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Zip Print - The road to success.
I graduated from
Ardé
College , Plumpstead, situated within the southern suburbs of the
Western Cape , after completing a diploma in secretarial work in 1990. At that stage, my ultimate dream was to become a personal assistant (PA) functioning within a successful corporate firm. I attended numerous interviews for the placement of a PA within different companies and organisations, however being 18yrs old with no working experience created a drawback that crushed all hopes and dreams to one day become successful.
During that year I was employed at Zip Print, a printing company situated within Wynberg,
Cape Town . Within the first year I was offered various other working opportunities which included Protea Insurance and Old Mutual, however, I enjoyed the tranquil, relaxed atmosphere at Zip Print and could not convince myself to leave.
Nine years down the line, having stepped into a managing position, the company was sold to Tony Wells. Tony joined the Southern Cross BNI chapter within Wynberg. They met on a weekly basis, to pass along referrals by word of mouth in a highly structured manner, over breakfast at the hospital across the road from Zip Print. Tony had a negative mind-set towards BNI, in particular the way that it was run. Then again he stayed on…
Back at the shop, Tony gave me a hard time by constantly monitoring my duties and implementing new ideas, which staff members we not accustomed to. Six months later I was ready to quit, but after having a heart to heart talk a connection was made. We finally developed an understanding, which consisted of trust and the greatest respect for one another. Three wonderful years passed before an unexpected tragedy occurred in 2002; Tony suffered a heart attack and passed away.
Tony's original Zip Print purchase contract was set for 5 years only, where after I would be granted the opportunity to buy him out, as set aside by previous owners Lawrie Mabin and Rory Bland. Due to this agreement I was therefore offered an estate option to buy the business. After some serious thought, I formed a partnership with a work colleague, Colleen, and we became owners of Zip Print, Wynberg.
The first year was though, from an administrative side, with neither of us having any experience with finances and book keeping. From scratch we slowly learnt step by step, starting with the absolute basics and some professional acquired help. During this period a BNI member, Eleanor Russell, came to visit (hassle) me on a weekly basis to come and attend a BNI meeting, since we were still situated across the road from the hospital where the BNI meetings took place.
I eventually agreed (just to get this lady off my back!!), and 3 years later I'm still with BNI! ….and business is booming!!
NADIA (Southern Cross Chapter) |
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