Meet Sheldon Tatchell, the visionary behind the Legends Barber franchise, and now the newly crowned 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year at the 36th annual Business Partners Limited awards! Sheldon scooped up the top award after a tough competition, beating over 600 contenders and 15 other finalists who represent the best of South African entrepreneurship.

From humble beginnings cutting hair on a stoep in Johannesburg, Sheldon has built an empire with more than 70 barber shops across Africa. His path to success hasn’t been easy—just a year into his business, he faced a shutdown that could have ended his dreams. But instead, Sheldon got creative, launching mobile barber services and eventually bringing Legends Barber back stronger than ever, expanding to new locations, and even launching a haircare product line that’s now available at major retailers.

“Sheldon’s journey from local barber to business leader shows what’s possible with hard work and creativity,” says David Morobe from Business Partners Limited. “He’s not just growing his business but uplifting others, which makes him a truly deserving winner.”

But Sheldon hasn’t forgotten his roots. He still finds time to give back, offering free haircuts to people in old age homes and on the streets, and mentoring aspiring barbers and local entrepreneurs.

Sheldon wasn’t the only trailblazer at the awards. Here are some other inspiring winners:

Emerging Business Entrepreneur of the Year: Trudy Maleka, of Ambesha Africa, a sustainable, custom-made patio furniture company that’s gone from a 6m container to a 500m2 workshop with seven times as many employees.

Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year: Samantha Skyring, CEO of Oryx Desert Salt, whose brand has become a staple on South African restaurant tables and is growing internationally.

Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year: Nompumelelo Madubedube, of The San Hair, known for its premium wigs, weaves, and extensions, plus a special line of care products.

Job Creator of the Year: Nqobile Valentia Veronica Mkhabela, founder of Siyanqobangamandla Engineering Services, which employs over 530 people and delivers engineering services to multiple industries.

Innovator of the Year: James Barrington Brown, CEO of NewSpace Systems, a space component manufacturer that’s making waves in over 33 countries worldwide.

Each of these winners proves that with passion and perseverance, you can build a business that not only grows but also gives back. Whether you’re in the salon chair or the boardroom, here’s to finding inspiration in their journeys!