The story of Big Mikes@the Club is a real matter of association. What was once an informal arrangement of a guy washing cars in a parking lot has blossomed into an entrepreneur-driven formal business, supported by Atterbury. Stoffel van Beek explains why Atterbury and George Michael Maas decided to back Happy Msiza, and Happy himself shares his business dreams
Stoffel, how long has Happy Msiza been an informal “supplier” to Atterbury, and how did the decision come about to formalise this association?
Happy has been a familiar face among the car guards in and around The Club precinct for a number of years. While our CEO Louis van der Watt was visiting the site during the construction of our offices, Happy approached him and introduced himself; commenting and asking questions about the then planned listing of Dis-Chem. Louis made a mental note of this introduction, and this paid off when we were looking for opportunities on Supplier and Enterprise development, and the idea of establishing a formal car wash was born.
What is the extent of Atterbury’s involvement? Can you share some of the details of the business agreement?
Big Mikes Car Wash is in fact an established business which was originally started by George Michael (“Big Mike”) Maas. George built up the business and entered his idea of a mobile car wash in the Akademia “Sakeplan Kompetisie” where Louis van der Watt was one of the judges. When our office manager, Melissa Love, was presenting the benefits of steam car-wash systems to us – its mobility, the saving on water consumption, and the more environmentally friendly footprint that it results in – that mental note of Louis’s kicked in again. We then introduced George to Happy and established an empowered partnership between the two. Atterbury provides the capital funding, some administrative support and the venue at a market-related rental. George provides the expertise and operational systems and Happy runs the day-to-day operation of the carwash and is the majority shareholder.
Where is the new car wash situated? How do I book my car in?
Big Mikes@the Club is situated on the lower basement parking level of the recently opened Club Surgical Centre and Club Advocates buildings. The entrance is in 18th Street directly opposite the entrance to Die Klubhuis and Planet Fitness parking. We selected this spot due to the convenience it offers to our office tenants. The opening is on 2 May and bookings can be made on their web page www.bigmikes.co.za.
Happy, how many customers will you be able to service on a typical day?
When I was washing cars on an informal basis, I could wash as many as 20 cars on a Saturday. Our new business will aim to start off with 10 cars every day and we hope to grow this to about 50 cars per day.
Are you employing anyone else to help wash? Is that part of the plan?
Yes, we have a team of four people who are already trained and who have been washing the Atterbury cars for the past five months on a trial basis.
Do you already have other customers than Atterbury’s staff?
Yes, many of the tenants in Die Klubhuis have been using us, but I also have a long list of my previous faithful customers who want to come to our new set-up.
Who is your most regular customer – is there one person who gives you the most business?
Mkulu van der Watt and then Mr Stoffel – the two of them wash their cars a lot!
What is your secret to a good car wash?
It’s all in the detailing. To wash a car is easy; to wash it perfectly requires a detailed eye.
How much for a wash? Do you offer different services for different prices?
That varies and for the first few weeks we will be offering a discount to all new customers. We have a good system set up on the web. You can book your carwash on the web at www.bigmikes.co.za
What is your dream for your business?
To grow and to start another car wash in one of Atterbury’s other buildings.
