Meet Tendani Mutasa www.thost.co.za founder

It’s interesting to know I’m not the only person who doesn’t invests time researching about a business idea…if I believe in a concept I go ahead and launch it. If it fails, it’s not the end of the world, I would have learnt a lesson about it. Though such an approach is easy to survive through when running an online business such as a niche blog. This is not always advisable to other forms of businesses where you invest a lot of money.

Tell us about yourself, when were you born and where are you based?
My name is Tendani Charles Mutasa, Solutions Developer at T – Host IT. I was born on 12 February 1981. I’m married and have a 4 year old daughter. We are based in Pretoria East.

What is your business all about and what inspired it?
T – Host is a company which specializes in creating online and other ICT solutions that give clients a real a competitive edge.

Our core focus areas are:

Website Development
We can effectively design, develop and integrate a website to match a client’s giving the client a completive edge in the market. T – Host concentrates on professional website design that improves the user experience and conveys a clear message; web development that simplifies online processes and makes a website ‘feel’ great; and implementation that keeps a site flexible and reliable so a business can prosper.

Web Content Writing
T – Host also writes content for websites. Good website content is informational as well as takes a marketing approach to move the prospect further into the selling process. We understand what works for websites both in the amount of content, length of paragraphs, style, and tone. Our writers are college educated copywriters.

Support & maintenance
The help we provide clients in managing and supporting their sites post-launch distinguishes us from other agencies. We place equal importance on providing this support as we do on creating the sites in the first place. Our support services, governed by a tailored Service Level Agreement, ensure that client websites are professionally hosted, enhanced and administered.

What were you doing before launching your business?
I was employed by a web development company in Sandton.

How did you know there is a market for your business?
Africa is still lagging in the ICT arena and hence opportunities are plenty if one can offer unique services that clients can value.

How much was invested in launching your business and how was that capital financed?
I financed the company 100% from my savings. A huge risk but I had faith and its slowly starting to pay out.

What planning did you engage before launching?
Not much to be honest. I knew there was a need for what I was offering so I just took the bull by the horns.

How many people do you employ?
3 fulltime & 2 part-time designers.

How do you use the internet to benefit your business?
I live on the internet & my business does too. Without the internet my business would not exist.

Are there any major challenges that you had to overcome in launching your business?
Leaving full time employment to venture into the unknown.

What do you think of small business government support agencies?
I don’t know much about them & haven’t used their services so I can’t comment.

Do you attend any trade shows?
No….what is a trade show?

How do you unwind after a busy day in the office?
Playing music with my daughter. We recently bought a keyboard & guitar.

Is your family involved in the business?
Yes, their unwavering support has been the core of this business and without it I couldn’t stand.

Are you involved in any entrepreneur’s club or related groupings to network?
Yes

What are your short and long-term business plans?
The major short term goal is to grow T- Host Client base. Long term will be to venture into Southern Africa & potentially the whole continent.

Is your business affected by the current economic climate?
No

In closing, how do potential clients reach your business?
Via my company website www.thost.co.za or by phone.