Take Our Word For It: What Makes A Successful Entrepreneur

VENTURES AFRICA - It takes one to know one or so the saying goes. So when it comes to identifying the integral characteristics that differentiate a dreamer from the next Oppenheimer or Adenuga, we looked for insight from those who have walked the path already, asking: What do you think makes a successful entrepreneur?

Nkhensani Nkosi

South Africa

One of South Africa’s youngest and most successful entrepreneurs, Nkosi is the founder of the South African fashion label, Stoned Cherrie.

Nkhensani Nkosi

What makes a successful entrepreneur? A clear vision about what you would like to achieve; a life purpose or passion which acts as your regenerating fuel; the tenacity of a stubborn teenager; a “can-do” attitude; accepting that failure is an opportunity to learn and approach challenges with new insights; and a divine spark or energy that enables you to see sunflowers where others see fog.

Suzie Wokabi

Kenya

Suzie Wokabi

Wokabi is an accomplished entrepreneur and the founder of one of Kenya’s first cosmetics companies SuzieBeauty.

Focus, passion, perseverance, patience – it’s that simple. Without 150 percent of each of these attributes, there is really no hope. I also think that it is important that someone start a business that they actually love and care about. Then they are doing it for the right reasons – not to copy someone else or being shady or crooked about it.

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu

Ethiopia

Alemu is a pioneer of online selling in Africa and her home country Ethiopia. She is the founder of soleRebels, a global eco-friendly artisan-empowered footwear company.

An entrepreneur is innovation driven, reliant on the power of their ideas, actions and outputs rather than who their family is or how good their connections are or what their market dominance is. Because an entrepreneur’s efforts by definition often involve shattering the old, and literally creating them new, often from scratch, an entrepreneur will always encounter deep currents of resistance from quarters who feel their economic and social interests threatened by these new products and methods. My experience has been no different. But at the end of the day it’s the consumer who decides whether or not something is valuable. Once you connect directly and meaningfully with them then they become the arbiter of your success.

And it’s not enough to have a great idea – anyone can have a great idea – you must be ready to stick with your idea, fight for it against all obstacles, until you are successful. That’s the essence of truly great entrepreneurs.