Is changing your present situation in life a priority for you?
Are you longing to be successful?
Do you want to feel secure?
Do something you love doing and have a passion for?
Mean something to other people?
Be your own boss and captain of your own ship?
Then your way to a new life is through becoming an entrepreneur as best as you can.
Let the following story be your inspiration to commence your journey as well.
“I was sitting in my office, staring at a painting of two people standing side by side. Both of them happen to be me. One figure when I was twelve years old, the other at thirty years of age. I have many bad memories of the time when I was around twelve years old.
One Saturday I was sitting on the pavilion at our school watching a field day taking place. I hardly knew what was happening out on the field. My eyes were glued to the kids around me enjoying plenty of sweats, cool drinks and other goodies. The last time I had something to eat was yesterday when I had to make do with a slice of bread and a cup of coffee – that’s all. I was hungry, really hungry. My empty pockets provided no solution. I felt helpless with those kids not taking any notice of me. They simply ignored me. I withdrew from them. My T Shirt and shorts could not keep the cool wind from my body. The only warmth was the tears on my cheeks. I was unhappy, confused and jealous of the children. I did my best not to show my tears.
I was angry because we were poor, had very little money to buy anything. I was angry with my parents, yes, I was angry with the whole wide world. The house we stayed in was so small we could hardly fit in there. We did not have a car to drive around with. All this left me depressed, ashamed and feeling totally helpless. At that point I had no self-esteem or self confidence. Everything was a mess and I was part of that mess.
All of a sudden a huge pair of shoes stood right next to me. Trying to jump up and sitting down again was one action. Before I could do anything a calm voice asked me “Do you mind if I sit down?” I was bewildered but somehow told him to sit down. He introduced himself as Conrad. I was speechless. I can recall he said something like “maybe we should get something to eat.”
Even to this day I can still taste and smell those lovely pies and hotdogs we ate. What a treat that was. He could not stay long. With a “see you soon” he left me all to myself. For the next couple of weeks there was no sign of Uncle Conrad
It was time for our summer school holidays. There was nothing to look forward to, the same as with all the previous holidays. I felt miserable to say the least—or that was what I thought. Uncle Conrad had in the meantime spoken to our school principal as well as to my parents on several occasions and told them he wanted to sponsor all my needs and expense. They approved his proposal. Never in my wildest dreams could I at that stage, imagine what was to happen to me over the next six years.
A totally new world awaited me. I got to see his beautiful office complex. On my first visit there I got the coolest pair of tackies as a present. The next thing he asked me to come along with him and his wife aunt Leonie because they wanted to take me for a drive and show me something. I still remember I managed to nod a “yes”. That Friday afternoon we travelled through the city with huge buildings towering above us. They seemed to reach the clouds above. It felt like hundreds of cars and trucks surrounded us. The car we travelled in was a beauty. After a while we were on a free-way and soon farms, dams, cattle and horses replaced those tall buildings. All the while I was dead quiet, staring at everything passing by. I was overwhelmed by what was happening to me. Next thing we slowed down and entered this most beautiful farm driving through those gardens and then stopping in front of this awesome house left me without words. Imagine I had my own room for the weekend! Opening the wardrobe I was confronted by a whole new set of clothing, the best of everything and fit for each occasion.
My mind raced in all directions, trying to come to grips with all the lovely things happening to me. We played and ate and laughed like never before. The pedigree horses in their stables, all the cattle in the various feedlots, barns filled to the top with lucernes with tractors and other equipment neatly parked and ready for use.
“Please, please never let this stop or disappear” I silently said to myself. As we strolled over to the house I somehow managed to say “This is beautiful, I enjoy this.” At first uncle Conrad said nothing but then all of a sudden he replied “I’m glad you enjoy it.”
So the weekends went by, the school holidays one after the other. A new dream began to grow. I wanted to be a farmer when I grow up. I was given my own dog, and soon I was the proud owner of my own horse. Uncle Conrad called me over to one of the feedlots and allocated five calves, with tags on their ears, to me saying these calves are your first step in becoming a farmer and a successful entrepreneur. Follow what you are told to do, take responsibility for and all that goes with it. It is up to you to make a success of your dream and see this reality become sustainable and make you good money. Don’t forget the calves are not a present. Once you are in business you can repay me their present value.
“Uncle Conrad, why are you helping me with all these things”, I asked. He was quiet for a few seconds and then his mind blowing answer hit me. “Because I believe in you and know you can. You are a WINNER.” My heart raced. Somebody had said I am a winner, somebody believed in me and reckoned I could do something well and reach my goals. All of this was wonderful but I had to work hard to reach those goals. Remember, I still had all my school work to attend to and make my grades. His words had changed my life to this very day.
As time went on I continued to learn a lot of things. So many new discoveries, experiences, surprises and the excitement that goes along with it. I discovered the joys of friendships but also having to work together and along with other people on the farm, of laughter and having to think for myself and make decisions. In the beginning I had to focus hard on keeping my room tidy and organized. No pushing shoes and socks under the bed! Little did I realise at that time that all these items were part of becoming a successful entrepreneur. As time went on I learnt a very important lesson . All the things and support I received from uncle Conrad would come to nothing unless I was able to manage it properly and use every step forward as a building block towards achieving my goals. The secret lies in the fact that I was responsible for managing the things offered to me, I had to make it work. HOW-BY BEING FOCUSSED, WORKING HARD AND BEING DEDICATED TO COME OUT TOPS. I had to work according to a business plan to start building my enterprise in such a way that it will be both profitable and sustainable.
We could continue with my story one page after the other. Make no mistake there were many days when things were difficult. That’s when you learn to ride those storms and find answers and solutions. Let us leave that for another day and talk about that soon. One last highlight: After finishing school I studied further, all expenses paid. I married and being an entrepreneur I manage three businesses of my own. One of them is my farm. How did that come about?
We received a call from Uncle Conrad to come over and visit them. Upon getting there he and aunt Leonie wanted to go and show us something on the farm next to theirs. We got there. Everything was in perfect condition except for the fact that it was very quiet and the main house seemed locked up. We got out of our vehicle and followed them up to the front door. Uncle Conrad pulled out a bunch of keys giving it to me to try and unlock the front door. With that done he told me,” You better keep them it’s yours now. We can at a later stage talk about repaying me, now you first have a business to attend to. What do you say?”
WHAT IMPORTANT ASPECTS DO WE RECOGNISE FROM THE STORY WHICH IS OF IMPOTANCE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP?
- Warmth and friendliness: you need to show that in your business and towards employees.
- Energy – you have to be energetic, in good health and expect your employees, if any, to be the same.
- Uncle Conrad enjoyed playing and having fun to but as far as the actual work is concerned he expected nothing less than loyalty, logic in your actions and the ability to think and analyse situations and challenges which need attention. This also contributed to our teen becoming very well organized. All these factors need to be present in your own business so as to ensure the smooth running thereof.
- Our teenager was very appreciative towards Uncle Conrad for all the assistance, support and help that he received over the years from him. He could not thank him enough. This coin has two sides to it namely that you in your business should be appreciative towards your employees and the positive inputs he/she or they are making. On the other side they should be appreciative towards you as their employer for the opportunities you provide and the benefits they have by being employed.
- Uncle Conrad and his wife certainly made our teen feel welcome and he definitely felt that he belonged. How you treat your employees and customers to make them feel that they belong and are valued is really important. In return you will have their loyalty and support.
- Our teen had the opportunity to network and in doing so meet new people and learn new skills he did not have before. Your business needs you to do the same by putting building blocks together to add strength, sustainability and profitability to it.
- Uncle Conrad urged our teen to stay focussed and apply his mind to his goals, take responsibility for what needs to be done and evaluate progress being made. Are you prepared to do this? Your business will appreciate your involvement.
- Remember, whatever you undertake make it an experience to be enjoyed even if it takes a lot of hard work to pull through.
Talk soon!