It’s a story of hope fulfilled, both literally and figuratively. Hope Coleman, a farmer’s wife, had the vision more than 40 years ago of starting what has become one of Grahamstown’s best-known small businesses.
It’s a story of hope fulfilled, both literally and figuratively. Hope Coleman, a farmer’s wife, had the vision more than 40 years ago of starting what has become one of Grahamstown’s best-known small businesses.
Times were hard then, when drought plagued the land and those who worked it struggled to get by in Grahamstown. Coleman saw an opportunity to provide not just for her own family, but for the surrounding communities as well, and so she decided to make a business out of doing what she loved – baking. And so the Home Industries shop was born. Having just celebrated its 40th birthday the small business is now considered the baking powerhouse of Grahamstown.
Home Industries is managed as a co-operative business that now employs 45 people. In the beginning, Coleman could only sell her farm produce as it was difficult to get a baker’s licence, but now the store has a variety of products.
Their goods range from knitted scarves to organic beauty creams, and custom cakes to every sort of pickle and jam imaginable. Everything is handmade by the 45 members and their families, with the flowers and herbs grown in their gardens, the cakes and pies baked in their kitchens, and the woollen scarves knitted in their homes.
“We have good systems in place to cut costs and keep the business going,” explains Joy Tandy, chairperson of the management committee. “Each member produces but they also have the duty of running the till. For every item sold we put 15% of the earnings back into the business to pay for our overheads, like water and electricity.”
“Each member also has a personal number, which is put on the goods they produce. So when an item is sold we know which member will get the money at the end of the month. We don’t make much money, some average about R4 000 a month. I’m on pension so it gives that little bit extra to cope with life. I like spending it on my grandchildren,” said Tandy.
“It’s a great business for mothers who need time for their children. It’s not a nine-to-five job, if your children are sick you can pay someone else to do your duty. The flexibility is a huge advantage.” The business has a real family dynamic, which filters through into the store’s atmosphere, but there is still strict quality control measures in place to ensure that a high standard is maintained.
“Cakes and recipes have to be passed by the board. The recipe is made and tested at our meetings,” said Tandy with a smile. “You’re not allowed to change recipes. If your recipe for a chocolate cake is passed then you have to make that specific cake, you can’t change it. Sometimes we take an item off the shelf and test whether it’s up to standard,” she added, her smile getting broader.
Tandy used to be a teacher. She taught at a school for children with learning disabilities in Johannesburg and never thought she would move into business. It was a challenge for her, as she didn’t realise how difficult it would be to run a business.
“We’re not trained people; a lot of us have never worked before. It takes time to get into the financial side of things,”she said. “The greatest challenge for me was learning to handle money.” But the store is more than just a business to Tandy and its members. “It gives me fulfilment. I’ve made many friends working here over the years. One of our members relocated to Middelburg, but she couldn’t bear to leave us and still sends in her things,” said Tandy.
Home Industries makes roughly R70 000 a month when in season. Like many businesses in Grahamstown the store depends on students, school children, and their families for regular clientèle. The business has carved itself a comfortable niche in the community and their homemade, high quality products have kept the store going for 40 years.
Its founder, Hope Coleman, has shown that if you do what you love, business can still follow.
