Kearabetswe Senne Interview
As young people we quick to quit or give up on our dreams when going gets tough, but Kearabetswe shows that having a passion, perseverance and persistence can pay off. His dreams make him want to achieve more and reach for success. Check out this interview with Kearabetswe to learn more about his entrepreneurial site.
YV: Who is Kearabetswe Senne
Kearabetswe Senne is a young entrepreneur from Phokeng in Rustenburg who is enthusiastic about entrepreneurship and open to learning anything there is to know about life as a businessman. People know me as a photographer hence my nickname ‘Grapher’ shot for photographer but I see of myself as a serial-entrepreneur cause my dream is to start multiple businesses.
YV: Tell us about your childhood background?
I grew up on the road – Chaneng, Luka, Phokeng, Johannesburg. We were always moving from one place to another and on weekends I was forever moving from one granny to another so ke ngwana wa bo-Koko. Growing up I was naughty like most children but from an early age I developed a love for books and reading whether it be a magazine, novels whatever it was, I’d be reading it. I remember this book I had which I still keep to this day called Jungle Book it made me love reading. My childhood was great I loved it.I was an explorer.
YV: What got you into photography?
There was a TV programme called Take 5 it was an educational programme so this one time they were interviewing photography students from Tshwane University of Technology, that show just captured my heart but when I applied for photography at the Vaal University of Technology I found it was expensive to do so I settled for Small Business Management but as luck would have it I applied for a bursary the following year and I got it. I changed my course to photography and dropped Small Business Management which I felt was more in my blood and more natural to me.
YV: What is Escape Photography all about?
We do photography & video production for events, weddings, portraits(family, baby & corporate) on location or at our studio, with the end product designed in to beautiful and creatively personalised photobooks and designer albums (higher quality version of photobooks). We also frame are photography in various kinds of frames and canvas. We also provide Live TV monitors at Weddings & Events. We have just recently added Sound & DJs to our offering.
Escape Photography is about 3 young people who are working towards building a legacy for the next generation I work with 2 smart ladies – Keneilwe Phiri & Kgaugelo Pilane. We have our challenges but we keep trying no matter what.
YV: What motivated you to start Escape Photography?
The love of Entrepreneurship.
YV: How long has it being running?
It’s been running for 4 years now.
YV: Who are your clients?
We have a spread of customers from young couples who are getting married to corporate companies (Business/Website portfolios, corporate portraits e.tc). We have portraits for Individuals, Families, babies and children.
YV: What are you offering?
We offer a unique & creative way to Wedding & Events Photography and Video Production and our Photobooks & Designer Albums are personalised to suit the customer’s taste.
YV: What is the meaning behind “Ke Boitumelo”?
“Ke Boitumelo” is the experience you get from Escape Photography. Its all about happiness and that felling of joy you get from working with us and forever striving to innovate in the industry. We wear a smile as part of our uniform.
YV: What are your dreams for Escape Photography?
I’d like to see it as an entertainment company in South Africa were we include music and movie making and we no doubt heading that directions. Photography was just a stepping stone towards a bigger dream when we motivate ourself we always say ‘We will Entertain’. The name ‘Escape Photography’ will in the future see an evolution and change.
YV: What makes your business unique?
INNOVATION! We are very creative and we re-invent our products and services continuously so when the competition thinks they catching up we raise a bar higher.
YV: What are your daily challenges? And how do you handle them?
At times we struggle with getting some business skills but we overcome by exploring and learning whether it be through google or by asking for help from people who are in business already.
YV: What keeps you going?
The Love of what I do, FAITH and my dream of making young ones to believe in their dreams. Showing them that whoever you are, wherever you come from it can be done. I believe in my dreams..
YV: What has been your greatest achievement in owning a business?
The fact that we took photography and turned it into a business in an area that has a misconception that photography can never be made into a proper business(I’d like to re-mix HHP’s we make Setswana fashionable into” We make photography fashionable”) because in the beginning it was hard I never thought we’d be here. Most of all I’m proud to be working with great partners Keneilwe & Kgaugelo they make life so much easy.
YV: Marketing a business can be very difficult and it’s every entrepreneur’s dream for people to know about their business, how do you market your business?
Facebook! That has been our greatest marketing tool byfar and we recently included a new Twitter account (@EscapePhotoSA) but besides those 2 we distribute business cards to wedding/events venues, planners, salons e.t.c
YV: With the type of business that you do. What qualities are you looking for in employees?
I ask 3 things off my employees – 1. Perseverance and Faith – because the business world can
be hard especially in the early stages of business.
2. Innovation, Constant learning and Applying what they
learn.
3. Respect for customers.
YV: As business owner how would you define success?
Doing what you love and getting paid for it and choosing to smile despite all challenges of life.
YV: What is best advice has anyone ever given you?
I draw a lot of inspiration from Steve Jobs’s Standford Commencement Speech so that’s the best advice I’ve been given.
YV: What advice do you have for young people out there?
Have Faith that whatever it is you want in life will happen and DON’T SETTLE for anything less than that which you love (your passion).
YV: Where are you based? And how can people get hold of you for your services?
We have a studio in Phokeng and currently we serve Rustenburg area ONLY for portraits but for Weddings & Events we travel all over the country and we can do the same for businesses such as Modelling Agencies or any other companies that needs a business portfolio done.
Contact us on – Contact no: 082 256 7032
– Contact no: 082 256 7032
– Email – [email protected]
– Facebook – Escape Photography (SA)
– Twitter – @EscapePhotoSA
– Our office in Phokeng at E1458 Masosobane Section
Or we can set an appointment to meet anywhere around Johannesburg or Pretoria to view our portfolio and to get more info on our services.
