Miyelani Thulani Rikhoto | TCB Repair Programme | Johannesburg
My name is Miyelani Thulani Rikhoto. I am 35 years old and live in The Reeds, Centurion. I have 3 children: a 16 year old son, a 10 year old daughter and a 5 year old son.
I’ve always been interested in business. I wanted to be my own boss where I work my own hours and determine my own salary. I also like to serve and I enjoy working with people. In the past I have tried several hustles.
The latest business venture I tried before joining TCB was network marketing. Network marketing is a way of selling products where you make money from your own sales and also a percentage of the sales made by people you invite to join the business.
At CBN I learned the ways of the streets. We did street challenges, door-to-door selling and shopping stalls. Product demonstrations were the order of the day.
I learned some of the most crucial skills of selling, in my opinion, such as closing the deal. Sometimes I would have money lying around so much that I started loaning it out and created another income stream.
The reason I wanted to join Taking Care of Business (TCB) was to learn more about business and how to build a successful business venture. I expected to grow in business. TCB exceeded my expectations. I grew in business and I also grew as a person. The coaching and mentoring I receive here at TCB is invaluable. I transitioned from being a hustler to a business woman.
Running and managing my TCB business has equipped me with the necessary skills to grow a sustainable business. I have gained so much confidence of my repair skills. I can repair quite a variety of appliances. I have learnt how to record and handle my personal and business finances. How to handle myself properly under a variety of circumstances. How to work with and repair a whole list of electrical appliances.
A standout for me is money mentoring because I couldn’t run a successful business without knowing how to handle the finances.
I’ve gained more confidence in what I do and I have more self-esteem. I can handle people better as I’ve learnt to be calmer and understanding since I’m working with different people every day. I have more financial freedom now. I try to make peoples lives better, healthier and easier by being a role model myself. My family dresses better, they eat healthier, they are happier and they live much fuller lives now.
I value the freedom of being a business owner. I get to make decisions, take initiative, and directly see the results of my effort. It challenges me to grow, solve problems and continuously improve. Self-employment offers flexibility, full control over business decisions and higher income potential. But with great power comes great responsibility. One must be dedicated, persistent, adaptable, passionate and be able to bounce back fast after a downfall. My products and customers are the most important thing in my business.
I approach challenges with calmness and composure now. This enables me to think clearly and make sound decisions even under pressure. 3 words that describe me? Loyal, responsible and integrity.
It is the greatest feeling to know I am saving excess, unused or discarded retail returns/slightly damaged goods from landfills. I get to make money while making other peoples lives better. Powered by TCB I am able to provide access to important technology/appliances/homeware to people who would otherwise have not been able to access it. I also love the positive environmental impact and the financial freedom that comes with it.
TCB is part and parcel of the movement to save the planet from contamination and pollution.
My dream is to start and run a charity shop. They offer affordable goods, reduce waste through recycling/reusing, and support charitable causes. What keeps me motivated is that I want to leave a meaningful and lasting legacy for my children – one that reflects strong values, financial stability, and a foundation for future success.
Taking Care of Business (TCB) is a nonprofit social enterprise. We are empowering unemployed South Africans and their families to escape the cycle of poverty through small business opportunities, mostly within the circular economy.
