Name and Surname: Bokang Mahlaba
Business: Bk’s Flame & Flour
Tell us about your business?
Bk’s Flame & Flour is a youth-owned food business that creates and sells homemade savory foods and baked goods. The business currently operates through pre-orders and weekend sales, allowing me to balance entrepreneurship with my school responsibilities. My goal is to provide high-quality, affordable food while continuously experimenting with new products and flavors.
Through Bk’s Flame & Flour, I have sold items such as wraps, brownies, cream puffs, and calzones. I manage product development, marketing, customer service, budgeting, and production myself, which has given me valuable hands-on business experience.
My vision is to grow Bk’s Flame & Flour beyond school sales and expand into my local community, while building a brand that inspires other young people to pursue entrepreneurship
What inspired your entrepreneurial activities?
I was inspired to start a business because I wanted to learn through real-world experience. Rather than only reading about business, I wanted to build something myself. I started Bk’s Flame & Flour to develop my skills, challenge myself, and make productive use of my time. As the business has grown, I have become passionate about entrepreneurship and creating value for my customers and community.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your business?
One of the biggest challenges I face is balancing my business with my school responsibilities. As a student entrepreneur, I need to manage my time carefully to ensure that I can focus on both my education and my business.
Another challenge is building a consistent customer base. While I have successfully sold products at school, I am now working on expanding into my local community and attracting new customers through marketing and word-of-mouth.
I also face challenges with product testing and consistency. When developing new menu items, I need to ensure that they meet customer expectations and maintain a high standard of quality. This requires experimentation, learning from mistakes, and continuously improving my products.
Despite these challenges, they have helped me develop problem-solving skills, resilience, and a better understanding of how to run and grow a business
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years, I see myself as a young entrepreneur who has successfully grown Bk’s Flame & Flour into a recognized brand. I hope to have expanded my customer base, developed new products, and gained valuable experience in business management and leadership.
I also see myself continuing my education while pursuing new entrepreneurial opportunities. My goal is to build businesses that create value for others, provide employment opportunities, and make a positive impact in my community.
Most importantly, I want to be known as someone who took initiative at a young age, continuously learned from experience, and inspired other young people to pursue their own entrepreneurial journeys.
How can customers contact you?
Customers can contact me primarily through WhatsApp, where they place pre-orders, ask questions about products, and receive updates about upcoming sales. I also communicate with customers in person at school and through my growing network in the local community. As Bk’s Flame & Flour expands, I plan to use social media platforms to reach more customers and make it easier for people to learn about my products and place orders.
