Who is Geoffrey Mtonga & how he started his own business
Geoffrey Mtonga is a 29 year old Chipata upcoming businessman who has ventured and is making notable strides in the carpentry business while others still think carpentry is a thing of a past, not fashionable and rather opt to get employed.
Mtonga is the last born in a typical large Zambian family of 7 and having being raised in Chipata, the capital of Eastern province of Zambia, he did his primary and secondary school right in the far eastern city of Chipata, and then did General Agriculture before going to pursue his Diploma in Secondary teaching.
Believe in yourself, only then can others believe in you
In an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times-ZBT News analyst, Mtonga explained how he believed in himself and his ability to make furniture for himself upon observing how it was done by more experienced and established carpenters.
“I never really planned to get into carpentry but interest grow as I observed how furniture was made by some other carpenters and then came a time when I wanted new furniture made for me, I then thought why not try to make my own of which I did. I had always had this hidden interest in carpentry”, he narrated.
Start with whatever amount of capital you have
Mtonga says that was the beginning of his capentery business journey as many who visited his home and saw his works could not belive but praises him. From what these potential customers were praising me on, I knew that I was onto something here.
With only K70 to buy him basic tools such as a saw and hummer and two promising customers at inception, he began to make furniture. He stated that the most important thing to do is to start.
Today the company has grown with it having more than just a hummer and saws, but also power tools such sawing machines and other equipments as well as employing 2 permanent workers. We also get extra temporal workers when we have more orders.
So, instead of compounding the current high levels of youth seeking formal employment, we instead have created two permanent jobs and we plan to expand and create more jobs as we grow our business.
Every business has challenges, find solutions or alternatives
He further said that just like there are challenges in other fields of even formal work, he too faces challenges in the carpentry and furniture business.
One of them being the cost of materials. As Zambia had a thin local manufacturing base and does not produce its own materials, we have to buy imported materials from countries like South Africa, Malawi and China and making the cost of landing the material expenses very high.
Use social media to advertise your business
Mtonga said that with the help of social media platforms like facebook, twitter and you tube, he has been able to attract a notable number of audiences as he uses it for advertising his works and making his business reach to most parts of the country.
Advertising on social media platforms is much more cost effective especially for a small business, you can also reach out to business friendly media like ZBT who are able to support local small and medium size businesses.
Geotrice Furniture is now 4 years and continues to grow
Geotrice Furniture was birthed in 2015 and through the 3-4 years of operations now, the company has grown financially from just having to make 1 set of furniture in a period of 2-3 weeks.
From making a profit of K1, 500 per month from day two sets of furniture per month, to making 4-5 sets in a period of 1-2 weeks and a minimum profit of K6,000- K7, 000 per month within a period of 3 to four years (profit after all direct expenses and depending on the availability of the material) is an excellent growth rate.
According to ZBT analysts projections, if Geotrice furniture sustains this growth rate in profits for the next 10 years, they could be making K30,000 profit after direct costs per month and K360,000 per annum.
Zambians should support local businesses and buy local
There is this old notion that every thing imported is more durable and of better quality, but its now clear that some of the products we make locally are even of better quality and more durable.
Buying local needs to be encouraged and those of us who make local products and services need to raise to the challenge. Buying local is what will grow our country. Even employment levels from small and medium size businesses would also grow.
Sustained growth and skills development is key
“I believe we as a company and me as the founder are still growing and I want to nature my skills. I plan to work even harder as my dreams are to get bigger machines that will enable me to grow my company and compete at national and international level”.
“I would also love to partner with other suitable people or companies that would come along as my wish is to work with companies like carnival furniture’s, fun city etc who can start stocking out products”, Mtonga told ZBT
Mtonga further said that there a lot of youths out there coming out of grade 12 and colleges. If you look at the available formal jobs, it’s impossible that all can be offered jobs at once and in as much as it is hard to find a formal job out there, it’s high time we all realised our potential and ability.
Follow your passion and God given gift
Let’s identify our God-given gift and put them to use as it doesn’t matter whether the beginning is small, rather believe in yourself and nature your skill to make it work unlike just sitting and doing nothing.
Article by ZBT news analyst Grace Namunyola. If you have a story or know someone who has one that would inspire others in business, email us: editor@zambiabusinesstimes.com
Photo below is Geoffrey Mtonga and some of his works.
