In May 2023, Kholofelo Nengwenda opened her second Galito’s franchise. Her first Galito’s was a Galipod an innovative, all-in-one container-based store with a funky urban vibe, designed to be set up quickly close to where there is demand. The second is a full-on Galito’s store located in the busy Boulders Shopping Centre, also in Midrand.
An entrepreneur to her fingertips, Kholofelo opened her first business, a cleaning company, in 2014 at the age of 24, and was inspired to do more. Exposure to a Galito’s roadshow showed her that she could actually become a franchisee of a brand she knew well. The Galipod concept was perfect for her as it aims to lower the barriers to entry for entrepreneurs and means that areas where there is no shopping mall can be served.
“The Galipod concept reduces the risk for franchisees, as the company can repurchase and relocate the facility if circumstances change,” says Louis Germishuys, founder of Galito’s.
The Galipod has seating for 12 and can be set up relatively quickly as compared to a conventional store.
Kholofelo’s Galipod took off from Day One. She says that the support she received from Galito’s played a big role in her achievement. Like most entrepreneurs, she’s an enthusiast—the company’s support team helped her to assess the site properly and took her through the process of negotiating the lease agreement.
Kholofelo says that the franchise model is a great way to build a strong business with little initial capital. The fact that Galito’s is growing and already has an international presence also multiplies the opportunities. The major benefit of becoming a franchisee is the power of the brand—building a brand can take years. In every sense, a franchise creates a fast track for an ambitious young entrepreneur.
“For a go-getter like Kholofelo, a franchise provides a tried-and-tested structure, training and support to which she can bring her energy and vision. There’s still a lot of room for the franchisee to adapt to the local market and what it wants,” Germishuys says.
The winning combination
The combination of wise guide and entrepreneur is powerful. Figures from the Franchise Association of South Africa show that more than 90% of franchises succeed. Franchisors like Galito’s provide a tried-and-tested way for entrepreneurs to realise their dreams—and, in the process, create the jobs the country needs.
Galito’s has already created some 3 000 jobs, Germishuys’ great pride. SMEs provide an estimated 60% of all employment opportunities in the country and franchising can be the best vehicle for job creation and economic growth.
On the ground, Kholofelo’s two stores employ some 18 people, and she’s already thinking about two more for the Boulders store. Her growing mini-empire provides more than just a job—as it expands, she says, there will be space for more senior roles.
What is her advice? “Start small but have a vision of where you want to go—and play to your strengths. Where you fall short, the franchisor is there to provide the crucial support,” she says. “The Galito’s franchises are my springboard to turning my business dream into reality.”
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