South Africa rewards operators who solve obvious pain—power, water, safety, paperwork—and who package it with reliability.
Below is a pragmatic list of 100 businesses that can work now. For each, I give the fit, the upside and downside, plus my take on execution.
Energy & Utilities (1–10)
Quick legend: ???? Capex (L/M/H) • ???? Margin (L/M/H) • ⏱ Time to profit (Fast/Med/Slow)
1) Solar PV & Inverter Installations ????M–H ????H ⏱Med
Why SA: intermittent power makes rooftop PV mainstream for homes/SMEs. Upside: durable demand, recurring maintenance. Downside: licensing, cash-flow gaps, theft risk. My take: sell bundles (panels + inverter + batteries + monitoring) with financing and SLAs.
2) Backup Power Rentals (Generators/Power Stations) ????M ????M ⏱Fast
Event venues and SMEs rent during outages. Upside: quick paybacks, weekend spikes. Downside: asset wear, logistics. My take: standardize kits and prepaid deposits; add delivery within 2 hours.
3) Battery Reconditioning & Second-Life Packs ????M ????H ⏱Med
Refurbish lithium packs for backup systems. Upside: attractive margins. Downside: safety, QA. My take: niche on quality—offer warranties and cycle-life testing.
4) Solar Geyser & Heat Pump Retrofits ????M ????M ⏱Med
Heated water is a big household cost. Upside: clear ROI. Downside: install complexity, callbacks. My take: target complexes/body corporates.
5) Energy Audits for SMEs ????L ????M ⏱Fast
Audit → quick wins (LEDs, timers, HVAC). Upside: consulting margins. Downside: sales-driven. My take: audit + implement + finance through savings.
6) EV Charger Installation (Commercial Sites) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Future-leaning malls and office parks. Upside: early-mover contracts. Downside: slower adoption curve. My take: bundle with solar carports.
7) Appliance Efficiency Upgrades ????L ????M ⏱Fast
Smart plugs, strips, timers. Upside: simple offers. Downside: small ticket sizes. My take: sell as “Power Saver Pack” with install.
8) Street/Complex Solar Lighting ????M ????M ⏱Med
Estates want lights independent of grid. Upside: bulk orders. Downside: vandalism risk. My take: maintenance-inclusive contracts.
9) UPS-as-a-Service for Offices ????M ????H ⏱Med
Pay-monthly power continuity. Upside: subscription. Downside: asset risk. My take: SLA-backed uptime guarantees.
10) Off-grid Farm Power Systems ????H ????H ⏱Slow
Irrigation and cold rooms need stable power. Upside: large tickets. Downside: long sales cycles. My take: pilot on one pump, expand.
Water & Environmental (11–18)
11) Borehole Drilling & Filtration ????H ????H ⏱Med
Water security sells. Upside: high value. Downside: permits, geology risk. My take: fixed-price surveys before drilling.
12) Domestic Water Tanks & Pump Installations ????M ????M ⏱Fast
Rain capture + backup. Upside: quick installs. Downside: cheap competitors. My take: neat pipework + pressure-stable pumps = referrals.
13) Greywater Recycling for Gardens ????M ????M ⏱Med
Water reuse saves bills. Upside: estates like it. Downside: hygiene concerns. My take: standardized kits and annual service.
14) Point-of-Use Purifiers (SMEs/Homes) ????L ????M ⏱Fast
Filters at taps. Upside: repeat cartridges. Downside: education burden. My take: subscription filter replacement.
15) Commercial Carwash Water-Recovery Systems ????M ????M ⏱Med
Save water, meet by-laws. Upside: compliance driver. Downside: install complexity. My take: finance + maintenance contract.
16) E-waste Collection & Refurb ????M ????M ⏱Med
Phones/laptops resold. Upside: supply plenty. Downside: data wiping liability. My take: certificates of destruction or refurb grades.
17) Tyre-to-Crumb Recycling ????H ????H ⏱Slow
Rubberized products. Upside: industrial buyers. Downside: capex, feedstock logistics. My take: pre-sold offtake contracts.
18) Composting & Organic Waste Pickup ????L–M ????M ⏱Med
Restaurants, estates. Upside: recurring fees. Downside: smell/logistics. My take: sealed bins + weekly route + sell compost.
Security & Safety (19–23)
19) CCTV & Alarm Install/Monitoring ????M ????M ⏱Fast
High demand everywhere. Upside: monitoring annuity. Downside: race-to-bottom on hardware. My take: charge for response SLAs, not boxes.
20) Access Control for Complexes ????M ????M ⏱Med
RFID/biometric gates. Upside: bulk contracts. Downside: integration headaches. My take: be the vendor who actually documents wiring.
21) Remote Guarding with AI Cameras ????M ????H ⏱Med
Cameras + analytics + voice-down. Upside: margins > manned guarding. Downside: false positives. My take: start on small estates before big malls.
22) Security Lighting & Perimeter Systems ????M ????M ⏱Fast
Beams, fences, sirens. Upside: straightforward installs. Downside: maintenance callouts. My take: annual service plans.
23) Vehicle Tracker Fitment (SMEs) ????L–M ????M ⏱Fast
Fleet protection. Upside: subscriptions. Downside: device theft. My take: volume pricing + instant swap SLA.
Food & Beverage (24–33)
24) Ghost Kitchen (Delivery-Only) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Delivery demand is stable. Upside: no front-of-house costs. Downside: aggregator fees. My take: niche cuisine + own driver pool for repeaters.
25) Biltong & Droëwors Brand ????M ????H ⏱Med
Local staple. Upside: high margins if quality. Downside: hygiene, spoilage. My take: lean into traceability and spice IP.
26) Artisan Bakery (Sourdough/Croissants) ????M ????M ⏱Slow
Upside: premium pricing. Downside: early mornings, skilled staff. My take: wholesale to cafes + weekend markets.
27) Meal-Prep for Professionals ????L–M ????M ⏱Fast
Healthy convenience. Upside: subscriptions. Downside: delivery logistics. My take: fixed menus, tight routes.
28) Township Fast-Casual Chain (Pilot) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Local demand, price-sensitive. Upside: scale. Downside: sourcing consistency. My take: standardize SKUs and training.
29) Mobile Coffee Carts (Office Parks) ????L–M ????M ⏱Fast
Footfall-driven. Upside: quick cashflow. Downside: weather, permissions. My take: anchor with corporate contracts.
30) Micro-Factory Snacks (Chips/Nuts) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Private-label potential. Upside: retail margins. Downside: packaging compliance. My take: sell to farm stalls and forecourts.
31) Vegan/Gluten-Free Niche Brand ????M ????M ⏱Slow
Urban pockets love it. Upside: loyal audience. Downside: higher costs. My take: keep SKU count tiny at start.
32) Craft Beverages (Kombucha, Ginger Beer) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Upside: branding leverage. Downside: QA, shelf-life. My take: kegs for cafes first, cans later.
33) Corporate Catering Boxes ????L–M ????M ⏱Fast
Meetings/events. Upside: predictable orders. Downside: short lead times. My take: limited menus + bulk pricing.
Agriculture & Agri-Processing (34–45)
34) Hydroponic Leafy Greens (Urban) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Water-efficient, year-round. Upside: restaurant contracts. Downside: power dependency. My take: pair with solar/inverter.
35) Blueberry Farming (Right Regions) ????H ????H ⏱Slow
Export demand. Upside: strong prices. Downside: capex, agronomy expertise. My take: start small under contract.
36) Macadamia Orchards ????H ????H ⏱Slow
Premium nut. Upside: export-grade margins. Downside: long time to yield. My take: interplant short-term cash crops.
37) Rooibos Processing (Regional) ????M–H ????M ⏱Med
Local heritage. Upside: brand story. Downside: location-specific supply. My take: specialty blends, not commodity.
38) Avocado Production ????H ????H ⏱Slow
Strong demand. Upside: price resilience. Downside: water and theft. My take: secure orchards + staggered cultivars.
39) Free-Range Eggs (Pastured) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Ethical premium. Upside: retail loyalty. Downside: biosecurity. My take: sell subscriptions direct.
40) Microgreens for Chefs ????L ????H ⏱Fast
Rapid cycles. Upside: high margins. Downside: fragile logistics. My take: twice-weekly deliveries.
41) Chili & Sauce Manufacturing ????M ????M ⏱Med
Local flavors. Upside: brandable. Downside: shelf-stability and labeling. My take: small-batch scarcity marketing.
42) Dried Fruit Processing ????M ????M ⏱Med
Extend shelf life. Upside: export potential. Downside: energy costs. My take: solar-assisted dehydration.
43) Beekeeping & Honey ????L–M ????M ⏱Med
Pollination side-income. Upside: value-add wax products. Downside: theft, diseases. My take: secure apiaries, unique varietals.
44) Game Meat Processing (Licensed) ????H ????M ⏱Med
Niche but premium. Upside: restaurants, tourists. Downside: regulation. My take: partner with game farms.
45) Essential Oils (Fynbos/Lavender) ????M ????M ⏱Slow
Cosmetics demand. Upside: high value per kg. Downside: agronomy variability. My take: pre-sell to formulators.
Logistics & Mobility (46–51)
46) Last-Mile Delivery for SMEs ????M ????M ⏱Med
E-commerce growth. Upside: recurring routes. Downside: fuel and traffic. My take: cluster by suburb, fixed windows.
47) Cold-Chain Scooter Delivery ????M ????M ⏱Med
Pharma/food. Upside: premium rates. Downside: equipment maintenance. My take: guarantee temp logs.
48) Medical Courier Services ????L–M ????M ⏱Fast
Labs, clinics. Upside: predictable demand. Downside: strict handling. My take: SOPs and proof-of-chain.
49) Corporate Shuttle Services ????M ????M ⏱Med
Office parks, events. Upside: contracts. Downside: utilization risk. My take: shared shuttles across tenants.
50) Mobile Tyre & Battery Service ????M ????M ⏱Fast
On-site replacements. Upside: convenience premium. Downside: stock variety. My take: fleet clients first.
51) Niche Removal/Moving ????M ????M ⏱Fast
Small apartments/offices. Upside: steady demand. Downside: labor intensive. My take: transparent pricing per cubic meter.
E-commerce & Retail (52–59)
52) Niche Online Store (Local Brands) ????L–M ????M ⏱Med
Curate SA-made goods. Upside: storytelling. Downside: returns logistics. My take: small catalog, fast shipping.
53) Print-on-Demand SA Themes ????L ????M ⏱Fast
No inventory. Upside: low risk. Downside: QC and margins. My take: limited drops, premium blanks.
54) Bulk Buy Club (Township/Estates) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Collective savings. Upside: stickiness. Downside: ops heavy. My take: WhatsApp ordering + fixed pickup points.
55) Spaza-to-Door Aggregation ????M ????M ⏱Med
Digitize local stock. Upside: dense routes. Downside: supplier management. My take: standard price lists, weekly promos.
56) Beauty Supply Wholesale (Braids/Wigs) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Strong demand. Upside: cash sales. Downside: trend-driven SKUs. My take: data-driven reorders.
57) Thrift & Upcycled Fashion ????L ????M ⏱Fast
Value market. Upside: margins. Downside: curation time. My take: specialize—denim, vintage tees, workwear.
58) Party/Events Hire (Decor/Marquees) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Weekends hum. Upside: bundles. Downside: damage risk. My take: deposits + cleaning fees.
59) Vape/Alt-Nic Retail (Compliant) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Demand exists; check rules. Upside: repeat sales. Downside: regulation shifts. My take: ID checks and location strategy.
B2B Services & Professional (60–69)
60) Company Registration & CIPC Filings ????L ????M ⏱Fast
Founders hate paperwork. Upside: repeat compliance. Downside: price pressure. My take: bundle tax/VAT.
61) Payroll & HR Outsourcing ????L–M ????M ⏱Med
SMEs need it. Upside: sticky. Downside: errors costly. My take: SLA + monthly fee + 13th check special.
62) B-BBEE Advisory (Ethical) ????L ????H ⏱Med
Complex landscape. Upside: high value. Downside: reputation risk. My take: straight talk, clean structures.
63) Tender & Compliance Consulting ????L ????M ⏱Med
Vendors need help. Upside: success fees. Downside: hit rate. My take: pick sectors, build templates.
64) SME Accounting & SARS VAT ????L ????M ⏱Med
Perennial demand. Upside: annuity. Downside: seasonality. My take: flat-fee packs + WhatsApp support.
65) Procurement Aggregation for SMMEs ????M ????M ⏱Med
Group buying. Upside: supplier rebates. Downside: wrangling members. My take: prepaid wallets.
66) Creative Agency (Brand + Content) ????L–M ????M ⏱Med
Digital spend keeps growing. Upside: retainers. Downside: churn risk. My take: show outcomes, not moodboards.
67) SEO/Performance Marketing for Local SMEs ????L ????M ⏱Med
Phone calls > vanity metrics. Upside: measurable ROI. Downside: expectation gaps. My take: call tracking + 90-day sprints.
68) BPO/Micro-Call Center ????M ????M ⏱Med
Global clients love ZA accents/time zone. Upside: dollar revenue. Downside: staffing. My take: start niche—customer success, bookings.
69) IT Support & Managed Services ????M ????M ⏱Med
Keep SMEs online. Upside: contracts. Downside: 24/7 expectations. My take: tiered SLAs and remote-first fixes.
Tourism & Hospitality (70–76)
70) Boutique Guesthouse (Urban/Cape) ????H ????M ⏱Slow
Tourism rebounds. Upside: premium ADR. Downside: seasonality. My take: experiences > rooms (hikes, wine, food).
71) Airbnb Management for Owners ????L–M ????M ⏱Med
Hands-free hosting. Upside: scalable. Downside: platform policy swings. My take: dynamic pricing + cleaning ops.
72) Guided Township & Cultural Tours (Ethical) ????L ????M ⏱Med
Authentic experiences. Upside: international demand. Downside: safety/logistics. My take: community partnerships, fair pay.
73) Wine/Beer Tasting Tours ????M ????M ⏱Med
Cape advantage. Upside: group bookings. Downside: licensing/transport. My take: small groups, high service.
74) Safari Photo Workshops ????M ????M ⏱Med
High-ticket learning trips. Upside: premium pricing. Downside: coordination. My take: partner with lodges, fixed dates.
75) Event Planning & Production ????M ????M ⏱Med
Corporate/private. Upside: referrals. Downside: high stress. My take: strong vendor network, checklists.
76) Specialty Food Experiences (Braai Classes) ????L–M ????M ⏱Fast
Culinary culture sells. Upside: social shareability. Downside: venue/weather. My take: bundle with market tours.
Tech & Digital (77–84)
77) Web/App Development Studio ????L–M ????M ⏱Med
SMEs/government projects. Upside: export clients. Downside: scope creep. My take: fixed-price MVPs.
78) No-Code Automation for SMEs ????L ????M ⏱Fast
Automate ops. Upside: quick wins. Downside: tool sprawl. My take: pick a stack; document.
79) Cybersecurity Audits (SME) ????M ????H ⏱Med
Attacks rising. Upside: high value. Downside: trust barrier. My take: start with phishing sims + backups.
80) Data Analytics Dashboards ????L–M ????M ⏱Med
Turn chaos into insight. Upside: recurring. Downside: messy data. My take: standard connectors + templates.
81) Creator Content Studio (Short-Form) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Brands need vertical video. Upside: retainers. Downside: trends churn. My take: productized packages.
82) Drone Videography (Licensed) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Real estate, tourism, agri. Upside: striking visuals. Downside: weather and regs. My take: pre-flight compliance + shot lists.
83) SaaS Micro-Tools for ZA SMEs ????M ????H ⏱Slow
Solve tiny pains (quotes, bookings). Upside: subscriptions. Downside: dev time. My take: build once, sell forever.
84) Tech Refurb & Resale ????M ????M ⏱Med
Affordable devices. Upside: big market. Downside: warranties. My take: grading standards + 90-day guarantee.
Education & Training (85–90)
85) After-School Tutoring (STEM/Matric) ????L ????M ⏱Fast
Real need. Upside: steady peaks. Downside: scheduling. My take: packages aligned to exam timetables.
86) Coding/AI Bootcamps (Practical) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Employability focus. Upside: corporate scholarships. Downside: outcomes pressure. My take: job-linked curricula.
87) Artisan Skills Training (Plumbing/Solar) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Trades shortage. Upside: instant employability. Downside: workshop capex. My take: short, competency-based modules.
88) Health & Safety Certifications ????L–M ????M ⏱Med
Mandatory for many sites. Upside: recurring refreshers. Downside: paperwork. My take: on-site classes for companies.
89) Language Training (ENG/AFR/ISIZ) ????L ????M ⏱Fast
Work and study needs. Upside: flexible delivery. Downside: attrition. My take: cohort-based with outcomes.
90) Corporate Soft-Skills Academies ????L–M ????M ⏱Med
Sales, leadership, service. Upside: B2B budgets. Downside: commoditization. My take: measure behavior change.
Health, Beauty & Wellness (91–94)
91) Mobile Beauty & Hair (Natural Hair Focus) ????L–M ????M ⏱Fast
Convenience wins. Upside: low overheads. Downside: scheduling gaps. My take: estate pop-ups on weekends.
92) Boutique Fitness (Pilates/Strength) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Community-driven. Upside: memberships. Downside: churn. My take: small classes, real coaching.
93) Nutrition Coaching + Meal Prep ????L–M ????M ⏱Fast
Pair advice with food. Upside: upsell meals. Downside: compliance and results. My take: 8-week programs.
94) Physiotherapy/Sports Recovery Studio ????M ????M ⏱Med
Athlete market. Upside: packages. Downside: qualified staff. My take: partner with gyms/teams.
Home & Personal Services (95–100)
95) Commercial Cleaning (Offices/Estates) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Predictable contracts. Upside: recurring revenue. Downside: staff turnover. My take: QA audits + supervisor bonuses.
96) Post-Construction Cleaning ????L–M ????M ⏱Fast
Developers need it. Upside: premium fees. Downside: dust-heavy PPE. My take: priced per m², strict checklists.
97) Laundry Pickup & Delivery ????M ????M ⏱Med
Time-saver. Upside: subscriptions. Downside: routing. My take: app-light WhatsApp ordering works.
98) Handyman & Minor Renovations ????L–M ????M ⏱Fast
Evergreen. Upside: referrals. Downside: scope creep. My take: flat-rate jobs + clear materials policy.
99) Elder Home-Care (Non-Medical) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Aging population. Upside: high trust and retention. Downside: staffing and vetting. My take: rigorous background checks.
100) Pet Services (Grooming/Boarding) ????M ????M ⏱Med
Pet spend is resilient. Upside: loyal clients. Downside: seasonality (holidays). My take: pre-book peak seasons.
How I’d pick my top three (today)
- Solar PV bundles with financing for estates and SME strips: sell outcomes (lower bills, uptime), not hardware.
- SME payroll + SARS/VAT compliance pods: sticky annuity revenue with low capex.
- Last-mile delivery for clustered SMEs: fixed windows, dense routes, prepaid credits.
Operator notes that save you pain
- Cash flow beats vanity. Favor annuity contracts over one-off hits.
- Standardize. Tight SKUs, tight offers, tight scripts—speed wins.
- Price for reliability. People pay more to never worry again.
- Document everything. SOPs turn chaos into scale.
- Regulatory sanity. Where licensing applies (health, security, transport, food), do it right the first time.
Launch Guide: How to Pick, Validate, and Scale a South African Business (Without Donating Profit to Chaos)
This goes under your “100 Most Profitable Businesses” list—a practical, no-fluff playbook you can hand to a co-founder and say: “Do this first.” It’s opinionated, operator-grade, and tuned for South Africa’s realities (power, permits, cash flow, trust).
Step 1: Choose like an operator, not a dreamer
Filter ideas through three lenses:
- Painkiller: Does it remove a real headache (power, water, safety, time, compliance)?
- Payback window: Can first assets pay back within 6–12 months?
- Repeatability: Is there annuity (contracts, subscriptions, maintenance), not just once-off gigs?
If an idea fails two of the three, keep scrolling.
Step 2: Validate demand in 7 days
Forget surveys that flatter your ego. You want proof.
- Street test: Walk three complexes or a small business strip. Ask for quotes on their problem and offer an install date. Count pre-orders.
- WhatsApp micro-launch: One poster, one offer, one suburb. Collect deposits or appointment slots.
- Price discovery: Quote at the number that makes unit economics work (see sheet below). If nobody blinks, you priced too low.
Step 3: Minimal legal setup (get this right early)
- CIPC registration and a proper business bank account (for FICA and clean books).
- SARS tax setup (income tax, PAYE/UIF if hiring). VAT when your turnover requires it—check the current threshold with SARS, don’t guess.
- B-BBEE plan (even a simple affidavit) if you sell B2B—it unlocks doors.
- POPIA basics if you store client data (yes, WhatsApp lists count).
- Insurance: public liability at minimum; add professional indemnity, equipment, goods-in-transit as needed.
Sector-specific licenses (quick pointers)
| Sector | Typical requirement (check your city/province) |
|---|---|
| Food production/catering | Certificate of Acceptability (Health), food premises compliance |
| Security installs/monitoring | PSIRA registration; staff vetting; device compliance |
| Transport/shuttles | Operating licence where applicable, PDP for drivers, roadworthy fleet |
| Solar/electrical | Registered practitioner, municipal SSEG approvals, compliance CoCs |
| Boreholes/water | Municipal by-laws, water-use permissions where needed |
| Beauty/hair | Municipal health inspections, hygiene standards, product compliance |
| Construction/renovations | Contractor registrations where required, OHS plans, CoCs |
| Alcohol (on/off consumption) | Liquor licensing per province, signage and trading hours |
The point: do a 30-minute license map before you buy gear.
Step 4: Unit economics (the only spreadsheet you truly need)
You scale what you can measure. Use this mini-sheet before signing a lease or buying a van.
| Metric | Formula | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution margin per job | Price − (Direct materials + Direct labor + Variable ops) | ≥ 40% for services; ≥ 30% for product |
| True CAC | Marketing spend ÷ New paying customers | Recover CAC in ≤ 2 months for services |
| Payback on capex | Asset cost ÷ Monthly net cash from that asset | ≤ 12 months |
| Utilization (assets) | Billable hours ÷ Available hours | ≥ 65% sustained |
| Cash conversion cycle | Days inventory + Days receivable − Days payable | ≤ 20 days (shorter = safer) |
If these can’t work on paper, they won’t work in the wild.
Step 5: Price for reliability—not for likes
- Anchor to outcomes: “Keep your office online through load-shedding” is worth more than “we sell inverters.”
- Bundle and tier: Good/Better/Best packages. Top tier includes priority response and annual service.
- Deposits upfront: 50–70% before you mobilize. If clients resist, it’s the wrong client or the wrong pitch.
- Fuel and risk surcharges: Bake them in; don’t apologize.
Step 6: Operations architecture (the anti-chaos plan)
- SOPs for the top 10 tasks: quoting, site survey, install, QA, handover, invoicing, collections, returns, service calls, incident reports.
- Checklists on every job card (physical or app).
- Spare kits and standard SKUs—you can’t scale “custom everything.”
- Routes and windows: fixed delivery/visit windows by suburb; staff finish routes, not “infinite errands.”
Step 7: People—hire slow, standardize fast
- Contracts, background checks (especially for in-home work), and tool accountability.
- Daily stand-up: yesterday’s jobs, today’s jobs, blockers. 15 minutes, standing.
- Train for the outcome, not the task. “Install + zero callbacks” beats “install quickly.”
Step 8: Sales & marketing that actually converts
- Google Business Profile with real photos, working hours, and fast replies.
- WhatsApp first: status posts + broadcast lists for routes and promos.
- Proof beats promises: before/after shots, quick video testimonials, response-time screenshots.
- Partnerships: estates, body corporates, facility managers, churches, schools. One contract can feed a month.
- Referral bribes: cash or free service credit for every successful referral—paid same week.
Step 9: A simple 90-day launch plan
| Phase | Weeks | What you ship |
|---|---|---|
| Proof | 1–2 | License map, supplier accounts, test-market offer, 10 paid trials |
| Foundation | 3–4 | SOPs + checklists, pricing tiers, insurance live, business account funded |
| First scale | 5–8 | Lock 3 anchor clients (contracts), hire first tech/assistant, weekly KPI review |
| Stability | 9–12 | Add second route/crew or new suburb, start maintenance plans, clean books for funding |
If you miss the Proof phase target (10 paid trials), fix the offer before buying more gear.
Step 10: Risk management (the grown-up section)
- Power/Water-dependent ops: own redundancy. If you promise uptime, you need your own backup.
- Credit control: invoice on handover; stop work if overdue. One “nice” exception becomes policy.
- Safety: OHS checklists; incident logs. One accident can delete a year’s profit.
- Theft & loss: serialized assets, tool check-in/out, and zero-tolerance policy.
Step 11: KPIs that predict survival
- Quote-to-win rate (by channel).
- First-time fix rate / callback rate (for installs and services).
- Average response time (hours).
- Subscription penetration (% of clients on a plan).
- Churn (monthly).
- Owner time in ops vs growth (aim < 50% in ops by month 4).
Step 12: Contracts that save you later
- Master Service Agreement + SOW per job.
- Payment terms that trigger deposits, progress payments, and final release.
- Warranty that’s clear and finite.
- Privacy clause (POPIA) and photo consent for marketing.
- SLA with response times if you sell maintenance.
Funding without handcuffs
- Customer financing: split-pay or third-party finance so clients say yes faster.
- Supplier terms: negotiate 30 days only after you’ve proven on-time payment for 60.
- Asset-light starts: rent the van before you buy it.
- Receivables discipline: invoice same day, chase on day 7, suspend on day 14. Ritual wins.
Pricing examples (service bundles)
| Tier | What’s inside | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Basic install + standard parts + 30-day workmanship warranty | Hits price-sensitive demand without wrecking margin |
| Pro | Premium parts + priority slot + 12-month service visit | Where most clients land; best value story |
| Business | Pro + 24-hour response + loaner gear + quarterly audits | High margin, sticky, CFO-friendly |
“When do I scale?” (not yet.)
- Green lights: utilization ≥ 65% for 4 weeks, callback rate < 4%, cash buffer = 2 months fixed costs.
- Red lights: you’re adding staff to fix chaos, not to meet booked demand. Clean the system first.
My field notes for SA specifically
- Reliability is your brand. People pay to never worry again. If you answer the phone and arrive on time, you already beat 60% of the market.
- Standardize vans and kits. Same layout, same labels. New staff become productive in a week.
- Pay your suppliers early. You’ll jump their queue when stock is tight.
- Document once, reuse forever. Every solution that worked becomes a saved SOP, a template quote, and a marketing proof.
One-pager: “Should I launch this?”
If yes to all, launch. If not, fix the missing piece—then launch.
Is it a painkiller?
Can one asset pay back in a year?
Do I have three pre-orders at full price?
Do I know the permit I need and the person who signs it?
Can I explain the value in one sentence?
