PROFILE
CONTENTS
Entrepreneur Roedolf Bothma says he believes his Christian faith and the good values his family taught him will enable him to reach further heights. “My dream is to own multiple businesses one day.”
Roedolf Bothma with Hannes Roodt during a team-building exercise.
The highs and lows of being an entrepreneur
Roedolf did not initially want to be an entrepreneur. “I wanted to study medicine, but life just pointed me towards entrepreneurship. I initially studied business accounting, but changed to entrepreneurship and business management in my second year at the NWU.”
He says becoming an entrepreneur did not happen easily.
“I wanted to give priority to my studies, but at the same time ensure that the business went well. The only way I could do this was with help. I employed a trustworthy driver and groomer to carry on with the business operations when I had to be in class or write exams.”
Roedolf had to take out a bank loan to fund his franchise. “I put every cent of the profit into the loan during the first year and can proudly say that it was paid back in full by the time I completed my studies,” he says.
He says one of the greatest things about being a franchisee is the camaraderie between the various branch owners.
“We are a close-knit family and we support each other. We also get to do a lot of team activities together. We went skydiving recently as part of a team-building exercise – it was amazing.”
Pampering pets pays off – just ask this entrepreneur
A young alumnus of the NWU is combining his love for pets and his skills as an entrepreneur in a unique way.
Roedolf Bothma gives the phrase, “a dog’s life” a whole new meaning – one of luxury and pampering – as a franchisee of Ultimate Pet Care, a business that takes a doggy parlour to the homes of pet owners.
Roedolf (23) says he fell in love with Potchefstroom during his student days, from 2016 to 2018, at the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus.
“I was determined to stay here after completing my studies in entrepreneurship and business management. I realised, however, that Potchefstroom had limited job opportunities, and if I wanted to make it my permanent home, I would have to create an opportunity to make a living here.”
Starting out
One of his friends from his home town of Kempton Park, Hannes Roodt, had started a business, Ultimate Pet Care, in 2012.
It entails driving with a fully equipped mobile doggy parlour to pet owners’ houses, where their pets are groomed, bathed and pampered by a trained groomer. This means no more struggling to get the dogs in the car and driving to a doggy parlour. Everything is done in the comfort and safety of their own yards.
Roedolf realised the model had great potential for the Potchefstroom area and decided to establish it as a business locally.
Hannes had franchised the business earlier and with his mentoring, Roedolf, a third-year student at the time, became one of its first franchisees in 2018.
Making great strides
Roedolf’s enthusiasm for and involvement in the business soon led to him becoming one of Ultimate Pet Care’s directors and taking charge of the quality control division of the business.
He now owns branches in Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom and shares a branch with his sister, Li-Marie, in Fourways, Johannesburg.
“This was just the beginning, as the franchise blossomed – within a year – into more than 20 branches, giving a total of 79 886 dogs a regular doggy make-over since the beginning. It just took off, and our clients now include a host of celebrity pet owners who range from actors, singers and television personalities to sports heroes.”
“It’s simple, just do it!”
Roedolf’s advice to young entrepreneurs is to just do it.
“A franchise is the perfect starting point for young entrepreneurs. It has a blueprint that makes it possible for any person to be successful.”
Hannes echoes Roedolf’s sentiments about the franchise. “I firmly believe that anyone can make it work if they are dedicated and willing to work hard. It all started with washing one dog, now we have a blueprint that works for 18 franchisees.
“I believe there are opportunities for young entrepreneurs to build their businesses in the country and even internationally. Just seeing the energy of young entrepreneurs like Roedolf is inspiring, and it is wonderful to provide the support he and our other franchisees need.”
Identifying the right opportunity is key, adds Roedolf. “I believe it was my love for pets that allowed me to see the potential of the business. I am glad that I chose something that allowed me to work with them, and make it work for me,” he says.
Judging by the well-groomed and happy faces of the smart-looking pets, it seems that they are happy with Roedolf’s decision too.
For more information about Ultimate Pet Care, visit their website.
In the video above entrepeneur Rudolf Bothma tells us more about his business that takes a doggy parlour to the homes of pet owners.
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Roedolf kisses pretty-looking Charlie after her bath and haircut.
Dean Mudzongo, the caring groomer, gives Grace, a Pekinese, her bath.
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“I once heard someone say that a successful entrepreneur is someone who jumps from a mountain and builds an aeroplane on his way down.
“You have to think out of the box all the time and be good at solving any problem that might arise. You also have to be disciplined and work cleverly with your financials to succeed.”
- Roedolf Bothma
