed as a refrigerator mechanic at a Bulawayo firm but as a believer that when one has skills, the ability to earn a living is never in doubt, he had to quit his job of three years to start his own business empire where he was to put all his expertise to test in order to improve his livelihood.
However, after calling it time at his workplace, Tavengwa was to further enhance his knowledge in repairing cooling components by enrolling at a local college.
Upon completing his course, he opened Vaiton Refrigeration in 2010, which to date stands as one of the biggest refrigeration and air conditioning equipment repairers and suppliers in the city.
“I realised that there was a gap in the market in the provision of refrigeration repair services as there were only two reputable companies at the time and this prompted me to leave my employment to start my own business of the same nature,” Tavengwa said.
Vaiton Refrigeration specialises in repairing domestic and commercial refrigerators, cold rooms and mortuaries as well as selling refrigerators and spares of various cooling system equipment.
Tavengwa said Vaiton Refrigeration had over the past four years managed to fortify its position as one of the most reputable and reliable companies in refrigeration services in the city.
“Our customer base and market niche has continued to grow over the years largely due to our good reception to customers as well as expertise. We hardly have job returns and this is one of the major strengths we have against our competitors as we believe in offering a quality service to our clients,” he said.
Tavengwa, however, bemoaned the sprouting of a number of backyard workshops that were posing unfair competition to registered companies.
“Business is fair but we have to face unfair competition from individuals that are operating backyard workshops. These individuals evade paying tax and as such charge very low prices but the public should be wary of them as most times they do substandard jobs and also tend to use fake or used spare parts for repairs swindling customers in the process,” he said.
“Most of these small illegal enterprises from the informal sector operate on open land or locations not legally recognised for the purpose and with no right of ownership. Authorities should rein in these unscrupulous individuals.”
Tavengwa urged consumers to buy reputable refrigerator brands arguing they were more durable while their spare parts could easily be sourced.
The Vaiton Refrigeration owner said Bulawayo’s industry was suffering largely due to an influx of cheap imports, a situation which had led to most people shunning local products.
He said locals should embrace the Buy Zimbabwe concept so as to protect local industries from collapsing.
Buy Zimbabwe is a local campaign launched in 2011 with the aim of boosting job creation by encouraging citizens to purchase products and goods with the Buy Zimbabwe insignia.
“Our industries are collapsing due to an influx of cheap imports most of which are of poor quality. It is high time locals embrace the Buy Zimbabwe campaign and stop shunning local products as this not only creates job opportunities but enables customers to get value for their money as most of our goods are genuine, durable and of better quality than some imports,” Tavengwa said.
Just like any other business personality, Tavengwa envisages the growth of his empire and has set sights on opening branches in various parts of the country.
“Our long term plan is to open branches in Victoria Falls, Gweru, Gwanda and Beitbridge because we believe there is a lucrative market in these places. However, our efforts to do that over the years have been frustrated by limited resources in terms of cash,” he said.
“Had it been that our banks were considerate of the plight of indigenous businesses we would have long opened but their requirements are just stringent for small and upcoming entrepreneurs. The rentals which we are subjected to by property owners in the CBD are also astronomical.”
Tavengwa also lamented the continuous overlooking of Bulawayo’s specialized companies to carry out a number of jobs at most local institutions in preference for Harare firms as affecting the growth of business as well as having a negative effect on the city’s economy.
In an effort to boost his coffers, the esteemed businessman plans to establish a sportswear shop and has already started stocking some of the merchandise.
“In business one doesn’t have to stand on one leg and as such I have noticed that there is a high demand for quality and branded sportswear in the city and I have since seized the opportunity to open a shop that will be selling reputable sports regalia and apparatus,” Tavengwa said.
Online Reporter