Entrepreneur | Founder | CEO | Business Advisor
The Journey - My entrepreneurial journey started when I was 14 years old, selling ice cream in my neighbourhood in Tembisa, Gauteng. Like most township kids, I faced many challenges including poverty and had to share almost everything with my three other siblings. I had to find a way to be responsible for myself and be able do things that my parents could not do for me. My ice cream business sustained me until I was able to go to college in 1997. Fast forward, I am now the founder and CEO of Kicks Sportswear based in South Africa.
What were the biggest initial hurdles and how did you overcome them?
I come from a disadvantaged background, not everyone will believe me when I say I want to change the world and as a result because you have yourself to believe in you, you found yourself in debt just to start a business. I had to sell my house and car to start my business. Similar to now, our biggest challenge is to change the market. We are introducing a sports brand KICKS that is from Africa to the world. It’s quite a hard thing to do especially when the market is used to consume products that are from overseas to Africa, however we are slowly gaining our market share through good marketing and PR.
What books are you currently reading?
I am currently reading ``It's more than just money by Witness Mdaka. A well written book that aims to educate people to make better choices with their finances. The book also drills deep to emphasize that in whatever you do it has to be more just money.
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started?
I used to think dreams and hopes are for a selected few. However over the years I got to understand that when you don’t start nothing happens. You have to start where you are in order to start winning great things.
What advice would you give to an upcoming youth or talents locally and internationally?
Take time to learn from those who came before you, take note of their mistakes and success. If you connect and align your plan to your purpose, you can only win.