COVID-19 was and still is a challenge because it is something very new to us. As a business owner, I was tasked with the responsibility of making sure that all those who depended on me were not left stranded or hungry, and this included not just my family. Before the President announced the lockdown last year, I booked myself and my Managers into a hotel to take part in an all-night workshop. The workshop was us looking to come up with new ways to improve our business. That meeting helped us because everything we discussed is what helped us counter the difficulties of COVID before we even knew about COVID. We were able to up our sales and maintain stability in recruiting. COVID or no COVID, we need to keep our business wagons going. Protect yourselves by wearing your masks, sanitising and by maintaining social distancing. Whatever you do, do not stop. Staying positive throughout the pandemic helped me run my business successfully, I even managed to buy myself a new BMW M4. This is not because I am better than anyone else, it is because I see the value of every member in my team.

I have been in this business for a very long time and like most businesses I have come across challenges, but I always manage to dust myself off and try again. That is how my business became successful. With BBB, I have found joy in helping my community. I have been able to give women who could not read or write a chance to make a living. I have been able to help struggling kids get an education, and I shared the BBB opportunity with a couple of willing unemployed men so they could provide for their families. In as much as we get into business for benefits and financial stability, nothing is as fulfilling as being able to help other people who are in need. As a businessman, you are a leader and it is important to lead people through the right path. COVID-19 made running our business challenging because we could not meet for meetings and trainings. Thankfully, because of the hard work we put into the business and the grace of God, I have been able to build my family home and I’ve built two warehouses for Puer and BBH.

Distributors are like parents, and we need to provide and care for those looking up to us. I believe in doing things the BBB way. I know and value the importance of sharing the opportunity with people who have not yet heard of this business. I also understand the importance of motivating those who are in the business but are not performing well, or are having thoughts of giving up because of challenges they are facing. Being in this business requires you to be patient because dealing with people is not easy, we are all different so we will not always agree or see things the same way. I have promoted various Managers and one Distributor since being at BBB. Be patient with yourself and with your business, love what you do, and your business will grow.

Cairo and his wife Nkhensani Mongwe form a formidable partnership. They are based in Tzaneen, Limpopo Province, and have been in the Botle Buhle Brands business since 2006. “When my wife joined the business, we were both employed. I worked at a micro finance company and she was an office administrator. We had an RDP house and three thatch (grass) houses. We were both employed but we were struggling financially,” says Cairo. Through hard work and support from her husband Nkhensani was promoted to manager in 2011. Later on Cairo, who had joined the business even though he initially called it “a business for women,” was also promoted to manager. According to Cairo, “the secret to success is taking the opportunity that Botle Buhle Brands gives you and fly with it.” He adds, “We took ownership of our business. Through recruiting and selling we grew from four managers to twenty eight managers and we are about to promote a new distributor.” Botle Buhle Brands has given them an opportunity to bring change in their community by creating jobs and changing the lives of people. Today they have a team of more than a thousand people. “We are fighting poverty amongst our people and changing our lives as well. Today we own a ten room house and a fleet of cars for both business and personal use. With Botle Buhle Brands anyone can change their lives for the best,” the Mongwe’s say.

Before joining BBB 15 years ago, I was working at a mine. My salary could barely take care of my family, and with that, I was later retrenched. Being unable to provide for your family is difficult, it can lead you to losing your dignity, respect and honour. My late wife and my children showed me respect even when all of this was happening, but failing to provide for them made me feel weak. Thanks to BBB, I am now a business owner, a provider for my family and a leader in my community. With BBB, I now drive the latest Toyota Hilux and a Mercedes Benz. I have also employed people who needed work and recruited some who needed the business opportunity. BBB changed my life for the best and joining the business has been a blessing for my life.

Miranda Machedi joined Botle Buhle Brands in 2008 when she took over the business from her late mother. “I was inspired by how much money my mother made at Botle Buhle Brands and because I love the finer things in life I decided to join. Before joining Botle Buhle Brands, life was just okay but that’s not what I wanted. I wanted more, I wanted the good life,” she says. “When my mother passed away I was made a Manager and I made a commitment to be great in this business. I do not fear hard work, so that’s what I did, I worked hard. With the help of my Distributor and fellow Managers I learnt more about the business. I enquired from other successful Managers how they do it and I never sat on my potential. Do not sit on your potential, work towards it. Do not sit around in poverty and fold your arms. Take the Botle Buhle Brands opportunity and make something for yourself. Stop complaining, ‘arise and shine’. Work hard for what you want, the ability is inside you. Put effort into what you do and desire because you will not get it by wishing, but rather by working. Start acting now because tomorrow might be too late,” Miranda cautions.

Onica Nkuna says she had joined many direct selling companies in the past but none of them worked for her. Even when she did well, and was labelled a top seller, her bank balance didn’t reflect that. With Botle Buhle Brands her life improved. “We could afford things we desired, but you cannot sit back and wait for blessings, you need to work so you can be blessed,” Onicca urges. She says that she always tells Sales Consultants that if you sleep instead of working your bank balance will also sleep - no magic will happen - you need to grab the opportunity.

Olga is a teacher by profession, but her salary was not enough to sustain her family. She use to wake up at 4am to bake scones to sell to school children, in an attempt to better her life. “I had tried so many other direct selling companies but all of them were a big fail, there was no change” she says. The change came when she joined Botle Buhle Brands in 2014. She explains, “I worked very hard after joining Botle Buhle Brands. I sat down and planned how to build a successful business, but still there were many challenges. When starting a new venture challenges are expected but because I prepared myself for this business, by listening and learning from testimonials of other consultants and managers, I was strong enough to withstand them.” Today, through Botle Buhle Brands, she is able to do far more than she could with her teacher salary alone. She not only has more than enough to provide for her family, she can also help her community. She has built a church and is in the process of building another one. Olga’s advice is to get up, take the first step, and change your life for the best.