As the first of ten branches, The Business Place Joburg has been supporting entrepreneurs from offices in downtown Johannesburg for over a decade. Since opening its doors in May 1999 thousands of aspiring and active entrepreneurs have visited the centre in search of information, referrals and training to assist them in sustaining and growing their businesses.
As the original Business Place branch, Joburg pioneered the “cluster” concept of bringing together a range of service providers in the same building, all aimed at servicing the small business market. This concept has evolved over the years to ensure a vibrant mix of services is available, conveniently clustered together for entrepreneurs to access.
Founding partners Investec Bank and City of Joburg’s Department of Economic Development remain involved in the branch, providing valuable funding and people to TBP. Other partners have contributed in various other ways.
Legal firm Webber Wentzel have provided a legal advice service to TBP clients in Joburg since 2001. Once a week the firm’s candidate attorneys have individual consultations with entrepreneurs who have legal questions relating to their businesses. Subjects range from contractual issues to employment queries to copyright and partnership agreements. The candidate attorneys play an advisory role to provide the entrepreneurs with a better understanding of the specific legal issues that apply to their particlar businesses. This is an invaluable service which empowers clients with knowledge of the legalities of running a business.
FinWeek donates 100 copies of their financial magazine to the branch on a weekly basis.This directly contributes to increasing knowledge of the financial sector for entrepreneurs.