by Tshepo Motsoeneng.
From the outset, I’ve always had this itch to be an enabler. Call it my personal mantra or a quirky ambition, but I’ve long been drawn to the idea of “making money by doing nothing.” Back in the day, my business partner and close friend would chuckle at this notion. Yet, behind the humour lay a deeper truth: success doesn’t come from idle hopes or lottery dreams. It demands effort, dedication, and a steadfast commitment.
As I navigated my journey, I stumbled upon my knack for identifying untapped niches, assembling skilled teams to tackle them, and earning a tidy admin fee along the way. (Let’s face it, isn’t that the essence of every successful business?) What set me apart was my ability to see things from the customer’s perspective, to walk a mile in their shoes. Even during routine shopping trips, I couldn’t help but envision more efficient systems and jot down ideas in my trusty notebook. Cold calling? Not my forte. So, I refrained from bombarding companies with unsolicited pitches. Instead, I focused on leveraging my strengths: a knack for swiftly grasping industry dynamics and a gift for persuading others to invest in my ideas.
Yet, amidst my entrepreneurial pursuits, I realized I’d been missing opportunities to truly enable others. Perhaps it was a lack of clarity or a need for financial discipline. Regardless, the universe had a way of nudging me back onto the right path. Recently, I took a leap of faith, only to stumble and fall. Yes, there was disappointment, but there were lessons learned and skills honed along the way. Undeterred, I seized another opportunity. This time, I weighed my options carefully. Sure, I could’ve splurged on some fancy appliances, but instead, I chose to invest in someone’s dreams.
Now, some might argue that I could’ve pursued crowdfunding or scaled up my own ventures for greater returns. Valid points, no doubt. But for me, this journey is about more than just numbers on a balance sheet. It’s about vision, purpose, and embracing the unknown. Yes, there are risks, uncertainties, and the ever-looming spectre of failure. Yet, I march forward with unwavering confidence, knowing that every setback is just another step toward success.
So, to those who offer well-meaning advice or cautionary tales, I say this: I hear you, I appreciate you, but I’m charting my own course. I may not always have all the answers, and yes, I may even stumble along the way. But that’s the beauty of this journey—it’s mine to navigate, to embrace, and ultimately, to succeed on my own terms.
After all, if I wanted to play it safe and stick to the status quo, I’d be sitting behind a desk crunching numbers instead of forging my path as an enabler.
Here’s to the thrill of the unknown, the joy of enabling others, and the adventure that lies ahead.