Young entrepreneur advises peers on survival tactics

YOUNG entrepreneur and self-taught chef Bernadino Thikusho has advised young people and youth entrepreneurs in Namibia to be focused, innovative and passionate about what they do to make it in the world.

Thikusho is the managing partner of Grill Masters, a family-owned fast-food outlet located in the heart of Rundu in Kavango East region.

In an interview with The Namibian, the young entrepreneur said being consistent and persistent at one's work is very important because from failures a person learns to master the things that can take them to another level.

The 28-year-old business administration graduate from the Namibia University of Science and Technology says he started at a young age, selling lollipops at high school and small cars made out of wire to make money.

“When I was a young boy, we used to play with wire cars and sometimes sell them to make money. I think the urge started there. I also used to sell lollipops in the hostel. Then, when I went to St Boniface College, even though it was a bit strict, I would sell some of the items in the hostel. So, I started doing business from that time.”

He says coming from a business family and equipped with a qualification in business administration, he felt the need to fill the gap in the market, and that is when 'Grill Master' was born.

“I come from a business family, where my mother used to run a catering business. So with a business degree, I wanted to fill the gap in the market by commercialising the skill my mother had and taking it to a professional level.”

Bernadino identified the gap in the grilled food market that other entrepreneurs were not taking advantage of since most food outlets focus on fried food.

He said grilled food and the menus are different from what other fast-food outlets offer. The business has eight permanent employees, three males and five females, including himself.

Asked how the business survived during covid-19, the young entrepreneur says business was tricky during that period.

“In the Covid era, there were so many regulations and restrictions. So we did not maximise our business's potential,” says Bernadino, noting that business has recovered since the relaxation of all Covid restrictions and regulations.

“So far, business is booming. We are changing our menus, depending on how our customers are responding. There are so many things that have changed from where the business was to where the business is now,” he says confidently.

The young entrepreneur advises his peers to look out for mentors to help them find their niche and guide them on the do's and don'ts in their focus areas.

“We need to get mentors. Mentors can show you how you do your administration, how you do your marketing and how you do your stock management,” he advises.

He says it is through trial and error that he has pulled so far in managing the business since he is the company's managing partner.

He also notes that persistence is key in business. “If there is any form of failure, they should keep on being persistent. They should keep on going further even if things are not moving right. Keep on going further even if things are not looking fine.

“Persistence and consistency in business are the key players, and they should do things from the heart. If you like welding, get into a business that involves something you enjoy doing,” Bernadino advises.

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