More than 40 current, alumni and member entrepreneurs from the Silulo Foundation ecosystem recently gathered in Du Noon for an interactive sales and marketing workshop focused on one of the most important drivers of business growth: understanding how customers buy, and how businesses can sell more effectively.
The workshop was hosted by the Silulo Foundation in partnership with Professor Morris, Faculty member of Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation at the University of Notre Dame and director Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI). It brought together entrepreneurs from different sectors and stages of business growth to explore practical ways of increasing sales, attracting customers and building more sustainable enterprises.
For many entrepreneurs, passion for their product or service is only the starting point. The real challenge is turning that passion into consistent revenue. The workshop therefore focused on practical sales and marketing principles that entrepreneurs could immediately apply in their own businesses, from understanding customer behaviour to positioning products more effectively.
Professor Morris emphasised the importance of designing a sales process around the customer’s buying journey.
“Each of you needs to design a marketing or selling process that mimics the way your customer buys. If there is a buying process, the selling process needs to reflect that buying process.”
He illustrated this through practical examples, including impulse purchases and how businesses can position products in ways that support customer decision-making. These examples made the session highly engaging and relevant, especially for entrepreneurs operating in real market conditions where visibility, timing and customer understanding can directly influence sales.
Mr Luvuyo Rani, Founder and CEO of the Silulo Foundation, opened the session and reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs beyond formal training.
“At the Silulo Foundation, we understand that entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful tools for creating economic opportunity. However, businesses can only grow when they are able to generate sustainable sales. Workshops such as these provide entrepreneurs with practical knowledge that can help them strengthen their businesses, increase revenue and ultimately create jobs within their communities.”
The session also created space for entrepreneurs to engage, ask questions and learn from one another. Several Foundation entrepreneurs shared a short story about their own business journey, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities that come with building a business in a township community.
This peer-to-peer learning remains an important part of the Silulo Foundation’s approach. Through continued workshops, networking opportunities, mentorship and alumni engagement, the Foundation aims to build an ecosystem where entrepreneurs can keep learning, collaborating and accessing opportunities long after completing the programme.
As the Foundation continues to grow its network of entrepreneurs, alumni and partners, initiatives such as this workshop play an important role in strengthening businesses from the inside out.
Because when entrepreneurs succeed, communities prosper.
To apply for the next cohort, fund an entrepreneur, sponsor the programme or get involved as a partner, please visit https://silulofoundation.org or contact the [email protected].
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