“It’s Not Perfect”: Cape Town Woman Shares What She Wished She Knew Before Starting Her SA Business
- A Cape Town jewellery business owner who has made over R14.5 million shared what she wished she knew before starting her business
- The woman explained that waiting for the perfect moment to launch is the hurdle most people can't get over when starting a business
- South Africans flooded the comments asking for help with their own business struggles, from marketing to tax compliance
- Briefly News spoke to entrepreneur Rajesperi Naidoo about when it is a good time to start a business
Source: TikTok
A Cape Town entrepreneur who built a multimillion-rand business shared the one thing she wishes someone had told her before she started. Content creator @keagskingsley, who owns the jewellery business Jimnojean, posted a video on 9 January 2026 that resonated with aspiring business owners across South Africa.
In the clip, Keagan sat down to share hard-earned wisdom from her journey of building a company that has generated over R14.5 million in revenue. Her message was simple but powerful: just start. She explained that most people struggle to get past the first hurdle of actually launching their business, even when they have great ideas and solutions to real problems.
The biggest mistake people make, according to Keagan, is waiting for everything to be perfect before they launch. She explained that the process is never going to be seamless. There will always be room for growth, development, and problems that need solving.
Keagan's approach to business challenges the perfectionism that keeps many South Africans from pursuing their dreams. She acknowledged that running a business means facing hurdle after hurdle, but the only way to overcome those obstacles is to actually start and discover what needs fixing along the way.
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Her advice came with a dose of tough love: if you think you have the grit, confidence, and willpower, then the only thing stopping you from starting your business in South Africa is yourself.
Speaking to Briefly News writer Nerissa Naidoo, entrepreneur Rajesperi Naidoo said:
“There is never a perfect time to start a business, but it is best to begin when you have done your research, understand your market and are mentally prepared for challenges. Starting a business should be based on readiness and planning, not just excitement or pressure.”
When asked what the first step should be before starting a business, Rajesperi Naidoo explained:
“The first step is to clearly define your business idea and understand who your target market is. Before spending money, you should research your industry, calculate your start-up costs, and create a simple business plan so you know exactly what you are getting into.”
Watch the TikTok clip below:
SA entrepreneurs react to business advice
Social media users shared their own experiences and asked for guidance from TikToker @keagskingsley in the comments:
@kool_in_ice_company shared:
"I started when I was broke 10 years ago, and I'm grateful I did."
@syncli advised:
"Just start - figure out if you're gonna do a service or a product. Start super small. Like think the smallest, lowest cost possible."
@suzette_binneman asked:
"We started my daughter's business last year April, she's been blessed so far..."
@born_trippy questioned:
"R14 mill turnover or R14 mill profit? Not too difficult to make a turnover, very difficult to make a net profit."
@msn_traders pleaded:
"I make and sell genuine leather handbags, but I can't seem to make any sales. Please help."
@saskia_michele vented:
"I have everything planned to start my business. Now I just need R150k."
Source: TikTok
DISCLAIMER: Briefly News does not provide financial advice. The information shared in this article is for informational purposes only.
More SA entrepreneurs
- Briefly News recently reported on a 21-year-old Johannesburg man who shared how he made enough money through e-commerce to buy two dream BMWs.
- In another story, Springbok legend Duane Vermeulen turned entrepreneur with the launch of his Free State café venture after retiring from rugby.
- A young entrepreneur's olive oil brand became the first black-owned olive oil to land on Woolworths' shelves.
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Source: Briefly News
Nerissa Naidoo (Human Interest Editor) Nerissa Naidoo is a writer and editor with seven years of experience. Currently, she is a human interest writer at Briefly News and joined the publication in 2024. She began her career contributing to Morning Lazziness and later joined Featherpen.org. As a TUW ghostwriter, she focused on non-fiction, while her editorial roles at National Today and Entail.ai honed her skills in content accuracy and expert-driven editing. You can reach her at nerissa.naidoo@briefly.co.za
Rajesperi Venilla Naidoo (Entrepreneur and Business Owner) Rajesperi Venilla Naidoo is a seasoned entrepreneur with ranging experience in various industries. She's held CEO positions in multiple companies, including Naleli Transport and Sugar and Spice, and is mainly involved in property development in the commercial property industry.
