Behind Every Successful Entrepreneur

Danny MeyerENTREPRENEURS can never make it on their own, was the common denominator in their personal entrepreneurial journey stories, when six seasoned entrepreneurs shared their recipe for business success with newcomers to business this week.

Drawn from differing backgrounds and business sectors, they represent Namibia’s demographics and business landscape in its widest context.

In terms of age, gender and ethnicity, the panel’s composition showed that Namibia’s business arena is wide open to anyone with the guts to go into business, provided that the motivator for venturing into the business arena includes passion, focus, commitment, honesty, integrity and a ‘can do’ attitude.

Viewed in a business sectorial context, one entrepreneur is into mining, quarrying and stone processing; another operates arguably the country’s most successful restaurant.

Then there was the founder of a radio station; and a dynamic entrepreneur who started and owns one of the country’s most successful people transport operations.

The four self starters were complemented by the head of Namibia’s largest garment maker; and the founder of an Otjiwarongo based firm which derives most of its revenue from exports, who was the sixth entrepreneur.

Clearly, it has not been an easy ride for any of the six. In their presentations, entrepreneurs at times shared very personal details of how challenges and obstacles were overcome. One could observe tears being shed by some in a captivated audience, as they listened in awe.

The six entrepreneurs liberally praised relatives, partners, staff and institutions which helped them along the way to making it in business. Even banks and government, the usual scapegoats when things tend to go wrong in business, came in for praise.

So, who are that successful persons, collective group of people or institutions who are so crucial when it comes to standing firmly behind an entrepreneur, thereby help make that person’s business a success?

There are many people and organisations, and they can largely be categorised into three groupings. Firstly, those who are nearest and dearest to an entrepreneur, and they are of course close family and at times friends.

Then there are those who will help an entrepreneur make a success of the business. They include business partners, investors, staff, customers and suppliers and providers of services, amongst others.

The last grouping is those who will help make the entrepreneur’s business fly, in a proverbial sense. Mentors, coaches or the ones an entrepreneur should routinely use as a sounding board, especially when problems and challenges are encountered or plans are being hatched to grow or diversify business. Individuals who will not hesitate to tell an entrepreneur those unpalatable things that they don’t like to hear.

This week’s column draws attention to the first or the nearest and dearest grouping. Although acknowledged in passing and in conversation by entrepreneurs or during interviews, the crucial and ever important role of a spouse or life partner is generally not brought into the public domain. The motivating factor is usually protection.

By nature, entrepreneurs are private people, and extremely protective of their spouse and children. This must not be misconstrued to mean that the important role played by the spouse of business icons such as Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Richard Branson, Harold Pupkewitz, Navin Morar and Rehoboth’s Land Benade are conveniently forgotten.

On the contrary, the proverb that behind every successful man there is a woman or vice versa also rings true for entrepreneurs.

Each of the six panellists didn’t hesitate to acknowledge the ever supportive role of a very special man or woman in their life; through thick and thin, a role nurturing in nature and unbiased when it comes to advice.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.