Gauteng B.Com Graduate Who Opened Bakery Hopes to Start Job Creation in Soweto in 6 Months

• A hard-working graduate in Gauteng is reaping the rewards of her ardent perseverance and grit
• The Bachelor of Commerce graduate has taken the knowledge she gained in business school to start a café/bakery in Soweto
• Chatting to Briefly News in a quick follow-up discussion, Sheila Onnetse Balerileng opened up about how much progress she hopes her business will make in the next six months

A dedicated self-taught baker in Gauteng is enjoying the fruits of her labours and recently opened a café/bakery in Soweto.

In a previous conversation with Briefly News, Sheila Onnetse Balerileng, who founded Onnetse’s Cake Corner, said that she has been baking since the hard lockdown in 2020, learning the skills through YouTube.

Baker with café in Soweto receives support

Sheila tells Briefly News that she doesn’t know exactly how much money was invested into the creation of the café since she received support from the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA):

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“I would use my savings to buy ingredients and this was between R300 and R500. In the beginning, I didn’t make a profit, but what made me keep running my business was my passion for baking.

“The cost to expand my business was R350 000 for my industrial equipment and operations. This I received from SEFA as a form of a small business loan.”

Gauteng B.Com graduate has big dreams for baking business

Sheila, who holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Johannesburg, notes that she would love to use her business to empower and innovate others. Reflecting on her short-term goals, she explains:

“In six months, I hope to see my business grow financially where I’ll able to hire people. I hope to use my café/bakery to empower people through job creation and the ability to donate some toiletries to local schools.”

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Despite loadshedding presenting challenges to the passionate entrepreneur, she refuses to give up her fight for independence.

Sheila is a true example of how innovation, hard work, and a little creativity can lead to success in business,

Gauteng mom with multiple businesses celebrates opening 2nd pie shop

In another story about a hard-working businesswoman in Gauteng, Briefly News caught up with Fikile Ndaba, who recently opened her second pie store.

The single mother is set on ensuring her young son has the best future, despite being left high and dry by her baby daddy.

Fikile is also an author and accountant with multiple businesses, including a charitable organisation she started in her son’s name.

Source: Briefly News