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Sharpening Your Axe as An Entrepreneur

June 23, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Ntsoaki Sibiya - Mentorship Expert | Mentorship Mindset Thought Leader | Entrepreneur 

The entrepreneurial journey primes you with marks of strength and resilience. It is not an easy ride, but it is certainly a fulfilling labour of love when you walk in your authentic purpose and use your expertise, skills and talents to make a meaningful contribution in impacting the lives of others.

Growing up, I was fortunate that my parents created an environment that provided my siblings and I with the space to explore our talents and thoughts of what we wanted to become. This led me to learning the significance of environments that strengthen and support your aspirations and goals as an individual. The level of my environment induced a growth-oriented mindset which propelled me to actively channel my energy into self-development, self-leadership, participating in sports and activities that contributed to the building of my character, cultivating a strong work ethic and creating a constant hunger to learn, grow and excel.

Today, this system of thinking has shaped how I sharpen my axe as an entrepreneur and has led me to the understanding that the results of success in your entrepreneurial journey are a function of process and technique. Building a business is a lot like running a marathon. Those who have run a marathon will know that there is a level of commitment, discipline, determination and practice that goes into the preparation of refining your performance for the race. And once you have started the race there are various tools, resources and metrics to improve and track your performance. It becomes important to pace yourself as you build momentum on your journey. To remain consistent and persistent in your endeavours, trusting the process of your capabilities and growth along the journey.

We are living in an era where entrepreneurs often focus on the external factors of the journey, what their business needs to look like from the outside in order for others to perceive them as “successful”. For many entrepreneurs, this brings about pressure and misalignment in doing the necessary groundwork to structure and position your business for durability. We need to be cautious of our ego and the pedestals we place our entrepreneurial journeys on. Elevating your journey beyond the realm of reality can cripple your focus and growth when reality bites. The truth is, behind your business venture and brand is a human being who is fallible, makes mistakes and who really doesn’t know it all. Behind your business is someone with emotions and their own perception and biases. Therefore, developing yourself as a person becomes as important as the business you are building.

Sharpening your axe is about primarily working on yourself. Building your character, developing an above average posture in the business environment and mentally preparing yourself for the various seasons that will inevitably come along your journey and how you will navigate the changing seasons. There is no such thing as guaranteed success in business. The very existence and the lifeblood of business is change, responsiveness and adaptability. Therefore, in your framing and understanding of the entrepreneurial journey, the most powerful undertaking you could embrace is sharpening your capabilities and having clarity around your purpose. This creates space for continual learning and development as you evolve as an entrepreneur.

Peo ya Bahlakoana


Ntsoaki Sibiya is a prominent South African entrepreneur who has established herself as an expert in the realm of mentorship and mindset transformation for mentees. As a successful businesswoman in a male dominated industry, she understands the potential of economic growth through the empowerment and mentorship of women. 

Ntsoaki is the owner of a security company and has used her business acumen and personal journey of self-mastery to inspire and mentor women, helping them navigate the challenges of the business world. Her firm belief in the capabilities and potential of women has motivated her to become a strong advocate for their empowerment. Through her mentorship programs, Ntsoaki facilitates the growth and development of mentees by building their confidence and capabilities. 

With her vast experience in business leadership, Ntsoaki is a sought-after speaker in conferences and workshops where she shares her knowledge on mentorship and mindset transformation. Her impact is felt not only in the business community but also across other sectors where she continues to inspire and empower women to thrive in their endeavors. 

Her passion for mentorship and her unwavering commitment to the economic growth and development of women is truly remarkable, making her an exceptional role model for anyone seeking to make a positive impact in people's lives. www.tsoabelosolutions.co.za

More articles by Ntsoaki.

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Success as an Entrepreneur Lies Within Mastering Yourself
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Advancing Previously Disadvantaged Women In Private Security
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In Guest Blog Tags Ntsoaki Sibiya, Entrepreneurial Mindset, Mentoring
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