Reintroducing Unconventional CA

Welcome to our first monthly Unconventional CA newsletter. Each time, we'll share a roundup of the team’s participation in entrepreneurship events. This month begins with introductions…

Hiten Keshave, CA(SA) | MBA

To impact people’s lives and businesses positively is the reason UCA exists. For Hiten, helping early-stage entrepreneurs to succeed began as a hobby. Innovation is reflected in his rewarding implementation of turnaround solutions and strategies for multiple organisations.

Hiten grew to assist CEOs in executing their definitive professional and personal goals by using sound business strategies, and techniques in mindset and behaviour shift. This venture building expert wants all of us to understand our ‘why.’

(And he really does ask us about it at every meeting…)

Jameel Khan, CA(SA)

Jameel is fulfilled by helping small businesses in South Africa. Having run SAICA's Entrepreneurship Development Programme, this CA and business mentor quickly understood the problems that SMMEs face around the country. With strategic experience in Small Business Development and Investing, he accomplishes key roles in stakeholder engagement, business development, and programme ideation and creation.

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These executives are as accomplished as the number of alphabets after their names. So, what is Unconventional CA anyway?

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UCA uses a transformative approach to supporting SMMEs. Our venture-building perspective and holistic coaching methods have earned astute credibility for supporting entrepreneurs in shifting from informal trading practices to building honourable business assets. Ethical social impact for our clients and their chosen beneficiaries is designed to maximise company value through our customisable Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) solutions.

Grassroots

Our township and community accelerator programme concluded in April. Thereafter, moving on to training the entrepreneurs how to pitch for funding and resources. UCA assists them to grow personally and professionally while addressing the socioeconomic challenges experienced in their communities.

On the Ground

Hiten moderated an inspiring entrepreneurship panel discussion at the 2023 Johannesburg District Association event hosted by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Here are his key takeaways.

1. Building soft skills is essential: panelists agreed that starting a business requires knowing how to influence your buyers. It's important to have relationship-building skills.

2. Focus on solving real problems: it's critical to identify problems that customers face, then develop innovative solutions to address those needs. This requires deep understanding of the market, its customers, and the competitive landscape.

3. Embrace change and adaptability: the business landscape is constantly evolving. Flexibility is essential for responding to shifting market conditions, customer needs, and emerging technologies.

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Jameel represented us at the 3-day WomHub showcase during the launch of their women-led Cape Town innovation hub and co-working space. The incredible WomHub team is committed to building an inclusive ecosystem for women in STEM.

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Both execs sponsored Women in Mining South Africa at their Inaugural Annual Golf Day to raise money for South Africans in mining-related projects. WIMSA is an independent volunteer-run, free-membership non-profit organisation for supporting and developing the progression of local women.

Online

Hiten was a guest speaker at the quarterly Coaching Community by Grit Coaches in a United Arab Emirates online summit and global networking event. Grit Coaches invited purpose-driven and passionate people who are open and available to share their time, knowledge, and experience to connect with specialists from 11 countries.

He also presented an online workshop on Financial Management at YVR’s first Venture Building Programme masterclass. YVR Consulting designs and implements bespoke business development and support.

Team UCA

Apart from our finance nerds, UCA is also made up of 2 other people leading internal Marketing and Branding. We’re the unfamiliar floating heads in the image, adding sparkle to sustainable development.

UCA continues working towards our goal of making a positive impact on the lives of local entrepreneurs and the communities they serve. We aim to be a reliable partner for all our clients, providing innovative and tailored solutions to their unique challenges.

Thanks for your support and interest in what we do. We look forward to updating you on our progress and delivering valuable content in upcoming newsletters.

Let’s act together towards sustainable ESG goals!