Local resident and entrepreneur, Kimberley Ebersohn, was announced as the National Entrepreneur Champion by the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) during its prestigious entrepreneurial celebration, the 17th Annual South African Small Business Awards.

Kimberley Ebersohn was announced as the National Entrepreneur Champion.

“How do I feel about the award? Wow! I did not expect it. I was up against thousands of businesses. Just being in the Top 20 was unbelievable, and when I was announced a winner, I was dumbstruck,” said Kimberley, owner of The Tax Shop in Hartbeespoort. “This is for my clients who trust us with their businesses, my employees and everyone who supports me. Thank you.”
This is not the first time Kimberley has received an award from the NSBC. She was in the Top 20 small businesses in 2020 and received the National Franchise Award. “The Tax Shop is one of only three small businesses that have featured in the Top 20 more than once. As Mike Anderson, NSBC Founder and CEO, emphasised during the awards ceremony, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, innovation, and job creation.”
Kimberley, a business accountant who is also studying for her MBA degree, opened The Tax Shop 15 years ago as a one-woman business. “At the time, when I was thinking about starting my business, my husband told me to help the small business people. The small businesses grow, and so do you. I always think that for every entrepreneur I help, I assist in putting a child through school and helping someone find employment. Small businesses are the backbone of a community,” she says.
Kimberley knew from a young age that she wanted to follow an accounting career. “While at university, I realised I love taxes,” she laughs. “Doing taxes is hard, but if it wasn’t for all the fights with SARS, I wouldn’t be where I am now.” Her business has grown to include five employees and hundreds of clients. “I am driven by people and helping businesses to do their best. I take the complexities of taxes and accounting off their backs, allowing them to do what they do best. And I want to do more. I realised I could do more than what I offer, and that is why I decided to do my MBA. I aim to finish in three years. Being a mom and self-employed comes with its challenges, but I will do it.”
Balance is extremely important to Kimberley. “I make free time. I take one afternoon a week off to spend special time with my husband, and I spend as much of my afternoons with my two children, aged 11 and 13. One of my strictest rules is no working on weekends. It is not always easy, as my office is at home. Balancing my private life and work is not the easiest thing, but it is very important to me.”
So what is next? “As I grow and learn, of course, more goals and dreams develop.” However, my ultimate goal is to help my clients. I am passionate about that, and I think that is what has brought the business to where it is now. I am extremely grateful. Thank you to my loyal employees and my clients who trust me with their livelihood.”