The Walk of Life

Have been reading many success stories of a particular group of business people who are called ‘Entrepreneurs’. There are no lack of articles about the characteristics of such a person, how they become successful, his mind-set as well as volumes of write-ups on how to emulate these Icons in their respective stations.

Vivienne, posted an article inquiring whether such people, Entrepreneurs are bred or nurtured! I guess people are divided on this but I suspect the inclination today is towards the ‘nurtured’ or else there will not be so many courses, books to guide you to become one. For those real life entrepreneurs who had taken much effort to learn and become successful will say entrepreneurs are made.

Having worked with one, who many in my country would consider him an entrepreneur, I have this to share, not so much about his qualifications, knowledge and skills but more of his personality which I personally believe accounts much to his successes.

Firstly he has a big heart and never forgets his roots. Son of a driver to a British High Ranking Official and he worked as a part-time caddy boy to help his family pay the bills. When I started working with him in his first start-up business as well as my first job after graduation, he shared his vision with me as to what he wanted to do if ever he can make-it in his business. Guess what folks? Not about expansion or building big mansions but houses for the poor who were working in the company so that their monthly installments are affordable so that these people still have money left to live decently! That speaks of his big heart don’t you agree with me? To be grateful and thankful, remembering the deprived is a characteristic of an entrepreneur.

Secondly, his relationships be it to his own peers or his subordinates is excellent because he cares about people. In those days, drug addicts and the handicapped were not given much opportunities to work once they are discharged from prison. He met this teenage boy who was queuing up at the Social Welfare for dole money for him and his granny, he saw him and he asked the teenager why he was on dole and not get a job! Upon learning this teenager’s sordid past and the problems he faced now to get a job, he turned to me and asked me to give him a job! This boy, ex-drug addict worked with us for over 20 years and today he became in his own way a successful entrepreneur! People are important and valuable assets to entrepreneurs.

Thirdly, he fears God! At one time he had prepared his prilgrimage and then a Minster called to fix a meeting on particular day regarding a huge project with our company. That day selected was right on the eve of his departure for his prilgrimage and the Minister would not agree to another date! I was so tickled when I heard him telling the Minister between obeying God and man he chosed to obey God and so off he went for his prilgrimage. The guts to say no when it is right is a mark of an entrepreneur.

Fourthly and lastly, at the prime of his achievements, he decided to call it a day and turn his back from business is something very difficult to do for entrepreneurs! To know when to retire and not be greedy, trusting and allowing the next generation to carry on with their own visions and plans is a sign of a true entrepreuner and so I too followed the same path not looking back at what we had achieved, for it tempts you and whispers to you the possibility of achieving more but to spend our remaining days sharing with the next generation, if they want to know, is itself another enterprise!