WHAT initially looked like a nursery or SMME market in Gates Street, Uitenhage, turned out to be a car wash like never seen before in town.
“I like challenges. You need to be a hustler in business, your eyes must be fast. You always need to be on the lookout for where the opportunities are. Therefore, my company is called Icebo, which means make a plan,” said local entrepreneur Siya Qusheka who has multiple businesses, one of them the new washing bay at Transnet’s recreational sports ground.
He started a car wash business at 71 Caledon Street three years ago. It closed owing to high running costs, but Siya said it was not a failure, rather a case of gaining valuable business experience that he now applies to his new car wash venture. He also sees it as marketing years, as customers were satisfied with the service, and are looking forward to the new car wash. It was this exact venture of his that broadened his entrepreneurial mind, sensitized him about the needs of his employees and exposed him to more opportunities.
“Previously I was not exposed to do business with different race groups, which the car wash opened my eyes to. I also experienced that there was not a huge turnaround of employees at the car wash. These things set my mind alight and I realized the public are trusting the workers, as they are honest and have a passion for what they do. The harder they work, the more they earn and can afford a healthy meal, meaning they come to work fresh and full of energy.
Changing people’s lives
“I do not want someone to come to me and ask for money, I want to create an environment where that person can earn the money. You cannot call yourself a businessman if you do not create jobs,” said Siya.
It not only is about creating jobs, but for employees also to take responsibility and ownership as well.
“I was tired of running this business from my boot – meaning being on my own, the only one to benefit – whilst others rely on me for salaries. I decided it was time to move on, to involve the others to also have an input in the business, to take ownership and benefit from their involvement.
“Your workers are your best asset. Money is nothing. When you lose it, you can make money again, but when you lose a worker, you lose a person whose life might be destroyed. Therefore, you need a heart and invest in your staff and together your business will grow,” said Siya.
He is ever present at his businesses and enjoys interacting with clients. “Clients should know the business too. They should know that they are not only paying for a service, but their money will help to better the lives of those delivering the service.”
Changing the environment
At first when Siya visited the recreational sports grounds, it was filthy and dangerous. Before he started the construction, he cleaned the site and planted indigenous drought resistant plants.
“It needs to be beautified; one does not want to go to one’s job and the environment is not nice and full of filth. One also needs to respect one’s neighbours and operate taking them into consideration. We need one another to create a better community.”
Prior to starting with the construction, he visited the vagrants that are living in the old club house, communicated with them, and tried to find a way also to influence their lives for the better.
“It does not matter what your background is or where you come from. I want to know what is your mission in life, what is your plan, where are you going to in life … are you enjoying the life that you live traumatizing others or do you want to do good? If you want to change, follow in my footsteps, because I want you to do good.
“What kind of society are we creating? We need to get involved to help bring about change. Even if I change the lives of two people, it will be fine. Change is change, it is not about numbers, but about that one life that has changed, and that person has to continue to do good. It is a must.”
Car wash with a difference
“Icebo Car Wash is a family friendly car wash. Thus, the layout includes a raised deck, where Wi-Fi will be installed so that clients can sit and work whilst their cars are being washed. The next phase will include a kiddies’ outdoor entertainment area,” said Siya.
There will be one washing bay and a drying area for ten cars with ample additional parking. According to Siya they would be able to accommodate 150 cars daily.
“We are in support of saving water, therefore we will install several water tanks to harvest rainwater from the roofs and the water used to wash the cars will be recycled. We will waste no water; what we will not use we will water the plants and trees with.”
The neighbourhood supports Icebo Car Wash and embraces the changes that he has already instilled in an area.
