Each year in South Africa, two major shopping events offer an incredible opportunity—not only for buyers, but for young entrepreneurs ready to sell their own products or services. Let’s dig into what Black Friday and Cyber Monday are, and how you as a teen entrepreneur can harness them with help from SA Teen Entrepreneur Foundation.

What are Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Black Friday originally comes from America and is the Friday after Thanksgiving (28 November 2025), when retailers offer deep discounts to kick off the holiday shopping season. In South Africa the event has been adopted and grown rapidly: for example, Black Friday sales in SA reportedly grew by nearly 9900% from when they started in 2012.
Cyber Monday is the Monday after Black Friday, originally created in 2005 to encourage online shopping. In South Africa it’s still catching hold, but offers a strong online‑sales opportunity.
In short: Black Friday = big deals, often in‑store and online; Cyber Monday = strong online focus. Both together create a shopping “window” that savvy teen business owners can exploit.

Why these shopping events matter for teen entrepreneurs

Because so many consumers are in “buying mode” during this window, the demand is higher and people are actively looking for deals. For teen entrepreneurs, this means:
– It’s a prime time to launch or promote a product/service at a special price.
– It’s a chance to get noticed: your offering can ride the wave of “sale culture”.
– With online reach, you can sell beyond your local school or town.
So instead of just being a buyer this Black Friday/Cyber Monday, you can be the seller.

How to plan your teen‑business around Black Friday/Cyber Monday

Here’s a simple 4‑step plan:

1. Choose your product or service & prepare stock
   Decide what you’ll offer (e.g., custom T‑shirts, handmade candles, tutoring sessions, up‑cycled décor). Make sure you have enough stock (or capacity) to deliver.
2. Create a “deal” or special offer
   Because people expect discounts or extra value, design a compelling offer—for instance “buy one get one”, “20 % off for Black Friday weekend”, or “free delivery if you order by midnight”.
3. Market it early & online
   Start promoting a few days ahead. Use your social‑media, WhatsApp groups, school network. Create urgency: mention “limited supply” or “only two days”.
4. Leverage the online channel
   Since Cyber Monday focuses on online, make sure you have a way for customers to order online (Instagram shop, WhatsApp, simple website). Make payment and delivery clear and simple.
5. After the sale, deliver well—and get testimonials or photos so you can build your brand for next time.

How Teen Entrepreneur can help you

The SA Teen Entrepreneur Foundation is built exactly for young people who want to start or grow a business. For example, their “Business in a Box” programme offers ready‑made business models for teens (vegetable business, creative arts, up‑cycling, IT training etc) with step‑by‑step instructions.
This means if you’re unsure where to begin, you can choose a Business in a Box option and use its structure to quickly set up something you can sell during Black Friday/Cyber Monday.
Also, Teen Entrepreneur provides mentoring, workshops and a supportive community of teen business makers.
So if you’re a South African teen with a business idea, this organisation gives you tools, structure and encouragement—and that makes the Black Friday window much less daunting.

Final word: what to aim for

Think of Black Friday and Cyber Monday not just as “shopping days” but as selling days for YOU. With some preparation, the right offer, and good marketing, you can convert the surge in buyer‑attention into income, exposure and brand growth. Use the backing of Teen Entrepreneur to sharpen your plan. And remember: delivery, quality, and service matter—happy customers = repeat business.
Get ready. Plan your deal. Promote. Sell. Grow.

Good luck – turn this shopping window into YOUR business window!