Page 107 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

SHAAZ MOOSA

S haaz Moosa is the chief executive officer and and due to his practical business experience, he and that’s all. That 5% extra is what unlocks the

multitude of other things that you can do, and
understood finances better, and he was able to
chief financial officer of Supahot Geysers
to achieve that you’ve just got to persevere, be
enhance himself.
and MS Group Holdings.
His business career has been motivated Shaaz mentioned that he has always had good teams consistent and disciplined.”
by his family who have all operated business and support structures. His mom, wife, as well as his In addition to the 5% rule, Shaaz said that if you
enterprises. Straight after finishing matric, and family, and ‘phenomenal’ friends are always willing look at the top 100 companies in the world and
with their support, Shaaz started his own business to assist. He explained, “It’s not about finance, it’s their CEOs and founders, they have the quality of
journey in the insurance industry. This experience about hearing you, guiding you, motivating you, starting early. “When I say starting early, I’m talking
taught him a lot about communicating with and being able to learn from people and what about the 4:00 am rule. One should start work early
people, about how money works as well as the they’ve done over the years. I think that experience and that allows you to work hard.”
finance industry. He quickly decided to become an is the basis for the success of who I am today.”
independent insurance broker and applied for his Shaaz’s career has not been without challenges,
license. By the age of 19 he had multiple contracts. GIVE FROM WHAT YOU HAVE which in his early days included a lack of credit
facilities due to his young age. This challenge
However, Shaaz commented that he realised that In commenting on his motivation to succeed, Shaaz forced him to be more creative and to look at out-
the insurance industry did not offer the long-term said, “I strongly believe that if you do the right of-the-box solutions. One solution was to develop
business growth, which would enable him to reach things, the Almighty opens up the doors for you. business partnerships, and Shaaz now has multiple
his goals. Consequently, he started dabbling in a If you assist the community, your people, family, partners in a range of businesses and projects.
variety of businesses including the property market. etc, then the Almighty will give you more. That is
In commenting on his leadership style, Shaaz says
the advice that I give to every young person today.
In 2006 Shaaz’s father tragically passed away and his he prefers working with inclusion rather than
Don’t wait until you have money, give from what
entire world changed as Shaaz was now required to you have, and the Almighty is going to give you in an authoritative style. “I’m surrounded by a
be the family leader and take care of everyone. phenomenal team, and I prefer having the buy in
more. And if you’re doing right, with the right moral
HARD WORK compass, the Almighty will certainly make sure that and understanding from our key staff. We set up
our plan and our mission for what we’re wanting to
he gives you that responsibility.”
While looking for other business opportunities, achieve. Including our staff in this process has led to
Shaaz got involved with the Scooters’ pizza brand, “You have to give back into your communities. the success of our business.”
opening up Halaal stores. He explained, “Over three You have to give back to your family, whether Shaaz started the Supahot geyser journey in 2018
years, we opened up multiple stores and I soon it’s in time or money. You have to include people and the company has now become the third geyser
realised that this is very hard work as the effort to and by doing that, success is automatic. We must manufacturer in the country. He explained that their
financial reward did not make sense. I found that understand that success is not just measured in success is due to keeping their expenses low and to
it was better for me to open up stores and sell finances, there’s no point in having lots of money the relationships that they have built.
them off. Whilst doing that I was buying one/two- if you’re not a person that one can sit and talk to.”
bedroom apartments, as at that time the avenue to “The rule that I would advise to anybody who To relax Shaaz enjoys time with his family. “I think
credit was quite easy.” As the values of properties with my busy schedule and timelines, I find joy in
wants to do anything, is to give 5% more. Because
was going up, when Shaaz sold these properties off, spending time with my family. As I have achieved
that 5% more is what allows you to be better than
he was able to build an asset base. much because of the support, the blessings, and
the rest. I use an analogy of boiling water, and
prayers of my mum, I try as much as possible to
“I realised unintentionally, that I’d become a serial it’s a 5% rule. I’m in the geyser business, so I can be there for her. I’ve got a wonderful spouse who’s
businessman. At the time FNB invited myself and be more technical about it,” he said with a smile. very supportive of me, and I’ve actually grown
a close friend of mine, who has passed away, to “Water boils at 100°C. At 100° C what that process quite a bit because of her support.”
do a mini-MBA. He convinced me to do this mini- can do is limitless. You can create power, and from
MBA with him, which we completed in just over a that power you can create electricity, steam trains, In conclusion, the motto that Shaaz lives is: “To do
year.” Shaaz said the course was self-empowering etc. At 95°C what can you do? Have a cup of tea good, speak well and listen to people.”
105