Empowering SMEs to Unlock Their True Potential
Established in 2021, Proudly Developing was born from a deep-seated belief in empowerment and the transformative power of SME growth.
As Founder and Managing Director Colette Cilliers shares, “I love being part of businesses breaking through barriers, entering new markets, and thriving amid economic challenges.
By championing local manufacturing and job creation, we turn ambition into lasting impact.”
Our mission is clear: to serve as a dynamic business accelerator, refining SME models, addressing hurdles, and seizing opportunities—while bridging corporates with Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) funding for genuine B-BBEE excellence.
In our fourth year of operation, we’ve evolved into a trusted boutique partner for select SMEs, proving that ESD is far more than compliance—it’s a catalyst for economic vitality. Colette’s academic foundation—a BComm Hons (Cum Laude) from North-West University—combined with over two decades in financial management, internal audits, and B-BBEE advisory, underpins our expertise.Â
From her 11-year tenure as Technical Director at Core BEE, where she led strategy development, scorecard optimisation, and verification processes, Colette brings proven credentials. As an Associate Member of the Association for BEE Professionals (ABP), she ensures our programmes deliver credible, high-impact results that foster sustainable expansion and community upliftment.
Hands-On Expertise and Tailored Support
We prioritise intensive, personalised mentorship, drawing on Colette’s top skills in business analysis, strategic planning, management consulting, business development, and internal audits to guide SMEs through every growth phase.
Our approach goes beyond generic advice: we conduct thorough needs analyses, mitigate risks, optimise administrative and financial systems, and connect clients to a network of specialist advisors across finance, compliance, marketing, and more.Â
By limiting our cohorts, we ensure unwavering dedication—no recipients are just a number. This fosters long-term relationships built on mutual trust and respect, embodying true empowerment.Â
Whether refining cost-profit analyses or sourcing funding, we empower entrepreneurs to navigate challenges with confidence, creating jobs and driving innovation in South Africa’s resilient economy.
Connect with us today to discover partnership possibilities
As a vital link in the ESD ecosystem, we connect corporate funders with high-potential SMEs, managing programmes from inception to measurable legacy—ensuring B-BBEE investments yield real transformation.
Supporting essential physical and organizational structures for SMEs.
Enchancing efficiency and effectiveness of business operations.
Assisting SMEs in reaching and engaging target markets.Â
Guiding SMEs in navigating regulatory requirements and minimising risk.Â
Providing skill development to enhance SME capacity and performance.
Fostering job opportunities through SME growth and stability.
Our core focus areas—spanning infrastructure development, process optimisation, marketing, risk management and compliance, job creation, and targeted training—form the bedrock of bespoke acceleration. Colette’s experience, honed through years of public relations, workshops, and industry networking, enables seamless collaboration. From scenario planning to verification support, we deliver optimised outcomes that extend beyond scorecards to profound economic contributions, all while upholding the highest ethical standards.
