Your Business Magazine - SA's Favourite SME Publication

When the publication celebrated its 10th anniversary in October 2004, this is what some of our longest standing advertisers had to say:

"Your Business Magazine and PRO Vending go back to 'the beginning'"
said Roland Stoltzman

"My wife had advertising experience and she convinced me to advertise when the publication was still known as 'Start & Manage your Own Business'. I was reluctant as the business was new and had no budget to spare; but now when I look back on these last 10 years, I see a very valuable and successful partnership. Congratulations and Good Luck." PRO Vending now have over 3000 successful customers who are all successful small business owners in their own right! "Compared to other business magazines, Your Business is streets ahead," said Stoltzman.

Creative Minds is another business that has grown alongside Your Business Magazine. Marius Lubbe remembered the start-up period when they had only one shop, the early days of a powerful relationship that saw Creative Minds expand into South Africa 's largest operation of its kind with 40 outlets. "Your Business Magazine has always treated us well, and gave us recognition and encouragement when we needed it most. That meant a lot to us." Lubbe insists that no other publication (and they try them all occasionally) provides the quality leads that Your Business Magazine delivers on a regular basis. "We are a very successful business now, probably the top training company in South Africa at this time. We have an outstanding empowerment record"

PK Vending believes Your Business Magazine has the right content balance between information and visual materials such as colourful adverts. "This has made it a consistently popular and effective medium for our advertising campaigns," said Graeme Keshwar during a break from his very busy stand at the recent Franchise and Business Opportunities Show in Sandton. "Over the years YBM and PK have developed a valuable symbiotic relationship," he said.

3@1's Chris Dunn has been extremely successful in his various franchise operations. He is quick to assign some of the credit to Your Business Magazine. "The advertising rates are competitive, and YBM doesn't generate 'Micky Mouse' enquiries." Dunn also points out that YBM stepped into a very significant gap. "Before YBM, franchise buyers had only the weekend papers as a resource. Those are way too expensive for most franchise dealers to advertise in on a regular basis. Now there is YBM (and others), but YBM is the most effective" Dunn started a brand new franchise business in February 2004 - MANUKA. "We used Your Business Magazine to launch the franchise and we have sold six already - directly as a result of YBM! As each franchise costs over R1million, the team at YBM can take a bow!"

John Georgiou started JG Electronics 15 years ago. "I would not be where I am today without Your Business Magazine. I would still be working from home." Georgiou explained that it is the best magazine he has ever advertised in because it reaches all race groups and is read far and wide.

"No other publication reaches the full cross section of the community, not even those which charge many times the advertising rates of YBM. I know that when I advertise my new 3D printing business opportunity in YBM, it will be a success!"

Sam Solomon is unlike the other entrepreneurs I interviewed. He has been offering Import / Export information, leads, training and back up services for many years. Well, he calls himself a grey haired old man, but he clearly has plenty of spring left in his step! He is still enthusiastic and excited about what profit there is to be made from import and export.

"Your Business Magazine readers can continue making money, no matter which way the Rand moves" Right now, the imported product leads we offer are very lucrative!" This is one of the reasons Sam Solomon had advertised regularly in YBM over the last 10 years "Your Business Magazine has brought in much more business to Solomon Enterprises over the years. I wish them well."

Any readers who have not seen the YBM cover with a Mr Video sign on Table Mountain should call our offices and order a back issue. A few blue blooded Capetonians complained about the ad campaign, proving once again that it was an extremely successful advertisement. Eugene van der Westhuizen is very enthusiastic about the Mr Video partnership with YBM. "Out of every 100 applications we receive, over 75 are from Your Business Magazine, and 50 of those have sufficient merit to succeed. YBM has no rival in the quality lead business." These are good words to hear from one of South Africa 's most successful franchise operations. Mr Video is over half way to their target of 300 outlets. "Looks like another 10 years of advertising in YBM" said van der Westhuizen.

Brian Pitman is himself an empowered business licensee. He holds the South African license for Wade World Trade - an international Import Export network. "Your Business Magazine has been very good for us," he said.

"We also advertise in the weekend papers, but the enquiries that come from YBM are converted into actual business at the most satisfactory rate." Business is good at the moment, as business confidence is high here in South Africa . Ten years hence? "Playing with the grandchildren I hope!"

Diverse Engineering is aptly named.

They make anything! But mostly they make machines that manufacture cheap products that are easy to sell at a handsome profit. Soap makers, Nappy machines, Toilet paper manufacturing plants - all money-making machines! "We put people in business" is their motto. Diverse Engineering do most of their business in South Africa , but they have a huge market beyond our borders. "We dabbled in several advertising mediums, but only Your Business Magazine brought us quality enquiries from as far afield as Ghana , Seychelles , Namibia and many other African countries. We see YBM as being an integral part of our success story."