Young Entrepreneur Manufacturing Candles with Makatu Tshivula l Episode 10

01:51 (Introduction) 06:41 (Funding to start the business) 10:06 (Running a manufacturing business) 12:08 (How to handle rejection) 13:46 (Keeping motivated) 16:37 (Staying competitive) 21:45 (Value proposition) 24:32 (Financial Intelligence) 29:00 (Reseller opportunities) 37:52 (Lessons learned on entrepreneurial journey) Overview: Makatu Tshivhula, founder of The Light Candle, shares how a Soweto-based candle business grew into a trusted supplier for leading corporate brands. Recorded at the TEA Summit & Awards 2025, this episode covers: • Building a premium product brand • Securing and servicing corporate clients • Scaling creative businesses from township markets In partnership with Nedbank Small Business Services, this conversation reinforces the role of strong banking and advisory support in helping SMEs grow sustainably. Join Nedbank, South Africa’s best SME bank and take your business to the next level. Subscribe for more Small Business Legend stories Also available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts #SmallBusinessLegend #AfricanWellness #NedbankSmallBusiness #TEA Guest Bio: Makatu Tshivhula is a young South African entrepreneur and the founder and owner of The Light Candles, a successful candle manufacturing company based in Soweto. He started his business using manual molds and later scaled up production with funding from a silent partner. His business has grown stronger over the years, becoming known as "Africa's First Black Youth-Owned Candle Manufacturing Factory" by some sources. The business operates from a shop in Pimville, Soweto.The company produces a range of candles, including household, scented, and pillar candles, known for their quality and long burn time (11-12 hours). His candles are popular among churches, traditional healers, event organizers, and the general community, especially during periods of load shedding in South Africa. A key part of Tshivhula's mission is to tackle youth unemployment in South Africa by equipping young people with skills and creating job opportunities as he expands his business. About the podcast: Kasi Business Podcast is powered by TEA. A weekly business podcast that seeks to unlocking opportunities and practical resource tools to start and grow your business. We also profile corporate leaders, legendary black business leaders, industry practitioners and entrepreneurs. The podcast is hosted by Bulelani Balabala who is an awarded entrepreneur, business speaker and author. This podcast is aimed at unlocking opportunities and practical skills for micro-enterprises, start up, small businesses while sharing insight with professionals and policy makers. For guest enquiries and partnerships, get in touch with us: E: [email protected] T: 011 572 1033