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.

Khensani Sibongile Shiluvane, a 48-year-old mother of three girls, has been a successful Botle Buhle Brands manager since 2017. She says, “I joined Botle Buhle Brands at a bad time: I was in debt, poverty and a whole lot of suffering. Things were so bad for me and my family. I remember my 12-year-old daughter once suggested she goes and looks for a part-time job…at the age of 12. That really broke my heart because it showed that the suffering was getting to my kids. I was tired of suffering, poverty and hardship and I decided to do something to better my life, that is when I joined Botle Buhle Brands. Today, through Botle Buhle Brands and my hard work as a manager, I own a brand-new Ford Ranger that I bought for myself. My children’s school fees are always up to date at all times. I bought church instruments cash, “zwa-quality.” I have created a job opportunity by hiring my own P.A and most importantly, I’m in the process of building for a less fortunate family. All this I’m doing through money earned at Botle Buhle Brands.”

“I was previously working at a hardware store and because I was uneducated, I saw nothing wrong with the little money I was getting. When you are uneducated you are just happy when you get a job. At the time it was enough, as long as I was getting my pap and cabbage to eat daily, I was happy. Until I learnt about Botle Buhle Brands and I quit my job. I listened to all the advice, testimonials and motivation that was given to me and learnt from it. The only way to show that you have heard and understood is through action. I took all that I learnt and put it to practice at all times.” “I never in my wildest dream thought I would have my own car but because of Botle Buhle Brands I bought my first car; it was a Honda. I also bought my stock van last year. Life has changed a lot. I managed to extend my RDP house. It used to be a one room house but I added a few more rooms, an office, and a stock room. My kids now attend a private school and I’m able to pay for their education myself. There is so much hope and opportunity at Botle Buhle Brands; people need to know about it.”

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.