Entrepreneurs are essential for the reduction of unemployment. In the creation and expansion of small businesses, jobs are formed that did not previously exist. It is for this reason that Living Way is engaging with entrepreneurs.  Through the growth and sustainability of small business, jobs are created and money remains within township communities for longer.  We have four primary strategies for this goal: 

Business Basics

Many people with good business ideas fall by the wayside because of lack of knowledge regarding the business world. Many dreams are abandoned because appropriate structures are not in place to support the new venture. Living Way provides a two-phase training programme for entrepreneurs so that they may possess the knowledge and the tools to take their business from a dream to reality. Part of this process focuses on the viability of the project, the development of a business plan, how to budget effectively, and market research, amongst other critical concepts. The training is based on sound research and is adapted to each entrepreneur being trained.

Business Support Workshops

We believe that business owners can provide support to each other. If their business has lasted several years, they are a minority and have knowledge and wisdom to share with each other. Living Way hosts workshops every two weeks that focuses on creating an environment of support and learning for existing business owners. Discussions are focused on various needs as presented by the group and collectively are addressed. This is a new and exciting way of empowering business owners to be more self-sustainable. True development is happening. 

Agribusiness

Many people from rural areas have left their farmlands to find work in the city. Little do they know that they can provide for their daily nutritional needs on their farm, they can also run it like a business.

We have an Agri-Academy that will provide an intensive training process for agri-entrepreneurs. The goal is develop sustainable farms that will create employment for rural communities.  For more information, click here.

We have two greenhouses on campus which have been producing cucumbers and tomatoes since February 2011.  You can buy the goods at your local fruiterer in the Fish Hoek Valley. The greenhouses are an integral part of the agricultural training, as it provides a practical experience of all elements of an agri-business.

We also have 100m2 of organic vegetable plots on our campus, being managed by members of Living Right support groups as a way to provide for their nutritional needs.

Enterprise Development

Business is a powerful tool for community upliftment. Through being involved in the startup and initial phase of certain businesses, Living Way can be part of creating jobs and sustainable livelihoods. With the resources and expertise available to Living Way, the learnings can be documented to improve the success rate of spin off businesses, whether independent or franchised.

Five Loaves bakery

In 2010, Living Way, in partnership with Metropolitan Health Group, launched a bakery. The goal was to create an opportunity to train people in baking skills and to journey with a select few to own the business. Five Loaves bakery is currently employing two people who are being groomed to run the bakery into the future. Our goal is to have spin-off bakeries that will be run by members of the communities in which they live. The bakery on the campus is the test site - to develop the necessary structures and processes so that the spin-off bakeries can have a platform on which to launch. For more information, click here.