From Classroom to Cleaning Powerhouse: How Thabo Khateane Built IClean.Dishwashing.Liquid from the Ground Up
From Classroom to Cleaning Powerhouse: How Thabo Khateane Built IClean.Dishwashing.Liquid from the Ground Up. When most people think of entrepreneurship, they imagine business graduates or tech founders chasing new ideas. But for Thabo Khateane from Botshabelo in the Free State, the journey began in a classroom, not a boardroom. A postgraduate degree holder in Education, Thabo spent years teaching Business Studies before he decided to apply his lessons in real life.
That decision would lead him from chalkboards to chemical formulas, from teaching students to managing factory workers. Today, his company, IClean.Dishwashing.Liquid, has become a growing household brand that manufactures a range of detergents and employs many young South Africans along the way.
The Courage to Start
In 2019, Thabo made one of the most important financial decisions of his life. Instead of spending his salary on comfort or savings alone, he invested in startup detergent manufacturing equipment. At the time, it was a bold move for an educator with a stable job. But Thabo saw potential in South Africa’s growing need for locally made, affordable cleaning products.
Using his income from teaching, he began experimenting with detergent formulas, studying the science behind cleaning agents and learning the business side of product manufacturing. It wasn’t easy but it was strategic. By using his own funds, Thabo kept his independence and learned the value of starting small while maintaining full control of his vision.
Taking the Leap of Faith
By 2022, the business had gained enough traction for Thabo to make another life-changing decision, he resigned from his teaching job to focus full-time on IClean.Dishwashing.Liquid. Many would have hesitated, but Thabo understood something crucial: growth requires commitment.
The transition wasn’t just about quitting a job; it was about stepping into leadership. Managing a detergent manufacturing company required not only technical know-how but also operational discipline and marketing insight. He poured his energy into refining his production process, improving product quality, and developing packaging that would appeal to local consumers.
Building a Brand from the Ground Up
Unlike big competitors with massive marketing budgets, Thabo relied on word-of-mouth, community engagement, and product trust. His focus was simple, make a detergent that works and make it accessible.
The brand’s authenticity and consistency became its greatest marketing tool. Customers appreciated the fact that IClean was a proudly South African product created by someone who understood their needs. This connection between brand and community laid a strong foundation for organic growth.
Over time, Thabo’s vision expanded beyond dishwashing liquid. IClean.Dishwashing.Liquid evolved into a full-scale manufacturing company producing a variety of household cleaning products. What started as a small operation turned into a factory, a tangible symbol of what can happen when purpose meets persistence.
Overcoming Challenges with Innovation
Every entrepreneur faces challenges, and Thabo’s path was no different. From sourcing raw materials to managing logistics and scaling production, each stage demanded adaptability. But his background in education gave him a unique edge, he approached every obstacle as a learning opportunity.
Instead of rushing growth, Thabo focused on process improvement. He invested in better machinery, trained his staff, and standardized his production to maintain consistent quality. These decisions not only improved efficiency but also prepared the business for sustainable expansion.
Empowering the Next Generation
Perhaps one of the most inspiring aspects of Thabo’s story is his commitment to youth empowerment. Having once been a teacher, he continues to impact young people, this time through job creation and mentorship. His factory employs many young South Africans, providing both income and practical experience in manufacturing and business operations.
In doing so, Thabo has turned his company into more than just a business. It’s a platform for empowerment, a space where education and entrepreneurship meet to create real economic change.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Thabo’s journey with IClean.Dishwashing.Liquid offers several valuable insights for anyone dreaming of building a business:
- Start with what you have. Use your skills, knowledge, and current resources to get started. Perfection is not the goal, progress is.
- Reinvest and grow strategically. Thabo’s growth came from reinvesting profits and scaling when the time was right.
- Stay close to your community. Building trust and credibility locally can drive long-term success.
- Empower others as you grow. A business that uplifts people creates a stronger legacy than one that only focuses on profit.
A Legacy Rooted in Purpose
From teaching business theory to living it out in real time, Thabo Khateane’s story is a lesson in courage, patience, and faith in one’s vision. IClean.Dishwashing.Liquid stands as proof that with persistence, self-belief, and the right mindset, ordinary beginnings can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
For young entrepreneurs across South Africa, Thabo’s journey is not just inspiration, it’s a roadmap. Start small. Stay consistent. Keep learning. And never underestimate where your own hands can take you.
