Matthew Cigler-Profile

Matt was a key member of our syndicate group and a great person to work with. He was also a great team player who was never shy to take on a leadership role when needed. He has a very astute business sense, and can hit the ground running when tasted with a project. Matt has a well-rounded understanding of business strategies and is able to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously. Matt is a hard worker and makes a great effort to carry out tasks to the best of his ability and was very good at building strong relationships.

Linkedin: https://za.linkedin.com/pub/vivianne-ihekweazu/3/558/97a, Email: vivianne.ihekweazu@gmail.com,        Website: http://www.tedxeuston.com/

(May 31, 2014, Vivianne studied with Matthew at Gordon Institute Of Business Science - PDBA)

In 2013, I embarked on the GIBS MBA full time program and during this period I had the opportunity to meet and study alongside Matthew. I was immediately impressed by his giving nature, always willing to help a fellow classmate, or the those in need through the TAC initiative, or through his mentor-ship in the GIBS Goldman Sachs 10000 women initiative. In addition, Matthew was driving separate business interests whilst studying and clearly demonstrated his ability to juggle multiple projects and handle pressure.

Matthew's contribution to the business dialogue in class, provided greater discussion opportunities and clearly demonstrated his broad business acumen. But it was always his entrepreneurial flair that caught the attention as he proved himself time and again as an out of the box thinker, and a shrewd negotiator.

Matthew was always aware of gaps in his experience and resume, and was open to suggestions and advice in his pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement. From what I have seen, Matt clearly demonstrates the flair required to be a successful entrepreneur, whilst also the capability of being a solid all round businessman. I firmly believe he will go from strength to strength in his career and believe his broader view to life, and particularly those he can influence, will provide him with great perspective as to what is important.

  Tel: +27 11 918 1348 (Home), Linkedin: https://za.linkedin.com/pub/karl-thorington/8/239/899, Email: karl.thorington@yahoo.com

(June 1, 2014, Karl studied with Matthew at Gordon Institute Of Business Science - MBA)

Matthew is one of the few naturally gifted leaders that I have come across. He is visionary and possesses very good interpersonal and leadership skills. I have witnessed him interact with various people from all walks of life and I am amazed at how easily he is able to adapt and command the same level of respect across the board.

I worked very briefly with Matthew on a start up venture and was very impressed at his insights about the various day to day business challenges and opportunities we encountered. I was especially impressed with his self awareness, especially for someone as relatively young as he is.

Matthew is passionate about business and the development of South Africa and it's people. His experience as an entrepreneur and a philanthropist are evident in everything he does. A good team player and person I would be happy to work with again in future.

Linkedin: https://za.linkedin.com/pub/kgothatso-meka/45/bab/944, Email: kgothatsomeka@gmail.com

(June 11, 2014, Kgothatso was with another company when working with Matthew at The T.A.C Initiative)

We Got Style has outsourced our Cocktail party package to Behind Bars on more than one occasion.

They have always given us great advice on what the best option for our clients would be, especially if the client is on a strict budget.

I have only dealt with Matthew and Justin and would highly recommend their services as I find them professional, pleasant and easy to work with.

Cell: +2782 959 3046, Tel: 011 022 6073, Fax to email: 0865510412, Email: caren@wegotstyle.co.za

(2009, Caren was with this company when working with Matthew at Behind Bars)

"To whom it may Concern

Matthew Cigler

Matthew Cigler worked as a service provider to the catering industry. During this time it was my privilege to make use of his services

I always found Matthew to be reliable, open and honest and able to provide outstanding service. He has the ability to understand instructions and act upon them with very satisfactory results.

I would recommend Matthew for any position which requires integrity, honesty and diligence"

Peter Asbury
27 May 2014

Cell: +2782 330 2910, Tel: 011 262 2560, Fax: 086 721 2120, Email: peter@thebackyard.co.za

(2010, Peter was with this company when working with Matthew at Behind Bars)

"Matthew Cigler is an enthusiastic and highly capable young professional. He has a great mix of corporate professional and entrepreneurial skills which enable him to be dynamic professional. He works well in teams, bringing high work ethic but with an element of fun and humour. I had the pleasure of working in the same syndicate group as Matthew while completing the MBA at GIBS. I learn much from him. Matthew thrives in interactive environments. He was a great contributor to discussions in class, adding value from experience but also willing to learn in areas where he was not as strong. He is honest and very kind, paying for his colleagues beers after some of the tough exams we had. It was indeed a pleasure working and studying with Mr Cigler."
Tebogo Moalusi
27 May 2014

Tel: 0832909044 (Mobile)   , Linkedin: https://za.linkedin.com/pub/tebogo-moalusi-mba/12/3ab/a8a, Email: tebogo@btgh.co.za

(June 1, 2014, Tebogo studied with Matthew at Gordon Institute Of Business Science - MBA)

2015-2021 (Current) Co-Founder/Director – Baby Star

Role/Title: Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Website: www.yourbabystar.com

Baby Star started as an online platform selling imported high quality yet affordable baby attire. It has however grown into a business that also supplies the leading retailers in South Africa with both branded and white label clothing. Production now takes place locally and the business is growing nicely. Providing valuable skills and building the business over the years has been a key
contribution of mine in a team setting.

I am one of four directors at Baby Star. Although I am currently acting in a consulting capacity as head office and production has moved to Johannesburg, I was instrumental in the business’s inception as one of the founders and have worked as Chief Operation’s Officer:
 

My responsibilities here have included:

- Setting up the business
- General running of the business
- Obtaining the necessary finance
- Social media and general marketing management
- Making strategic decisions alongside the other shareholders and overseeing the general
well being and growth of the business
- Legal consultation
- Creating and implementing the necessary systems
- Analysing and creating reports
- Business Development
- Managing the production line at the factory in Cape Town
- Customer care s well as dealing with all the relevant stakeholders in and around the
business.

Reason for leaving: I am still involved, however in a limited capacity which does not take up a lot of my time whilst I am pursuing new things.

- Owner/Founder

- Innovative management consultancy providing a number of business services/solutions.

- Services: Investment/Support Network/Funding, Management Consulting, BP Development, Executive Recruitment, Sustainability Consulting, Marketing Development, Other

- Website: www.ministryofmanagement.org

Business Development, Sales & Marketing Executive (Head)

Mar 2014 – May 2015

Business Development, Sales & Marketing Executive
Fermax S.A
27A Moore Avenue
Johannesburg 1501
 

Information:

FERMAX is a Spanish family business based in Valencia, Spain.

The company, founded by Mr. Fernando Maestre in 1949, is specialized in designing communication and access control systems, both digital and
analogue, enjoying a prominent position among the world leading brands.

FERMAX currently has subsidiaries and representative offices in Spain, UK, France, China, India, Dubai, Singapore, Polska, Russia, Colombia,
Vietnam, Bahrain, USA and Turkey.

Our products are also sold in another 70 countries.

With subsidiaries and representative offices in 14 countries, FERMAX is placed among the most important brands in the world.

Website:

www.fermax.com

and

www.fermax.co.za

Co-Founder

Aug 2011 – Present

Information:

A non profit informal organization that aims to give back to the community through various initiatives and consulting.

Such initiatives basically include impacting on the lives of the less fortunate by performing weekly tasks such as:

- Playing with orphanage children
- Helping the terminally ill
- Visiting the elderly
- Collecting clothes and blankets for the poor
- Participating in animal food collections

- Assisting other organizations in need of a helping hand through management assistance

We aim to stay non-professional and through initiatives improve the quality of life for the big and the small.

Most initiatives will be held as an event and updates of happening and news will be posted via our various marketing plans.

An online platform is also facilitated whereby active members in their various communities have the ability to make contacts and create their own initiatives; with a higher reach.

Website:

- http://thetacinitiative.wix.com/the-tac-initiative

and

- FB Community Group

and

- FB Community Page

Mentor/Coach 

Jun 2013 – Apr 2014

Anchor Mentor and Support for group coaching and mentoring

Information:

The 10,000 Women initiative was launched in 2008 by the Goldman Sachs Foundation,
providing 10,000 women from across 43 countries with business and management education, mentoring and networking. 

10,000 Women has supported women from countries as diverse as Liberia, Egypt, Brazil, India and China through a network of

90 academic and nonprofit partners. More than 30 of the world’s leading
business schools have participated in the program. The initiative is founded on research conducted by Goldman Sachs – Womenomics and Women Hold up Half the Sky – the World Bank and others which suggests that such an investment can have a significant impact on GDP growth.

Website:

http://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000women/about-the-program/

Co-Owner/Founder 

Mar 2007 – Jan 2010

Mobile Bar Services, Function Staffing and Full Event Management in Service Industry

Website:

www.behindbars.co.za

- Lounge Around (Manager)

- Goldman Sachs 10 000 Women (Mentor/Coach)

- Sheryl Pincas Accounting (Admin Assistance)

- The Support Room (Writer)

- Section 27 (Social Strategy Developer)

2018-2021 Owner/Founder – Pugsley & Wednesday Pets

Role/Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Website: www.pawpets.co.za
Pugsley and Wednesday (PAW) Pets is a dog day-care centre, grooming parlour, pet retail and online
store based in the hub of Sea Point, Cape Town.
The business was established in early 2018 due to my love for animals and realising a gap in the
market for a friendly boutique type of establishment servicing more than one pet service under the
same roof. The business is named after my two dogs and it remains popular amongst its local patrons
and their pets despite my exit in 2021, when I sold the business to a larger more established
organisation in the pet industry.
This predominantly brick and mortar business faced a lot of environmental challenges throughout my
involvement – ranging from the severe water crisis in Cape Town to surviving the worst days of Covid-
19 in which it not only persevered but also grew during these times of disaster.
Unlike my joint role in the management and inception of Baby Star (mentioned above), I was
responsible for managing the entire business, staff, and customers without the support of an executive
team.
My responsibilities here have included:
- Setting up the business
- General running of the business
- Obtaining the necessary finance
- Hiring, Leading, and managing the businesses 10 staff members
- Social media and general marketing management
- Making strategic decisions without the support of an executive team
- Legal consultation
- Creating and implementing the necessary systems
- Analysing and creating reports
- Inventory Management
- Business Development
- Customer care as well as dealing with all the relevant stakeholders in and around the
business.
Reason for leaving: The business was sold in 2021 to a larger organisation in the industry.

Main Operational Platform: Physical Business/Facebook

Type: Page,Group, NGO, Community Organization

Info:

• Category

  Other : Community

• Name:

  The T.A.C Initiative

• Web Address: http://thetacinitiative.wixsite.com/the-tac-initiative

  FB Page: www.facebook.com/TheTacInitiative

  FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/272972959406225/

• Start Date:

  2011

• Short Description:

  We are a non profit informal organization that aims to give back to the community through various initiatives.
  Please like our page to show your support !

Main Operational Platform: Tangible Business Services/Digital Services/Online Business

Type: Online Community Based Business

Info:

• Category

  Business

• Name:

  JHB Pets Unleashed

• Web Address:

  www.facebook.com/JHBPetsUnleashed

• Start Date:

  2015

• Short Description:

  JHB Pets Unleashed is the first online pet protector business in Johannesburg, South Africa

Main Operational Platform: Facebook and Blogspot

Type: Page and Blog

Info: 15 000 + Followers

• Category

   People: Fictional Character

• Name:

  Scars, Scabs and Beautiful Things
• Facebook Web Address: www.facebook.com/scarsscabsbeautifulthings

• Start Date:

   Created on August 28, 2012

• Short Description:

  Life is a roller coaster - It encompasses many things such as humor, pain, change, friendship, beauty, love and anger........this is the human
  condition

• Email:

  scarsandscabs@outlook.com

• Website:

   http://www.scarsandscabs.blogspot.com/

Main Operational Platform: Tangible Business Services/Digital Services/Online Business

Type: Online Business

Info:

• Category

  Business

• Name:

  My Task Commander

• Web Address:

  www.mytaskcommander.com

• Start Date:

  2015

• Short Description:

  My Task Commander is a virtual marketplace that allows people to outsource various jobs and tasks to others

Main Operational Platform: Facebook

Type: Page

Info:

• Category

  Other : Community

• Name:

  Taking Back Mandela's Dream

• Facebook Web Address:

  www.facebook.com/TakingBackMandelasDream

• Start Date:

  2013

• Short Description:

  Focus around the past with lack of vision towards the future. The past is important as to what we what we have learned but, as in many cases, may prove to stunt a nation if it is the sole focus. This page is dedicated to inter-racial networking and the new

Main Operational Platform: Facebook

Type: Page

Info:

• Category

  Other : Community

• Name:

  The JHB Party Community

• Facebook Web Address:

  www.facebook.com/TheJhbPartyCommunity

• Start Date:

  2013

• Short Description:

  Be a part of the latest parties and events in JHB - feel free to comment about your experiences, promote and engage :) !!!

Main Operational Platform: Digital Services & Facebook

Type: Page, Digital Service Provider and Community Organization

Info:

• Category

  Other : Community

• Name:

  Thesis Research Community Lab

• Facebook Web Address:

  www.facebook.com/ThesisResearchCommunityLab

• Start Date:

  2013

• Short Description:

  Page to test quant and qual research papers with a global reach for everyone doing any form of thesis

Main Operational Platform: Tangible Business Services/Digital Services/ Facebook and Community based organization

Type: Page

Info:

• Category

  Other : Community

• Name:

  The Entrepreneur Plant

• Facebook Web Address:

  www.facebook.com/TheEntrepreneurPlant

• Start Date:

  2013

• Short Description:

  The Entrepreneur Plant facilitates communication and networking
  capabilities for entrepreneurs and business owners from a local and
  global perspective.Tools and publications are posted and shared by admin, however members are encouraged to engage together

Main Operational Platform: N/A

Type: Personal Photography/Travel Photography

Info:

• Category

  Personal Photography/Travel Photography

• Name:

  Mac Photography

• Web Address:

  www.facebook.com/mac.photography.page

• Start Date:

  2013

• Short Description:

  Various photographs taken by M.Cigler all around the world

Main Operational Platform: N/A

Type: Tangible Business Services

Info:

• Category

  Travel/Leisure/Business Service

• Name:

  Robreck Mulanje Experiences

• Web Address:

  ww.facebook.com/robreckmulanje

• Start Date:

  2013

• Short Description:

  Mulanje Experiences & Guided Tours - Malawi

CREW: Ryan Peimer : Director, Writer, Editor, Sound Design Tilo Spargel : Producer, 1st Assistant Director. Joshua Shifrin : Production Manger Matthew Cigler : Prod. Co-ordinator & 2nd A.D. Amy Meyer Prod Co-ordinator & 3rd A.D.

Click here to watch the video

Teddy Bear Clinic For Abused Children

Day Care Volunteer: July 2012

Facilitator/Organizer: Daph Dinur (Teddy Bear Clinic South Africa)

Company Website: http://ttbc.org.za/

Click here for further images and information about initiative

A letter from Lizzy (Head of Thuthuzela Orphanage) regarding an exciting project, thanking all those involved

Please see corresponding image or click here for further information

The aim of this research assignment was to assess the delivery of Capitec’s brand promise using the marketing principles explored during the MBA Marketing module as a Syndicate. An overview of Capitec in the context of the South African banking industry was provided, the research methodology used was outlined and an analysis of the delivery of their brand promise was evaluated. The findings were then summarized and recommendations made for an international bank looking to expand their footprint into the South African market.

In addition to the written assignment submission was the requirement to create a YouTube video as per the below link:

Link to video: Click Here

Syndicate group members: Matthew Cigler, Vivianne Ihekweazu, Ziyaad Jina, Londiwe Mgcina, Noma Ngubane, Sebastian Pieterse, Ruhin Rajkumar

Syndicate members featured in video: Matthew Cigler and Londiwe Mgcina

Submission date: 21 Feb 2013 (full assignment available upon request)

An initiative, run through The T.A.C Initiative - 2012, whereby participants grew beards for lengthy periods in exchange for supporting donations online.

Resulting funds raised were given to CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa.

Click here for more information

Images also available here

Successful clothing drive in aid of Yad Aharon - 2012 - via The T.A.C Initiative

Click here for further details

Assistance given to Section 27 with the creation and compiling of a new social strategy for their 'Friends of Section 27' campaign 2013/14

Company details: SECTION27 is a public interest law centre that seeks to influence, develop and use the law to protect, promote and advance human rights. Their name is drawn from the section in the South African Constitution which enshrines everyone's right to health care, food, water and social security.

Click here for Summary Social Campaign Doc

Cinematic and media writing assistance for the production of a South African Institute of Funding promotional follow up video for potential investors 2015.

Production company assisted: Flash Forward Productions

Website of FF Productions available here

The Support Room assists customers apply practical, workable solutions to get their business noticed online. Assistance was given for a few of their clients (2013).

Web design, Branding, Social Media, Google Advertising and Email Marketing - they do it all

http://thesupportroom.co.za/

Organized an interesting campaign through Fermax South Africa in 2015; whereby all distributing branches at Elvey were requested to create an in-store Fermax display over a period of time.

Competing branch displays were posted online and judged according to social media, as well as in-store, responses.

The winning branch won a series of prizes and was afforded the ability to donate a sum of money to a charity of their choice.

Pictures and information relating to this campaign available here

The 10,000 Women initiative was launched in 2008 by the Goldman Sachs Foundation, providing 10,000 women from across 43 countries with business and management education, mentoring and networking. 

Participated as a business plan marking, anchor mentor and coach in 2014 which proved to be an extremely rewarding experience.

Click here for further information on the initiative.

Investment project, with a partner, that commenced in 2014 involving the purchase, renovation, management and acquisition of a tenant - ground unit apartment located in Rivonia, South Africa.

Participated as a Counselor (Madrich) for 3 week summer camp in 2004; involving taking care of younger campers, planning/arranging activities and general supervision.

Information on camp/youth movement:

There are few experiences in life as unique as the South African Zionist Summer Camps - The Machanot.

Every year at Habonim Dror Machaneh, thousands of young Jews are transformed into responsible, accountable and socially conscious young people.

For three weeks in December, Habonim Dror hosts a world-famous summer camp that is the highlight of thousands of young people's year. This entails three weeks of fun and sun on their beautiful campsite in Onrus. Sleeping beneath the trees, relaxing everyday on the beach, playing sport, learning new crafts, singing songs you'll only ever sing at Habonim Dror, sitting and chatting around campfires and making life-long friends that become a part of your life forever!

Habonim prides itself on maintaining the highest level of child-care which is guaranteed by their highly trained team of two hundred madrichim (counsellors) – many of whom have spent a year in Israel undergoing intense hadracha (leadership ) and chinnuch (education) training.

Habonim is a safe and secure environment for kids from across Southern Africa – including Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, The Eastern Cape, Durban, Bloemfontein, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Here, young Jewish children have the chance to meet one another and share in an identity shaping Jewish and Zionist experience. They are privileged to have a number of foreign children and madrichim joining them from Israel, Australia, the US and England, amongst other places.

Click here for website

Creation and co-ordination of Fermax international augmented reality app social campaign showcase in South Africa 2014.

Taking place at the Weisenhof Craft Beer Golf Day, players were invited to be a part of this app by getting their picture taken, participating in a competition and receiving a follow up mail with the digital photograph comprising further information.

Click here for pictures or click here for information about the app itself.

Participated as a business plan judge for FT MBA students at GIBS for their fulfillment of one of the requirements to obtain their qualifications. This was an interesting experience having completed the same course as them one year earlier (2013/14) and then having the opportunity to view the same process from a different standpoint.

Participated as a wildlife conservation volunteer for 4 weeks in Costa Rica

Information:

Set between its tropical Caribbean and Pacific coasts, Costa Rica is one of the most breath-taking countries in the world. Even though it covers just 0.03% of the world’s landmass, it is home to an incredible 500,000 species including jaguars, pumas, four species of monkeys and five species of turtle.

This is the highest density of species of any country in the world.

Frontier volunteers are carrying out groundbreaking survey work, exploring Costa Rica's remote habitats and helping to combat the effects of global warming by establishing a baseline against which future protected area management can be assessed.

On this project volunteers will live in a wilderness camp set in dense tropical forest on the shores of the Pacific Ocean next to pristine turtle beaches.

Participants live and work with other enthusiastic and energetic volunteers at a basic research camp near some of Costa Rica's most impressive protected areas. Volunteers carry out crucial surveys that are being used to find out how climate change is affecting endangered species and threatened habitats.

Jaguars, sloths, pumas and turtles are just a fraction of the species here that are under threat; it is their job to help find out how to best protect these species and preserve their environment.

The long term goal of this project is to investigate the effects of climate change on biodiversity and the subsequent implications of climate change upon Costa Rica's network of protected areas.

The project addresses four important questions in order to safeguard the future of Costa Rica's economically and biologically important natural heritage:

- What effect is global warming having on the biodiversity within Costa Rica's system of protected areas?

- What future effect is global warming likely to have on the biodiversity within Costa Rica's system of protected areas?

- Is there adequate existing connectivity between habitat blocks within Costa Rica, and within the Mesoamerican hotspot as a whole, to allow ecosystem migration?

- What conservation efforts can and need to be put in place to ensure the continued existence,where possible, of the ecosystems which typify the natural habitats of Costa Rica?

Click here for more information on this project

Pets JHB: 'Words cannot begin to express our gratitude to Matt Cigler & JHB Pets Unleashed for the incredible donation received of R10 000 towards our precious boy Shandy's stay at kennels. Since being surrendered back to us - Shandy has been staying in kennels for over 2 months while we looked for a foster or forever home for him to go to. Because we are not a shelter, we are reliant on the public to foster our rescues and when we don't find a foster home we have to kennel them until we do. We are very pleased to stay Shandy recently did find a foster home with his orginal foster mom Olivia Stirling who fostered him as a pup and we are so grateful to her for taking him in again while he looks for a forever home. But his two and a half month stay at kennels cost us just over R15 000. Money which we don't have. So we are so grateful to Matthew and JHB Pets Unleashed for coming to our aid and sponsoring the bill for the rest of Shandy's stay while he was at kennels. This has lifted an enormous burden off our shoulders. JHB Pets Unleashed is the First Online Pet Protector Business in Johannesburg that is fast GAINING MOMENTUM AND RECEIVING A LOT OF ATTENTION. Please take a moment to read more about what they do here : http://www.bizaffiliate.net/jhb-pets-unleashed-online-pet-protector/'