When Gilroy Thale started his framing business he was operating from a garage after hours because he was still working full time at the SA Picture Framing Academy
As the business grew and the garage that he was operating from got overcrowded, he figured out that he needed a bigger space. As the demand for his services grew he was no longer finding time to rest. He had to resign from his full time job and work for himself. When he discovered the peace of mind and fulfillment he brought to his clients, he never looked back.
Please tell us a bit about the journey that led you into starting your own company?
I started working in the framing industry while I was in matric, doing it as a part time job on weekends only. I fell in love with it and became interested in knowing more about it. I attended a full picture framing course at the SA Picture Framing Academy, which widely opened my eyes. I got promoted to become a manager; I was now hands on in all parts of the company. This sparked the interest in learning the business side of it; hence I went and studied business management. Because the company that I worked for only opened weekdays, the demand made me realize that I could open my own garage business and run it on weekends.
As my garage business grew, I applied for a franchise. The application was successful. Having my own principles, morals and values, I did not agree with some of the values of the franchise and I pursued my garage business full time. The challenges I faced were the fact that I did not have machinery and I couldn’t afford the manpower that I needed. I started helping out at different framing shops provided they let me use their machines for myself in return, at my own time of cause. The money I could have used to go to the movies, to get new trendy jackets or get the latest iPod, I saved and ultimately managed to install the most important machine in the shop. My client base grew and as word travelled, the demand grew even more. This forced me to move the business to the next level in terms of registrations and new bigger and better premises. That’s when it hit me that I actually have my own company.
What are the traits that make a successful entrepreneur?
Personally I’ve learnt the hard way. I have learnt that life is about what you put into it and that what you put into it comes out twice the size, good or bad. I followed the trend of hard work. Never say never, never take no for an answer, only strive to know and master everything. But never tell yourself that you are the master of everything because that will limit your growth as a business man.
The most valuable thing that every business person needs to respect is time. There’s only so much of it in one day and once wasted it never returns. Contrary to popular beliefs, ignorance should never be bliss to any business entrepreneur. Life is not too short and never live like it’s your last day because you will make mistakes that could cost you for the rest of your business life. A good businessperson is governed by honesty, integrity and the desire to make a difference. The money should be just a bonus.
What is your motto and how do you apply it in business?
I believe that eyes were put in the front for us to see, pursue what lies ahead and to always move forward with no properly looking out for obstacles. What lies behind you is what you have seen already. If you dwell on it too much, it only holds you back and destructs you more from seeing what is ahead of you.
This is always my drive to solve problems while I face them at that time rather than push them under carpets. I never skip to tomorrows job before I finish today’s job. And if I want things to be done properly in a certain way, I either do it myself, or I let it be done under my own supervision.
Falling is not a sign of failure. It’s just a confirmation that you have moved from where you used to comfortably be to where you need to be a bit stronger to withstand the temporary pressure. You are only a failure if you fall and refuse to get up again. I practice what I preach and I do as I say. I choose only the best, tried and tested staff to work for me.
At what stage can one say that they are running a successful business?
The success measure of any business differs from person to person depending on what you want to achieve. The only time one can say their business is successful is when they get to the point of retirement having changed the lives of the people or the country at large. Retirement should be a decision not a way out of business trouble. The road to a successful business is when you have true and trustworthy staff that speaks the same language as you to your customer whether you are there or not. The road to a successful business is when you sleep peacefully at night because you know there is no problem that is impossible to solve.
Communication is yet another way of paving the road to success. Look at your business objectives every now and again just to keep track of how many have been fulfilled and how many still needs to be worked on. All of them are there for a reason. The minute one tells themselves that the company is now successful, that is the beginning of disasters. You can only measure that when you reach the end of the road.
How do you keep your clients satisfied?
I keep records of each and every customer that comes into my shop. That way I can be able to do my quarterly checkups and give the advice they need regarding the job we did for them. We always make it a point that every customer that comes to us, leaves the premises having learnt something about our business and assured that their paintings are save and protected with us. We do this by the insurance that we have to cover expensive art like original paintings and sketches.
We allow the customer to be part of the consultations and the combinations that we put together for their piece that they want to frame. We educate them about the extra precautions they will have to take when handling their pieces once they are framed. When a customer’s work is ready, we often phone them or send them an email. And if it’s a big piece, we offer to deliver it to their doorstep.
Ntsako Mbhokota is a Johannesburg based freelance writer and author of ‘The world’s on shades’ you can contact her on houseofisismedia@gmail.com