Meet DIPUO PHAKATHI

Founder of Denic Cabinets

Frustrated with the service she received from cabinet suppliers when renovating her own home, Dipuo Phakathi partnered with a carpenter to get the job done. Although she was working in the financial services sector at the time, the synergy with her carpenter sparked an idea to start a business that would provide an exceptional and personal design service. What started as a side hustle soon evolved into a full-time business, and Denic Cabinets now employs 11 staff.

From side hustle to full-time business – how did this transpire? I registered the company while I was still working in the financial services industry as a process engineer. I am an engineer by profession and worked in the mining sector for about eight years before going corporate. The business ran as a side hustle for about two years and the carpenter, his assistant and I completed small projects on weekends. We focused on low-cost housing; fitting kitchens and wardrobes. Some of the parts were manufactured in my home garage.