Striving

99% of the people who say they need capital, fail to impress potential investors or even bankers, simply because they speak with language that suggests they will lose the money!

Don’t confuse investors with donors, who want to do something to help young people. A donor is a donor, and an investor is an investor.

What is more important than supporting successful youth-led businesses that create jobs, create wealth and at the same time help the continent as a whole become a net EXPORTER of food? Yes, Africa feeding itself and also the world!

If you are serious about raising capital, make yourself investable.

The global food market is huge and the need for food never-ending. With so many uncertainties across the Earth, there is at least one thing we can count on: Everyone will continue to need nutritious food... Always and forever.

Focus, Focus, focus! You might miss the opportunity of a lifetime.

Take time out to rest. Have medical check-ups regularly, even when you feel ok. Maintenance is better than repair! Participate in activities that take you away from your business activities. Social enterprises, be active in your community.

An entrepreneur is always prepared!

As a young entrepreneur, don’t imagine that you can approach a large company and propose a partnership simply based on an idea. Unless you are holding an exclusive license to something, a legally protected IP, or an existing business. Otherwise, just ask for a job!

Running or setting up a business is one of the most stressful activities on earth! It is also extremely stressful working with or for an entrepreneur. You need to look after yourself.

You can make money, or excuses, but not both..

We fight in the conditions and not the conditions. Your political influence and power will never be greater than the grace I enjoy. These became my statements of faith.

What do you do when you have an “idea”? When you have an idea, first of all, have the humility to appreciate that the probability that someone else has had the same idea, even before you, is 99%!

Investors prefer people who have co-founders. When I started Econet, I realized that my knowledge of raising money for something this big was not enough. I persuaded a friend of mine who worked as an international banker to join me as a “co-founder”.

Unless you are holding an exclusive license or patent, be careful about talking carelessly to people, and writing about your idea openly

You must be honest in assessing your own capability, as well as weaknesses.

As entrepreneurs, there is no point in discussing an idea unless we are prepared to put it into practice. Real entrepreneurs are practical! We learn to DO!!

I have long argued that financial literacy, tech skills, and entrepreneurship classes should be taught before young people graduate from secondary school.

Let us continue to pray without ceasing. The prayers of the righteous have the power to unlock any situation. Don’t let anyone suggest to you that “prayer isn’t enough”—there is no force in the Universe, greater than the prayer of faith!

There are two things you can be guaranteed that all humans do: They eat! - They produce waste! Handling waste is a huge global industry, and in places like Europe and the US, waste companies are listed on the Stock Exchange, and are worth billions!