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21-yr-old family business built on passion

Cape Town – Many businesses start off on a high note and thrive for a few months, then disappear or go insolvent. Keeping a business running for 21 years is a major achievement for any entrepreneur. D&P Auto Body Works is such a business, but what makes this business unique is the fact that it’s a family-owned business managed by husband and wife team, Pam and Douglas George.

“Not in our wildest dreams did we think that this would be possible. When we took the chance 21 years ago, we did not have any skills or business know-how”, says Pam George of their family business.

They shared their story with Fin24

Douglas left the panel beating business where he worked for almost 15 years. He taught himself most of the skills in the trade when he opened his first panel shop in his mother’s garage at the age of 16.  From there the couple just took it one day at a time and here they are, 21 years later.

“We started with an overdraft of R25 000. We had a 2.5 X 2m Wendy house as an office when we started. To secure a loan of R25 000, we went to car dealers in the area, asking them to write letters in which they confirmed that they would give us work. Today we have a workshop of about 1 500m²," says Pam.

Overcoming challenges

Like any business, D&P Auto Body Works had its fair share of challenges and the Sanlam Enterprise development programme helped the company with the business know-how, which made a big difference in their profit-making.

“Our business know-how was just lacking and we learnt three key business fundamentals: professionalism, management skills and structure. 

"After a year of business incubation and mentoring financed by the Sanlam-Asisa Enterprise Development (ED) Programme, we broke even and declared a maiden profit after a two decade struggle. 

"Also, when we joined the programme, they carried out a diagnostic analysis for D&P Auto Body Works which helped in the sense that it highlighted areas of the business that needed attention and where further growth could be achieved.

"Planning and reporting processes were put in place. Now, we service between 50 and 80 vehicles per month – which is all due to having a proper structure and system in place.

"Today we can tackle anything. We are approaching big companies, because we know we are professional panel beaters now. We’ve always known how to do the work, but we lacked business acumen and professionalism and the programme really helped us with this knowledge. 

VIEW GALLERY

(DP Auto Body Works workshop).

Lessons learned

In addition to lacking business acumen, which cost D&P money, the company also suffered losses due to wastage of material like paint by staff members.

Also, when D&P was selected as one of the five small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the Sanlam-Asisa ED Programme, the company did all the its business administration at the end of the month.

"This cost us big time.  But against all the difficult odds, it never crossed our mind to close our business.

"Running a professional business was always a challenge for us. However, our participation in the programme has resulted in a scenario where we now have budgets, targets and a set of spread sheets for every company with which we do business.

"Our cash book is monitored on a daily basis. We know whether we are making losses or gains on a weekly basis, and we can immediately decide what to do to rectify a situation in order to meet our targets. Nothing is falling behind anymore,” says Pam.

Passion drives us

Pam says passion is the key driver in their business. "This is what kept us going even though we had no business know-how when we first started.

“We are really passionate about what we do and that always stands out.

"Also, we’ve managed to sustain this business against very difficult odds – 21 years later, we are still around and I think that alone is very telling about the potential of this business and the fire and dedication we have to make it work.

"We always strive to get it right the first time and with a 95% customer satisfaction rate, I think we are doing something right,” says Pam.

Employment creation

With the economy ailing, there’s never been a greater need for entrepreneurs and small business owners to create employment. D&P Auto Body Works is doing its bit to reduce this problem by ensuring that they’re not just running a business, but create employment too.

Says Douglas: “Keeping people employed is what has always motivated and spurred us along. Whenever we were faced with challenging times, we always made a plan, because our employees come first. We’ve gone through great lengths to keep this business alive. 

"We even sold our daughter’s car and my wife’s (Pam) car just to survive. Also, it is through trust that we build relationships with our partners, clients and our employees and we engage all our dealings with the utmost integrity and never compromise our personal and brand integrity.  

(Pam and Douglas George with employees in their workshop).

“We are now in the second phase of the programme where the focus is on sustaining and growing our maiden profit, and we believe this to be very valuable when it comes to the sustenance of our business as well as business development,” says Douglas.

Prioritising family time

In today’s world with the technology making it more difficult for people to connect in a real way, it must be even tougher for people who run a family business. The George family, however, work hard to keep their family time alive.

“We run a five day workshop and occasionally work on a Saturday, but weekends are strictly family time.  We know when to give it our all, and when to take a break as this balance also contributes to the overall success of our business,” says Douglas.

The Georges believe hard work and dedication pays off. "But passion is what will keep you going and your fire burning even during the tough times."

They share a bit of advice with other small business owners: "Always consider the long term prospects and do not get too caught up in the short-term hurdles as they are temporary”.

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