Comments on: Why being a young entrepreneur is tough

By: martin

martin — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:44:26 +0000

I believe what you said is true, when you are determined/focused to run business, nothing will stop you eccept you mind and the skills of doing it. Do not reap off you business just because someone told you he/she has tried that kind of market structure and it did not work for him/her. Just go with your flow and follow the river then you will see that you still got the potential and that is what we need for the sake of our youth at this point of time. Lets grow our potentials. My motto is that; I will not stop until I get there.

By: Leesharn

Leesharn — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:44:59 +0000

Big up!!! Girl power!!!

By: Beverley Merriman

Beverley Merriman — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 06:24:21 +0000

Thanks for the great comment. Although business is challenging it is truly worth the effort! The trick in starting a business is never to let criticism and negativity get you down and to believe whole-heartedly in your dream. Good luck!

By: Virtual Entrepreneur - Small Business Opportunities For Entrepreneurs

Virtual Entrepreneur - Small Business Opportunities For Entrepreneurs — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 06:01:33 +0000

[...] Full article. [...]

By: sharon

sharon — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 13:40:40 +0000

Wow! i know that getting involved in starting and owning a business is hard work and it seems ike fate that i ended up reading your article, you are right that we make mistakes and we shouldnt beat ourselves down if we do, you have outlined the facts (which was what i needed to hear) and didnt discourage me…thank you

By: Beverley Merriman

Beverley Merriman — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 06:19:42 +0000

Roger – Busy working on the South African e-myth solution – will keep you posted!

Darren – I agree, after going through all the red tape, you definitely appreciate and value what you are doing more. However innovation, ingenuity and creativity is far more important in the long run. I for one hate being bogged down with administration and paper work, and I am sure many entrepreneurs share my frustration on this. I love your hearing aid example. It truly captures the essence of our perspective.

By: Darren

Darren — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 16:53:25 +0000

I like your thinking on this. Your post raised the same question in my mind yesterday about whether these challenges are, as you say, “basic training” – and I think there’s much merit in this line of thought. After all, the harder you have to work for something, the more you appreciate [and value] it – any entrepreneur will tell you so.

But after going through it, I still believe the admin/legislative side of the business is not really WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT. The product/service and the market and the customers… that’s what really matters. It was the hearing aid that changed people’s [aka customer's] lives, not all the forms they filled in to register their business.

So I think your original idea is still on the right track.

By: Roger Saner

Roger Saner — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:26:06 +0000

Great post, Beverley – and a fantastic quote from Steve Jobs It takes courage, tenacity and skills to be an entrepreneur.

The “entrepreneur starter pack” is a great idea! Something like the e-myth contextualised for South Africa?

By: Beverley Merriman

Beverley Merriman — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 10:05:50 +0000

Thanks Darren! I was just contemplating what it would be like having a “entrepreneur starter pack” – lawyers, SARS, bank, funding, accounting, government regulation – sorted.

All you need to do as an entrepreneur is promote and make your venture a success. At least this way the boatloads of skill, enthusiasm and ingenuity will be channeled in the right direction. Or would this be to easy?

On the other hand – maybe the red tape and the challenge of starting a business is the ultimate survival crash course, kind of like basic training in the army – checking that you are indeed fit for the competitive business world!

By: Darren

Darren — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 16:12:14 +0000

Excellent advice, Beverley - the mental challenge that rages within is by far the greatest challenge that any young entrepreneur faces, and if they can overcome that, the upside is huge. As for what you say about the red tape, etc... couldn't agree more [my take on it here]