One of the benefits of a professional qualification is that it gives you options as a young person entering the workforce. Depending on the demand for your skills, you can apply for a specific role in an established business – a full-time job has many advantages. These include a regular, fixed salary, paid leave, sick leave, compulsory contributions to a pension investment scheme, a company infrastructure that provides your workspace and business tools, and access to career development and advancement.

Or you can use your skills and qualifications to start your own business. In fact, given South Africa’s struggle to grow the economy, even jobs for graduates and certified professionals can be hard to come by in many sectors. These economic challenges mean that starting your own business to offer skills, products or services directly to thee market could be a better route to financial independence than accepting a low‑paying job simply because there are no others on offer.

Developing an entrepreneurial mindset

If you’ve got the right mindset, the right tools, and the patience to persist, you could launch a startup as an independent entrepreneur and use your professional expertise to create your own business and build the future you imagine.

Our Essential Guide for Small-business Owners is a handy resource to help you steer your course at every stage. Here’s a summary of what you need to know before you start:

1.    Passion is fuel, not a plan

Loving what you do is a great place to start, but it’s not enough. A successful business produces a product of value, meets a need, solves a problem, or makes life easier for someone else – consistently. Before you invest all your savings in what you’re sure is a brilliant idea, ask yourself:

• Who is this for?
• Why would they buy it from me?
• What would make them come back?

Your business isn’t about you. It’s about what your client or customer values.

2.    Start small

Hold off on the fancy logos and Instagram aesthetics – your first job is to test your idea. Sell a few units. Get real feedback. See what works. Then double down.

You don’t need a massive budget to get going. You just need a clear idea of the product or service you’re offering, how it’s going to make money, and a few tools to help you stay organised.

If you have to pay rent and loans, or have other financial responsibilities that mean you need to stay in a full-time job for the future, consider starting a side hustle (that doesn’t conflict with your day job, and with your employer’s permission). Once you get the ball rolling, you can think about quitting your 9–5 – but remember: entrepreneurship is a 24/7 commitment.

3.    Money management beats vibes

Yes, freedom is amazing. But so is financial stability. If you're not watching your cash flow, you could land in trouble.

• Track your income.
• Know your expenses.
• Budget for growth and emergencies.

Helpful free tools like MoneyTracker on the Money app make it easier to see where your money’s going – and where it should be going. Get a separate business account the moment you start your business. Manage your personal and business finances separately. Using one to top up the other can cause several problems – like cash flow interruptions and complicated tax calculations.

4.    Get comfortable with rejection

Someone is going to say no. Probably a lot of people. You’ll launch something and get … silence. You’ll post content that flops. You’ll DM potential clients who leave your message unread.

It’s all part of it. As the famous quote goes: ‘When you’re going through hell, the key is to keep going.’ Take the feedback, adjust, and try again. And don’t be afraid to make a few embarrassing mistakes while you're figuring it all out. Confidence comes with experience.

5.    The internet is your best friend

You don’t need billboard money to build a brand. Use what you’ve got:

• TikTok to show your process.
• Instagram for your portfolio.
• WhatsApp for orders.
• Canva for designs.
• Google Forms for sign-ups.
• Free tools like SimplyBiz for templates, networking and mentorship opportunities.

Marketing isn’t about selling – it’s about connecting. Show up where your people are and give them a reason to care about your product or service.

6.    You can’t pour from an empty cup

Late nights, admin, impostor syndrome … it gets stressful. Especially if you're building something while working full-time or studying.

Here’s your survival kit:

• Set firm working hours. Burnout isn’t a badge of honour.
• Talk to people who have been where you are now. This can be a mentor, a community, or just a group chat for like-minded people.
• Celebrate small wins, like your first sale.
• You’re the engine of your business. If you break down, so does everything else.

7.    Not every idea needs to be ‘the one’

Some ideas count as practice. That failed event, the t-shirt line that didn’t sell, the freelance gig that ghosted you – it all helps in the long run. Every flop teaches you how to be better, sharper, and faster next time.

Entrepreneurship isn’t 1 big leap. It’s a series of small steps, risks, resets, and rebounds.

Want to go from idea to income?

You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to start.

When you’re ready, contact our Small Business Services Team to learn more about how we can help you make your dreams of entrepreneurship come true.