Ever-increasing growth and the joy of welcoming countless new faces to the store this summer.
This is what Paint and Plant wished for when it blew out one candle on its birthday cake of business success this month.
The local paint-and-plant specialist opened its doors on the corner of Victoria Road and Reitz Street in Somerset West on Friday 1 October last year. It is an addition to the revamped hardware and building-supply store, TimBuild Somerset West. The latter was relaunched with the new name earlier this year (“TimBuild Somerset West: Same location, staff and service,” DistrictMail, 24 March).
Fast-forward to the present day, and management celebrates gratitude for a business that has come into its own after a year of trading and the precious complement of nine staffers dedicated to outstanding service.
“It has been a year of growing one’s faith and believing in the potential of the staff. It has been wonderful seeing the staff come into their full potential and has been great seeing the reaction of the public to our new venture and cementing our business in the local community,” shared director Stuart Oliver, who heads the business with knowledgeable and experienced fellow director Dirk Viviers and Siegfried Schoonees. Together the power trio remains at the helm of operations, always on the look-out for opportunities to further business growth.
“We have always spoken about opening a specialised paint shop and nursery and so when the opportunity presented itself, we took the leap of faith,” shared Oliver, who takes charge of the financial side of things, while Viviers sees to the overall management of the business and paint procurement, and Siegfried handles day-to-day operations.
“I think the greatest reward for us was being able to provide new employment opportunities in a very difficult economy for some amazing people.”
The business, which offers quality paints (including a full-range of Plascon brands) and paint preparation products, as well as plants and garden maintenance products, has recorded exponential growth. By the end of its first year it has managed to achieve budgets set out over a three-year period. Furthermore, the brand has become synonymous with excellent customer service. Avid do-it-yourselfers and green fingers popping into the store are guaranteed of great advice from employees on painting and all things to do with the garden. They can also look forward to quality paints, seasonal plants in stock and a wide range of irrigation equipment and maintenance products, even for the pool.
Paint and Plant also boasts a “wonderful” talk show hosted by Radio Helderberg, which shares and discusses useful tips with listeners.
In celebration of its first birthday, Paint and Plant has run some amazing specials for customers, have been giving away weekly prizes via lucky draws, and have treated staff to an indulgent lunch as a token of appreciation.
“We would like to extend a big ‘thank you’ to both our customers and staff for their contribution to the success of Paint and Plant and making it a wonderful place to work or shop.”
