The tissue paper and napkin making business is a very profitable small-scale business which will give birth to high returns with low investment, this is a given considering the fact that most businesses that manufacture toilet paper pride themselves by being eco-friendly. The tissue paper making business can be begun with semi-skilled labour with less resources required, it is a great business industrial opportunity as the demands are increasing day by day.
Many kids are rising to peak measures to ensure that they don’t have to use restrooms they deem unclean, a number of learners say that their dislike to use restrooms has led to headaches and difficulty focusing in class. Other students say that they do not consume liquids during school hours because they avoid using restrooms because they consider them unsafe and unsanitary to utilize. This has been the case in south Africa especially in rural areas .
The founder of Gudco. & Gudfoundation saw an opportunity to address this issue and also a gap in the market.
Ruan AJ Coetzee is the founder of Güdco. & The Güdfoundation. He was born in Kempton Park and is currently residing in the small surf town of Jeffreys Bay.
During the winter of 2014, Ruan was surprised to learn that thousands of school children in South Africa, especially in the Eastern Cape, don't have access to toilets, or even toilet paper, he then decided to register Güdco (Pty) Ltd in 2015 - with the aim of selling toilet paper to generate funds to help build toilets and provide toilet paper to schools in need.
Here’s a look into the business, its foundation and the entrepreneur behind it.
Before we start, tell us which is your favourite Mzansi brand besides yours and why? “My favourite Mzansi brand besides Güdsheet, must be Nando's. I like how they shamelessly embrace diversity in South Africa and that they're not scared to "play with fire" when poking fun at local celebrities, politicians and current affairs. Their Peri-Peri Chicken & Chips aren't too bad either”.
What were the challenges you faced when you were trying to get your business off the ground and how did you tackle those? "My need to make a difference was the beginning of a long and challenging journey. Not only did I decide to stay true to my original promise of delivering high-quality toilet paper that’s 100% biodegradable – aptly named Güdsheet – but I did so by bootstrapping the company with money out of my own pocket.
As such, one of the early challenges was a slow turnaround of inventory, due to bootstrapped cash that was tied up in the form of outstanding Invoices - for a long period of time.
When proceeds from sales were not generating the change I was driven to see, I investigated other options. And so, the Eastern Cape Water and Sanitation Development Trust, trading as The Güdfoundation, was established in 2017”. With a slogan declaring “Dignity of a toilet for all”, the Güdfoundation is the cause behind the product, which is where my passion really lies".
What does it take to build a brand from scratch? And what makes Güdsheet unique? “To build a brand from scratch, you'll first need a vision, followed by consistent work and patience, lots of patience. I remember visiting close to 30 different suppliers across the country and spending the first two years product-testing every aspect of the product to ensure that everything, from the paper core inside the roll, to the wrappers and the adhesive that seals the boxes it comes delivered in, is entirely biodegradable and plastic-free. Today, I am proud to say that Güdsheet is still South Africa's first and only plastic-free toilet paper made from locally sourced Sugarcane”.
What are your business highlights so far? “Every step is a highlight in its own way. Securing the name. Registering the business. Developing the products. Opening accounts. Building the website and of course, my first online sale. Donating our first batch of toilets and being able to give back toilet paper is another big highlight, but my best highlight was when I was selected as one of the 100 Young Mandela's of the Future by News24”.
Lastly, when not working on your brand, what do you do to keep sane? “I enjoy spending time with my amazing wife and our son. I also like surfing, fishing, playing golf, watching random videos on YouTube and braaing with friends & family”.