A professor from the United States was so passionate about collaborating with the University of the Western Cape (UWC) that he personally funded his trip to South Africa, where he ended up working closely with the Small Business Clinic.

When the clinic - run by the Faculty of Economic Management Sciences (EMS) - was opened last month, Professor Marvin Carolina Jr from the University of Missouri Kansas City was overjoyed. 

His journey with the faculty started in early 2023 when he learned about the grant and exchange programmes at UWC.

He was too late to apply, but he was so inspired that he picked up the bill to work with the University. This visit laid the groundwork for a successful collaboration. 

Professor Carolina Jr is still actively involved in the clinic, which is designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical business application.

Through a series of business workshops, including one on 8 August 2024, Professor Carolina Jr shared his expertise on essential business skills such as strategic planning, market trends and sustainability.

“I want to be over here regularly, and that's my goal. I want to come over here twice a year. I want to teach the students on campus, and I want to teach work stuff like this. And I want to do it right here at UWC. And I want to do it right here in the Small Business Clinic. I'm very intentional about it. Whether I pay to come over here or a grant pays for me to go, it doesn't matter. But I need to come over here, and I want to make a difference,” said the business guru with more than 30 years of experience in the commercial market in the United States.
  A few days before flying home, he met with aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, and UWC students from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences as part of a Business Coaching Workshop in collaboration with the Small Business Clinic and the Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

One of the participants, beauty spa owner Caren Alexander, is one of his mentees.

Alexander was retrenched during COVID-19 and was the only breadwinner in her family.

Her drive for affordable health and beauty products led her to open a beauty spa in Elsies River on the Cape Flats.

However, she required guidance in the industry's business marketing and financial aspects, which Prof Carolina Jr is providing.

“His insights into market trends, strategic planning, and leadership skills have broadened my understanding and equipped me with the tools necessary to navigate the challenges of the business world,” said the small business owner.

Third-year Bachelor of Science UWC Student Lesego Clement Malepe has a passion for agriculture and left the workshop with tangible ideas for growing his sorghum business.

“I learned that one needs to have a vision, so this session helped me sharpen my vision, and now my vision is clear. Also, creating partnerships is important because you cannot do business alone and you need the right partners,” said Malepe. 

Lisle Svenson, the clinic's coordinator, says the UWC Small Business Clinic, located in the heart of busy Voortrekker Road in Bellville, aims to serve the business community and upskill aspiring small business owners and entrepreneurs.
  “Business coaching is one of the four key objectives of the clinic. The objective is to provide students at UWC, particularly those in the Economic and Management Sciences Faculty, with coaching from academics and other outside coaches, as well as people with experience, such as retired business people and even small business owners. You even have young people who are skilled in an area. We also work with external partners, like the professor from the University of Missouri, who’s a specialist in business coaching. He's been doing it for over 30 years,’’ said Svenson.

She believes the clinic is well-equipped to serve the surrounding communities.

“Small businesses serving the community might just need some help here and there. I believe that coaching is essential because it complements theory. Nowadays, you can search Google and find information on the internet on how to do XYZ, but there's still that practical element, the human element, which is very important. It spans the different business areas, whether you're looking at human resource management, operations, sales, or marketing. You need to have that human touch and the necessary people skills and competencies.”

Biography of Professor Marvin Carolina Jr

Marvin Carolina Jr is a Professor of Business at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, where he is recognised for his expertise in strategic planning, market trends, and business sustainability. 

Professor Carolina holds a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) and has spent his career mentoring emerging entrepreneurs and business professionals, helping them navigate the complexities of the business world.