This was the case for Company Wellness Solutions co-founder, Damien Seid, who won the award in the Small Business category in last year’s Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year® competition. “This recognition has bolstered our reputation, making us a more desirable partner for businesses seeking our services. Moreover, it has positioned us as an employer of choice, attracting top talent eager to be part of our winning team.”
2023 Resilient Entrepreneur of the Year, Monageng Legae Junior, concurs, “Winning the competition has not only earned my company, Bontle Ke Botho Consulting, the respect of our industry peers but has also elevated our profile within the broader business landscape. The resulting publicity has cemented our credibility and translated into numerous invitations to share my experience on business success. Additionally, our win has emboldened us to explore new avenues to bolster our value proposition.”
David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners emphasises that the Entrepreneur of the Year® awards offer strategic business advantages too. “Not only do they objectively validate a business’s excellence, but also provide a valuable benchmark for its performance within a particular sphere. Moreover, the accolades serve as a diagnostic tool, identifying a company’s strengths and weaknesses relative to competitors to inform strategic decisions. They also have a profound impact on employee morale, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and driving both performance and retention.”
“The award process itself can illuminate avenues for growth, as the criteria may highlight areas for improvement,” he points out. “Additionally, the prize-giving ceremony offers a platform for networking with other entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and potential collaborators, thus expanding professional networks and opening doors to new business opportunities.”
“Over the past 36 years, the annual Entrepreneur of the Year competition has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing South Africa’s entrepreneurial talent. Providing mentorship support, networks and exposure – not to mention a share of R2 million – has served as a catalyst for business growth among our winners and finalists over the years,” explains Morobe.
With entries for the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year competition closing on 31 August, Legae urges South African SME owners to step outside their comfort zone and seize this opportunity to strengthen their business. Seid adds, “Go for it, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
Categories include Emerging Entrepreneur, Small Business Entrepreneur and Medium Business Entrepreneur. Five finalists will be chosen in each category and the finalist who employs the most individuals will receive the Job Creator prize.
“Every SME has the potential to be a success story. Awards provide an opportunity to amplify their profile and propel their business to greater heights. By having their hard work recognised and celebrated, they can build stronger businesses that contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy,” concludes Morobe.
South African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operate in a challenging environment characterised by intense competition as well as contestation for resources and visibility. However,research indicates that winning awards can help them overcome these obstacles, providing them with a competitive edge that can lead to a 63% increase in income and a 39% uptick in sales.
This was the case for Company Wellness Solutions co-founder, Damien Seid, who won the award in the Small Business category in last year’s Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year® competition. “This recognition has bolstered our reputation, making us a more desirable partner for businesses seeking our services. Moreover, it has positioned us as an employer of choice, attracting top talent eager to be part of our winning team.”
2023 Resilient Entrepreneur of the Year, Monageng Legae Junior, concurs, “Winning the competition has not only earned my company, Bontle Ke Botho Consulting, the respect of our industry peers but has also elevated our profile within the broader business landscape. The resulting publicity has cemented our credibility and translated into numerous invitations to share my experience on business success. Additionally, our win has emboldened us to explore new avenues to bolster our value proposition.”
David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners emphasises that the Entrepreneur of the Year® awards offer strategic business advantages too. “Not only do they objectively validate a business’s excellence, but also provide a valuable benchmark for its performance within a particular sphere. Moreover, the accolades serve as a diagnostic tool, identifying a company’s strengths and weaknesses relative to competitors to inform strategic decisions. They also have a profound impact on employee morale, fostering a stronger sense of belonging and driving both performance and retention.”
“The award process itself can illuminate avenues for growth, as the criteria may highlight areas for improvement,” he points out. “Additionally, the prize-giving ceremony offers a platform for networking with other entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and potential collaborators, thus expanding professional networks and opening doors to new business opportunities.”
“Over the past 36 years, the annual Entrepreneur of the Year competition has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing South Africa’s entrepreneurial talent. Providing mentorship support, networks and exposure – not to mention a share of R2 million – has served as a catalyst for business growth among our winners and finalists over the years,” explains Morobe.
With entries for the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year competition closing on 31 August, Legae urges South African SME owners to step outside their comfort zone and seize this opportunity to strengthen their business. Seid adds, “Go for it, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
Categories include Emerging Entrepreneur, Small Business Entrepreneur and Medium Business Entrepreneur. Five finalists will be chosen in each category and the finalist who employs the most individuals will receive the Job Creator prize.
“Every SME has the potential to be a success story. Awards provide an opportunity to amplify their profile and propel their business to greater heights. By having their hard work recognised and celebrated, they can build stronger businesses that contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy,” concludes Morobe.
