Page 3 - KZN Business Sense 8.5

CONSISTENCY IS

KEY TO SUCCESS

saac Mbatha’s strong well as sticking flyers on taxis get people excited and he enjoys
entrepreneurial spirit led him windows in order to get his name being a motivator. He said, “I
Ito establish Sky Tents in 2015. out there and his business off the resonate with people who want to
His entry into the tent business ground. This meant that, at times, be part of the Sky Tents journey.”
began with washing and mending Isaac was often alone in very However, he says that as the team
tents as well as, on a small scale, remote areas where his personal leader he sometimes has found it
acting as a middleman in the tent safety was at risk. difficult to delegate but is learning
hire business. The establishment to ensure that his employees can
Isaac hit his biggest challenge
of the tent manufacturing in 2015/16, when he felt that take responsibility for their own
business was in response to the everything was going wrong roles and responsibilities.
many requests from people who and he had accumulated a large The constant change is
had done business with him.
amount of debt. He commented, apparent in that while Sky Tents
People, said Isaac asked, “What you plan for in your started with pole tents, the
“Why can’t he hire the tents head and what happens on range of products has grown
out personally?” He recognised your road to success are two to include stretch tents, frame
that there was much opportunity different things.” tents and dome tents amongst
as the first black person in tent At that time Isaac hit rock other products, for a wide range
manufacturing as tents were bottom and he struggled of applications.
often used for funerals, parties, enormously with stress, anxiety In addition, Sky Tents services
weddings, etc. in township and insomnia. He said, “I learnt include the supply of tables
and rural areas. Although he that I had to be brave. There was and chairs, draping, mobile
was scared of failure, with the only one way to get out of the toilets, and mobile chillers. The
encouragement of his father, predicament I was in and that company is now venturing in to
he decided to ‘go for it’, was to pick myself up.” injection moulding.
explained Isaac. Isaac Mbatha, CEO at Sky Tents
Isaac had always enjoyed Sky Tents has branches in nine
Sky Tents was the name chosen
for his business venture as he said listening to Ukhozi FM radio locations in South Africa and has
international clients in Namibia,
station and he saw a means
the name would encourage him to both help people to change Botswana, Nigeria, Algeria,
to push his business’s growth as
much as possible. Isaac explained, their lives and to get his name Swaziland, Uganda, Lesotho, the
Seychelles, Zambia, Mozambique
in the tent business known.
“There is nothing above the sky – He approached the head of and Zimbabwe.
there are no limits on the road to Ukhozi FM with a plan to be
growth and success.” Isaac says his business
the first radio station to give
While he had a business idea, away businesses to aspiring philosophy is based on his belief
that consistency is key to success.
Isaac had no finance. He was entrepreneurs, which was a “My head has been down and
advised to go to an accountant to concept accepted by the station I have run my own race.” He
create a business plan, which he with much enthusiasm. During added, “Tired rhymes with fired.
said was a new concept to him. 2017, in what became a highly You need to be on top of your
Although he had expressed his successful radio campaign, game at all times. Clients are not Sky Tents head office is in Westmead, Pinetown.
dream on paper and despite his Sky Tents gave away 100 tents just about buying your products;
best efforts, his application for a that could be hired out by they are about your services. As
business loan was turned down entrepreneurs to create a business a company, our clients value our
by the bank loan’s officer. That and an opportunity for their own service and our opinions so they
the bank did not see the potential success. Isaac said that helping will even often ask us for business
for success, he found especially people to change their lives was a referrals for unrelated products.”
disappointing, especially as he highlight of his career.
believed that the bank had wasted As a consequence of the For him one of the highlights of
his time over the application and campaign, Isaac became the his journey to success has been
rejection process. being recognised by the Forbes
face of the Sky Tents brand and
But Isaac did qualify for a someone with whom people Africa 30 Under 30 list in 2019.
In 2022 in a further accolade,
personal loan and his passion wanted to do business and to he won the Standard Bank KZN
for his vision ensured that he grow their relationships. People Top Business Entrepreneur
did not give up on his dream connected with his story and with award for resilience
and he accessed this finance. him as a person, explained Isaac. Aluminium Tents work very well for many different types of functions.
He used these funds and his The business growth is evident Isaac says he is constantly
credit card limit to purchase in the Sky Tents’ number of working on the business –
sewing machines and rent a employees. The company started reviving and polishing it. This
business premise. leaves him little free time but he
tent manufacturing with only does enjoy spending this time
Isaac faced many tough three employees. In 2017 this
challenges in the first year of number grew from six to 13 with his family and friends. 
operation including opposition employees with the company now
from his competitors. As his employing 79 people. www.skytentsa.co.za
profit margins were slim, each Isaac’s own entrepreneur spirit
tent he made relied on the 50% is apparent in that he makes sure
deposit paid by the customer in that the business is constantly
order to purchase material.
changing. He says, “I strive to get
He spent much time walking my people bubbling and asking
the streets and handing out flyers what are we doing next.” As such
at robots, and in townships as he is a creator of new ideas that Stretch Tents are made of a special fabric that can be pulled and stretched
over any space.

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