From Unemployment to Retreat Smokers King

Six years ago, Abu Sufiyaan Mc Helm found himself at a crossroads. After losing his job and facing the harsh realities of unemployment, the 37-year-old from Retreat, Cape Town, transformed his setbacks into an opportunity. Today, he proudly owns a thriving business that supplies custom-made smokers to restaurants and private clients alike.

Mc Helm’s journey took a sharp turn in 2018 when he was let go from his position as a laboratory medical assistant in clinical pathology. Reflecting on that challenging time, Mc Helm explains:

“I went through some problems in my life that led to stress and it caused me to make some mistakes at work and I lost my job. All I knew was my job and finding other work was very difficult especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

With the support of his wife, Mc Helm enrolled in a welding course at Samsons School of Welding in Ottery. His aptitude for working with his hands made welding a natural choice. However, the road ahead was anything but easy. He recalls the financial difficulties he faced during this period:

“Times were tough, we were having hardships financially and because I was ashamed to ask anyone for assistance with taxi fare, I would walk from our home in Retreat to Ottery and back home again,”

says the braai master.

Determined to turn his newfound skills into a source of income, Mc Helm’s entrepreneurial journey began in the most unexpected way. On the final day of his welding course, he stumbled upon an old oil drum on his walk home. Seizing the opportunity, he repurposed it into his first braai stand, which he soon began selling.

His business took a pivotal turn when a client requested a custom smoker. Although he had never built one before, Mc Helm accepted the challenge:

“A client asked me if I could make a smoker, not knowing even what it is I just said yes. I searched on YouTube and googled more and that is where I started making smokers. Not long after, the demand came and my skill improved.”

In 2020, Mc Helm officially launched his business, Dirty South Smokers. Despite starting with limited resources—initially working out of his yard—his dedication and craftsmanship quickly attracted attention, even securing his first international client from the United Kingdom.

“I never had a workshop and worked in the yard but now I am working independently from my sister’s garage in Mitchells Plain and if the work is a lot I would appoint someone to help and that is also income for them,”

he shares.

Today, Dirty South Smokers serves a diverse clientele, with restaurants and backyard cooking enthusiasts being some of his most loyal customers. Mc Helm’s journey from unemployment to entrepreneurship serves as a powerful reminder of the opportunities that can arise from developing practical skills.

His message to others facing similar challenges is clear:

“I want to motivate others not to give up. Having a skill can open so many doors for you and who knows, you might become the next big thing in South Africa.”

For those interested in exploring his custom smoker designs, Mc Helm can be contacted at 079 115 5050.