Striking gold in the Valley

Entrepreneur Jan Johannes Marcus was born in the small farming town of Piketberg near Saldanha in the Western Cape, where he spent his early years. Later, his family moved further west to Vredenburg, where he spent most of his teenage life.

In his late teens, Marcus moved to Cape Town and quickly displaying an aptitude for working with cars, he spent the next 25 years in the automotive industry, 22 of which were as an auto electrician under Golden Arrow Bus Services, which has been providing public transport to Capetonians for more than 150 years.

Where it all began

Marcus got the idea to create a carwash while working in the car industry, but it wasn’t until he relocated to Worcester in the Boland, visiting its Golden Valley Casino centrepiece that he was able to bring it to fruition. People were always visiting the popular attraction and were also working, so he realised people didn’t really have time to get their cars washed. He saw a need in the market and created a service to fill that need. Golden Glow was born, continuing the gleaming theme that began with Golden Arrow.

Golden Glow first started working with Sun International when its services were required as part of the enterprise and supplier development programme that was running at the time. Due to how well that partnership went, he was invited to participate on a full-time basis. Marcus started a small carwash in the parking lot, now his company is a fully operational concern, equipped with all the necessary tools for success. Currently, Marcus employs seven full-time staff members, along with a few casual workers.

Marcus says that working with Sun International has changed his life for the better. “You get to meet people from all walks of life. It is great being affiliated to such an iconic brand.” Members of the company’s Sun MVG loyalty programme receive free car washes as a perk – just one of the ways Sun International is supporting Golden Glow.

Some of the challenges that Marcus has experienced since starting his company include water shortages and terrible weather. Golden Glow is unable to function if there is no water or if it is raining. Another challenge the enterprise experienced – in common with other businesses around the world – was the COVID-19 pandemic. The carwash was badly affected, as Golden Valley was forced to suspend operations under national lockdown regulations.

Aspirations for the business

Marcus’s aspiration for Golden Glow is to eventually move into valet services – he has already purchased a deep-cleaning machine as a start. The idea is to offer full valet services to customers, expand into cleaning office spaces, and produce a Golden Glow brand of cleaning materials for the market.

Marcus likes to spend his time away from work attending and participating in church activities and being involved in civic duties in his community in Worcester.

What is his advice to budding entrepreneurs? “Procrastination is the thief of time. Just start. If you are scared, use it as a catalyst in the journey to overcome challenges. Set realistic goals and once you achieve the small wins, it will drive you to go for the bigger ones.”

Sun International is continuing to develop a golden generation of businesses through its enterprise and supplier development programme, and Golden Glow is one of the stars of the show.