Starting a business is never an easy feat, especially when it comes to finding a niche in a saturated market. In 2018, The Kwazulu-Natal born, and currently reside in Gqeberha duo named Nkululeko Sthabiso Mbatha and Mthokozisi Njapha started their business with just three second-hand bar fridges in terrible condition. Fast forward to today, RENT-A-FRIDGE has more units including chest freezers that cater to a wide range of customers, from students to businesses. However, despite the business's success, the duo recognizes the need for innovative solutions and access to finance to take their business to the next level.
Initially, the RENT-A-FRIDGE business owners didn't know where to start, but misfortunes are fortunes in disguise, Mthokozisi had just been faced with a pressing problem of not having a fridge to store his consumables during the June recess and had to think of an affordable option to have access to a fridge unit and there was no other option than actually buy one. Affordability became the first pain and the second problem was that of storing the fridge as Mthokozisi was not a permanent resident at the time, It was a tricky situation to store the fridge.
When asked about the key solutions and innovative developments required by their business, Nkululeko and Mthokozisi highlighted the need for automation of their ordering platform and systems, and access to finance that will grant them a nationwide presence.
The business was built while trying to solve a personal problem. Mthokozisi then presented the potential solution to Nkululeko and he jumped on it as it was an issue he once faced too. During the June/July recess of 2018, after having discussed, Mthokozisi and Nkululeko joined forces, a poster was designed quickly using word and distributed all over campus just to test the market. It is not enough to identify a gap in the market but you also need to identify if there is a market in that identified gap. After receiving overwhelming requests from students it’s where they purchased their first three fridges, which were in “horrible condition” as they put it. However, they realized that there was potential for growth in their market because by November of the same year, they had doubled their inventory.
But what keeps these entrepreneurs going when times are challenging in their entrepreneurship journey? According to them, it's the understanding of what it takes to build something from nothing. They know that nothing is perfect in this world, and the only perfect part about anything is the idea one has in their head. However, the moment you continuously try to achieve an ideal, you have to be prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually for all that is coming. For Nkululeko and Mthokozisi, sticking together, enduring all the pain, and laughing at themselves when they make foolish mistakes keep them on track and building steadily.
RENT-A-FRIDGE provides an essential service to students, bachelors, and families who need refrigeration units but don't want or cannot afford to buy them outright. With a backlog of customers waiting for their services, the company has proven to be a lucrative investment, although it is capital-intensive to get going.
Despite the company's success, of winning the Vodacom & Renault Connected Youth Pitching Competition and receiving grant funding from NYDA, the business owners are not content with just renting out fridges. The duo have bigger aspirations and presented an idea of smart fridges in a pitch competition hosted by Imbizo group in 2019. This innovation is not part of their core business, but it is something they are looking at developing in the future, a proudly South African smart appliances brand.
When not busy with RENT-A-FRIDGE, Nkululeko enjoys playing sports, either running or on the soccer field, studying to become a professional CGMA (Charted Global Management Accountant), having a sit down with other entrepreneurs and creatives on his Podcast platform called The Entrepreneurial Student on YouTube, or reading books and studying art that give him a wide perspective of the life he is leading. Mthokozisi, on the other hand, is a full-time student pursuing a BCom in Computer Science and Information Systems. He enjoys playing chess and is currently learning how to play the acoustic guitar.