07 Jul 2024

Advance Cool Systems, a company run by a graduate Youth Development Fund beneficiary, was born out of passion for something cherished.

The company director, Mr Letlhogonolo Sejako, remains adamant that it was passion that has given him life and success in his business.

Visiting him at his business, Sejako says he will forever be grateful to the YDF programme as it gave him an opportunity to kick start his passionate business.

He adds that in 2014, he was funded to a tune of P98 000 and by 2016 he had already paid all the money owed to the fund.

Sejako says the determination to seriously pursue his dream without a fret helped him to stay focused and deliver as promised.

He reckons that there was nothing as beautiful as seeing one’s dream come true right in-front of them and growing it to the heights that one desires.

Sejako, who graduated with a Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, explains that he never looked back after his graduation and decided to become self-employed.

He says he saw an opportunity in the cooling system industry and took it with his both hands.

“I do not regret starting my own company, as it has been my bread and butter for days, and there is no turning back”.

He insists on the importance of discipline when running a business especially as a youth because money has potential to derail one from the beautiful plan they have envisaged.

He says as a youth he remains focused on what he wants to achieve and does not allow money to control him despite having every opportunity to do so.

He further notes that his company provides services such as general maintenance, electrical installation, air conditioning and refrigeration.

He recalls that when he first started, many doubted his potential for success, especially since such businesses are popular and primarily dominated by foreign individuals and companies.

However, he never allowed such skepticism to derail him from his dream and remained steadfast in pursuing his mission until he achieved a breakthrough.

The director of Advance Cool Systems is fully aware that he is runs a seasonal business which is slow during winter but he is not ready to give up yet given the loves for his craft.

Sejako says he started making in roads and his business did well and diversified into the construction industry to augment his seasonal business.

When asked how he has managed to stay the course over the years while many youth businesses have collapsed along the way, he emphasises that his unwavering focus on achieving financial independence and personal emancipation has been paramount.

He says most youth businesses collapse or fail because they divert profit to social life and sometimes buy expensive things that have nothing to do with their business thereby leading to bad credit records and shortage of finances to keep the business alive. 

Sejako reckons that discipline, good character and sound financial literacy help him stay focused on what he wants to achieve and excel at.

He encourages the youth to be disciplined enough to know that business does not mix with pleasure.

He insists on the need to ignite one’s passion for the business they started and re-invest the money into other investments to create a better business portfolio that can sustain one another.

Sejako notes that his business clientele ranges from hospitals, government departments, individual customers as well as private companies, among others. Ends