With the right coaching – a great idea can turn into a great business
“I can’t draw or paint, but I’ve always had a passion for the art space.” This is how Andile, Langa aka the Art Dealer, describes the start of his young but ambitious online company.
Andile started his business with the intention to sell art. He commissioned artists to get the rights to their artworks and sell them under his name. Unfortunately, the business model wasn’t really successful, so Andile went back to the drawing board.
He came up with the idea to create an art online platform, MATTE ART, through which he connects artists with art collectors/buyers. He vets all the artists himself before featuring them on the platform for art collectors to browse. The business model has been a resounding success so far. He is currently working with 11 artists and looking to sign up 9 more.
The development of this idea came with the help of the SAACII incubation programme. “Engaging with Tshepo Matlou from Sobona as a business coach was what made this plan really come to live,” says Andile. “Communicating with people is my second nature, so it was easy for me to engage with artists and sign them up, but the finances, budgeting and creating the value proposition of the business model was more challenging for me. The incubation programme helped me create a blueprint for my business model.”
Initially Andile was sceptical to join the incubation programme. He was afraid that without an Intellectual Property in place, his ideas might be ‘stolen’. “It was scary to share the blueprint of the ideas in my mind with a group of people,” he says. “Tshepo and later Sipho from Sobona walked me through the process. They provided me with a wealth of information and helped me formulate my ideas. They connected me to valuable people in the industry. I feel this programme has really set my business up for the future.”
“They have been an invaluable part of my success. They are always just a phone call away, and even if they are busy, they always phones me back straight away. I always have the support I need from Sobona. To know you have someone who has your back as soon as you need it is life-changing.”
