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Joe Public 2 days



These figures are a clear indication that something has to give, and that our youth should be thinking of ways to become entrepreneurs. Talking to some aspirant business owners in various settings, there is a common thread that always come across – everyone seems to think that for anyone to start a business - one needs funding. I unfortunately do not agree with this notion.
Instead, I am inclined to agree with the sentiment of Vusi Thembekwayo, business mogul and global speaker when he says that we do not need funding to start, but rather to grow an already existing business.
To paraphrase what he said on the issue of funding: “Funding is important, but it is not necessary; one can start a business without funding. This is because a business is nothing more than an application of skill for the commercial purposes. If you can be a gardener and get paid, you are already in business. You do not need money to do a garden, you just need the skill of gardening.
The mistake that many prospective entrepreneurs make especially in our townships, is to think that one needs money to start instead of looking for money to grow a business that has already been started. Any funder would be sceptical to give money to someone who has not done anything or who has not made any mistakes as yet. So, the biggest risk is that you will possibly use the funder’s money to make the mistakes; and no shrewd business investor will be comfortable with those kinds of odds.”
My advice in my first entrepreneurship column a few months ago still stands, aspirant entrepreneurs should try to go into a type of business that will not need funding to be able to start.Talking about the skill that Thembekwayo referred to, my motto from the time I started my business was always to follow my passion and do what I loved which is PR – and I know and believe that the money will follow. It’s also important to note that in business growth is gradual, it does not happen overnight. Also, business needs a lot of hard work, consistency, perseverance and huge dose of patience; without these ingredients then I am afraid - you simply will not make it.
For those that want to access funding to grow their businesses, below is a summary of what potential funders need to see in a business strategy: