Gerhard Bothma
Start your entrepreneurial journey now!
Start your entrepreneurial journey now!
As a teenager, it amazed me when our teacher told us that some of us would someday do jobs and follow careers that didn't exist when our parents were born. We didn't even have computers when I finished high school! Too much to mention has changed since the 1980s when I stumbled into the world of work. After compulsory national military service – during which I became an officer (and sort of a gentleman) – I started out as a law clerk in a legal firm while studying part-time. I loved the legal environment and would never have foreseen how my journey would unfold and what I do today.
Stewart Cohen, co-founder of the Mr. Price Group, is convinced that entrepreneurship is key to the success of our country. He said: “If we could create a million entrepreneurs each employing ten people, we create jobs for the entire country.” I share this conviction and am dedicated to encouraging people to become solo-, intra-, or some type of entrepreneurs.
Okay, not everyone can be an entrepreneur. Each one of us must discover our career path. You must discover what type of employment suits you best and what you’d like to achieve. But let's be real: some of us need a gentle (or not-so-gentle) nudge out of the comfort zone. Picture this: you’re sitting on your couch, binge-watching yet another series about how to achieve your dreams, while your cat gives you the side-eye because even it knows you could be doing more with your life.
Too many people today face unemployment and the lack of income. It is never too late to start anew. I was retrenched when I was fifty years old. In the year before my sixtieth birthday, I started studying in and pursued a career in a completely different field. I could do it and you can do it.
You can become your own boss. In the United Kingdom, 59% of their private sector businesses are sole-traders, and more than 30 million people in the USA are owners of or work for small businesses. If you've ever dreamt of firing your boss, starting your own venture is the way to go. And let's face it, the thrill of being your own boss comes with perks – no awkward small talk in the break room, no one stealing your lunch from the office fridge, and you get to set your own dress code. Pajamas for Monday meetings? Why not!
There has never been a better time to start a home-based or own small business. Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon – who started out in a garage – said: “I knew that if I failed, I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.” Bezos' humble beginnings are a testament to the fact that great things can come from seemingly small starts. Plus, think of all the motivational posters you'll be able to buy for your garage-turned-office space.
Of course, entrepreneurship isn't a cakewalk. It's more like a series of obstacle courses combined with a scavenger hunt, all while juggling flaming torches. But that’s part of the fun, right? Every failure is just another plot twist in your entrepreneurial adventure. And let’s be honest, who doesn't love a good plot twist?
Work hard, stay positive, keep reading and learning, and keep believing in yourself. If you’re not yet living your dream, it is not too late to become part of the entrepreneurial movement. Whether you're 25 or 75, it's never too late to start something new. So, take that leap of faith, make that business plan, and remember to laugh at the bumps along the way. After all, if you trip over your own feet, you might as well enjoy the view from down there before getting back up. (Yes … you may count getting from the floor as a push-up for exercise).
Embrace the chaos, chase your dreams, and who knows – one day, you might be the one giving the side-eye to your cat from your very own home office.