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REGULARS : PERSONALITY PROFILE
that he can pay staff every Friday ,” he remembers .
Gripped by Mthimunye ’ s philosophy , Williams obliged and so it started . Their mission statement is to pay staff and ensure they are treated like human beings , to “ Grow and change other people ,” he adds . Mthimunye passed away in 2011 , after that Williams took over as the sole owner and continues to work with the same vision .
He is heavily involved in sales and marketing . “ I deal with architects , engineers , clients , building inspectors and handle all the paper work . I also decide on how money is spent with the help of a committee .”
Having worked ( and he still works ) in the corporate and media industry , which taught him how to approach and deal with clients . “ I came with a corporate background which has a keep-things-tight and focused attitude . The construction industry , when it comes to payment , is ill-disciplined , things that aren ’ t done in the corporate world , are done in the construction sector .
“ We decided we needed to change this . When we go into people ’ s homes , we communicate with them and ensure when we leave that it is spotlessly clean ,” he shares .
Making it
As a 100 % black-owned company , they have had challenges of their own where clients rejected them based on their skin colour . “ It was difficult to break into the market as more than 90 % of the industry is white-owned . In the first year I had people ask for Mthimunye and ask about my nationality and immediately was told to leave ,” he says .
Despite difficulties of entering the market , they pursued onwards . He says that people should know and understand what goes on in business and what people go through . “ You need to have mentors when times are tough they will share what you are going to experience . That ’ s how you get experience ; persevere regardless ,” he adds .
The roof room market is pretty small but , according to Williams , for every roofing company there are 10 000 construction companies .
“ Even though the pie is small there are a few of us in the country .”
He describes activity in the industry as slow . “ It ’ s slowed down over the past three
“
People should know and understand what goes on in business and what one goes through .”
Trevor Williams of TJ Roof Rooms .
years . Political instability and cost of buying a house as well as renovating is expensive . On the other hand , banks aren ’ t as open to lend funds for house extensions .” He is expecting it to pick up and aims to target people seeking growth in their homes or schools to ensure they can be part of their growth plan .
“ Educating people at large opens us to available opportunities such as office renovations ,” he shares .
Money collection is one of the favourite things about his role . He believes that it verifies and confirms a job well done .
“ It is the clients way of appreciation and saying thank you .”
A memorable project for him is one where the client cried after seeing what they could do for him . “ The client lived in a house that had a view of the Moses Mabhida stadium , the racecourse as well as the ocean . The ocean view was limited , and he wanted to extend outwards to get a view of the sea . He approached various engineers and they all told him it can ’ t be done . “ He saw my ad and consulted . We then told him we can do it , he didn ’ t believe me . We drew up plans and showed him and he was in tears as his dream could come true . I was able to make his dream a reality . Working with him and seeing the glow on his face , it was amazing . It is the best memory to date . Making the impossible possible ,” he shares .
Full steam ahead
Taking business further , is one of the things Williams hopes to achieve .
“ I hope to maintain stability within the company and ensure that everyone continues to grow . The company will be run by current staff in the future . They will have their own small businesses with my help . Furthermore , I hope to continue to grow the roof room business . The main thing about joining Mthimunye in business was to help . I get more joy from helping others than anything else ,” he adds .
Ntsako Khosa
30 RESIDENTIAL
JUNE 2018