anat Apter has gone from selling food at the Bruma Lake flea market in Johannesburg to owning a national franchise with over 20 outlets. This is thanks to her unique Middle Eastern fast food and a focus on quality. She talked to finweek about her business journey.
What did you do before you started Anat?
I was mainly a housewife taking care of my three children. I made money on the side, baking for functions. For a while, I also imported and sold leather handbags from Europe. I completed a travel agent course just before I decided to open a food stall at the Bruma Lake flea market. In the end, I opened the food stall as I reasoned that selling food would generate income faster than selling airline tickets.
Why did you decide to start Anat Falafel in 1991?
My grandfather, Solomon Barzilai, worked in a falafel shop in Egypt as a teenager, where he learnt to make falafel. He later started his own falafel business after getting married (and having 12 children). My father, Jacob Barzilai, took over the business when my grandfather decided to retire.
I swore I would never follow the same path, but when our family struck financial difficulties, it seemed like the best way out. My mother, Mazal Barzilai, always used to tell me: “If you ever need money, open a falafel shop.” In retrospect that must have been the best business advice I have ever received.
Why did it seem like a great idea at the time?
Falafel is a unique product and nobody else was selling it anywhere in South Africa at the time. Furthermore, I was confident that my falafel recipe was nothing short of excellent, as it is based on the original way my grandfather used to make it. The thought never crossed my mind that I might fail.
How did you start selling your product?
Denne historien er fra 21 November 2019-utgaven av Finweek English.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra 21 November 2019-utgaven av Finweek English.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE HEALTH OF SA'S MEDICAL SCHEMES
As the Covid-19 pandemic abates, finweek takes a look at the financial performance of some of the largest players.
The effect of Gilbertson's departure
With Ntsimbintle Holdings now the major shareholder of Jupiter Mines, it could change SA’s manganese industry.
Making money from music
Why investors are increasingly drawn to the music industry.
Conviction is key
Sandy Rheeder plays a critical role in Mukuru’s mission to open up financial services to the emerging consumer market in Africa through tailor-made technology solutions and platforms.
The post-pandemic toolkit
How CFOs can use technology to support growth.
Big city living exodus
Mini cities like Waterfall City and Steyn City are redefining city-style apartment living.
Big compact, big value
Handsome, with a hefty level of standard specification, the roomy Haval Jolion compact crossover is a great value proposition.
On barriers to entry
There are various ways in which a company or sector can achieve competitive dominance. They usually make for good investments.
Fear and greed in one index
To buck the trend, when markets are hot or cold, is a tough thing to do. However, it can deliver solid returns.
Africa's largest data centre facility coming soon
Vantage Data Centers plans to invest over R15bn for its first African data centre facility in Attacq’s Waterfall City.
