by Yolanda Ndhlovu, founder of Essy Sandisiwe
When I was in university, 2 years ago, I wondered how my life would end up. I was worried. My academics were bad as I was involved with student activism and part-time jobs. I was a full-time student that studied part-time.
I was a pregnant unemployed graduate. I had to step up for my precious boy’s arrival. I was not born with entrepreneurship flowing in my blood, life kind of forced that on me. I started approaching people asking to manage their social media pages. It worked, it gave me the necessary money to have a low-key baby shower, a stroller, baby cot, baby clothes, while my husband saved money for the baby’s education.
Before I knew it, I was an entrepreneur with a fledgling organisation - Bhekizenzo Foundation. I was in the communities, empowering and sharing my story. I was motivating young people. I was drafting this mentorship program because I was passionate about empowering and developing those that come after me. I was preparing for a launch and I was participating in toastmasters as way to develop myself. I was really doing it. I was being interviewed about it. What? An entrepreneur - a social entrepreneur!
Here is the thing about entrepreneurship. People buy great products sure, but most people buy from people they like and trust. Work on having a great product but also work on yourself.
Good entrepreneurs are passionate. They have undergone their self-discovery and self-development journeys. Good entrepreneurs are resilient because they will face more rejection than opportunities. Good entrepreneurs are flexible. They adapt to the environment; they adapt their products and price. They plan and anticipate problems and draft contingency plans. But who wants to be just “good?”
Great successful entrepreneurs are leaders. Leadership seems verbose and caries a connotation that says you must have a grand title. I am founder and Director at Bhekizenzo Foundation and that means nothing! When we first started, I was setting up for activations, cooking the food we will cater, I hosted and MC my own events and lastly, I was cleaning up after every activation. I got my hands dirty. Why? Because leadership is not about the title, it is about getting your hands dirty too. You cannot delegate if you do not have a clue on what needs to be done. Get your hands dirty and then delegate because delegation means you understand that the vision is bigger than yourself and your abilities.
A great leader is a leader that lifts others as she rises. There is something to be said about leaders who empower and assist those coming after them. It is funny how we think mentorship is something western. It is not. Mentorship is an African notion that says, “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” it says, “it takes a village” it says, “each one, teach one” We know this as Africans, yet we do not do it. We do not want to pass on information. A great leader does not rise alone. Get a mentor and become a mentor.
Leadership is about walking away from something and it does not fail after you have gone. How? By teaching and having a succession plan. Mentorship is at the core.
People buy from people they like. People like selfless people - mentors. People buy from people they trust. People trust proactive and humble leaders.
In your journey on being an excellent, successful entrepreneur, I hope you can marry entrepreneurship, leadership and mentorship.
