Lester Philander
Lester Philander
Lester Philander was born in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. Being in a middle class family, he attended government schools in Wynberg. Due to his outstanding achievements in commercial subjects, his Economics teachers referred him to a business innovation for youth call Junior Achievement. It was at Junior achievement where he really fell in love with the business world and learnt how to make candles in the process. After graduating from this course, he was the only student to go on to write the international Cambridge exam. Shortly thereafter, he graduated from Matric receiving an endorsement + Merit. He received first prize for Business Economic and first prize for Economic. He was then awarded the Yvonne Parfitt Bursary to cover his full Tuition for his Management degree.
Shortly after graduating in management and working some odd jobs, he was employed by an established coding and labeling company. In his first year, he was promoted to junior management and was trusted with huge responsibilities. It was during that time Lester met the love of his life Nicole Brown. Coming from a business family, Nicole was very ambitious. With that in mind the couple started attending various seminars, she introduced him to good business books and Lester started realizing that being an employee was no longer for him (trust a women to make you realize that). It was only in Lester’s third year of working that he decided to leave the company to start his own business, Essential Candles. After doing the necessary PESTGEL, SWOT and industry analysis, he developed his unique selling proposition and identified a gap in the market place putting him miles ahead of his competition. He got a positive reaction from the community, as he was involved with various charity activities before embarking on this journey. He then went on to start more businesses and charities while building his personal brand on radio.
Philander was named one of the top black youth entrepreneurs in the SAB kickstart program, was a finalist in the Sage One Cape Talk business of the year awards and won a number of other pitching prizes.
Philander is now a serial entrepreneur, business coach, public speaker, radio presenter and soon to be published author.
Social Media Marketing
At school level, we are exposed to marketing. Most people remember the 4 P’s and different methods of advertising like radio, television and other traditional marketing methods. In today’s market economy, things are faster and much more dynamic. Marketing is seen as the art of business where finance is seen as the science. There ...
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Closing the Deal: Sales
Are they born or made? Is this natural talent or simply hard work? This is a question that we are always faced with and a strong argument can be made for both. Those who say sales people are born, correlate it with their character. Sales people tend to be extroverted conversational people who enjoy ...
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21 Day Hibernation Program – Day 20
The program is designed to shift your level of thinking and to re-wire your mind for success. It helps you look at your life from an outsiders view and change the flow or direction in which your life is going. Although it’s designed for businesses, the principles can be replicated in every aspect of your ...
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21 Day Hibernation Program – Day 13
The program is designed to shift your level of thinking and to re-wire your mind for success. It helps you look at your life from an outsiders view and change the flow or direction in which your life is going. Although it’s designed for businesses, the principles can be replicated in every aspect of your ...
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21 Day Hibernation Program
The program is designed to shift your level of thinking and to re-wire your mind for success. It helps you look at your life from an outsiders view and change the flow or direction in which your life is going. Although it’s designed for businesses, the principles can be replicated in every aspect of your ...
Read More
21 Day Hibernation Program – Day 12
The program is designed to shift your level of thinking and to re-wire your mind for success. It helps you look at your life from an outsiders view and change the flow or direction in which your life is going. Although it’s designed for businesses, the principles can be replicated in every aspect of your ...
Read More
21 Day Hibernation Program – Day 17
The program is designed to shift your level of thinking and to re-wire your mind for success. It helps you look at your life from an outsiders view and change the flow or direction in which your life is going. Although it’s designed for businesses, the principles can be replicated in every aspect of your ...
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21 Day Hibernation Program – Day 8
The program is designed to shift your level of thinking and to re-wire your mind for success. It helps you look at your life from an outsiders view and change the flow or direction in which your life is going. Although it’s designed for businesses, the principles can be replicated in every aspect of your ...
Read More
21 Day Hibernation Program – Day 10
The program is designed to shift your level of thinking and to re-wire your mind for success. It helps you look at your life from an outsiders view and change the flow or direction in which your life is going. Although it’s designed for businesses, the principles can be replicated in every aspect of your ...
Read More