Every highly elevated building with many floors started with a foundation, a very strong foundation. That strong foundation with the help of the layers and layers of pillars is able to not only hold itself straight up but also hold a great number of people and furniture.
You want to go into entrepreneurship and without any form of structure but just prosper. Even if your product is in demand but you will need to build a structure that will hold you as you and your business grow. Some reference formal education while other reference life struggles (self-thought) and mentors guides.
Either way, the important thing is that you have to be an open-minded individual in order to experience fully the fruits of entrepreneurship.
What life and passion can bring to the table of entrepreneurship
The main characteristic of an entrepreneur in my books is a determined, passionate, goal driven individual. The power and light of such an individual cannot be deemed or blown by anyone. In South African townships they call them ‘omavuka be wile’ (those who rise after a fall) or ‘omavula ku valiwe’ (those who open doors that are shut). I’m talking about the hustlers.
These individuals make things happen and people always question how they make it happen making negative assumptions.
These individuals set goals for themselves and through they make sure they reach these goals even if it means them selling in a corner. Someone who epitomizes the word entrepreneur is Dj Sbu a man determined with a unique model which was first rejected but now serves as the ultimate sales model. This model is an old model that has ruled many African markets but it has never served as a threat to the formal market like now.
What formal education can bring to the table of entrepreneurship
Selling at a street corner shows determination and being able to grow your business and eventually moving from the street shows the power of your hustle. Yes, growth is possible without formal education, but when you equip yourself with this tool greater doors open.
The thing about entrepreneurship is that every level requires an extra amount of knowledge. I’m not saying those who do not have formal education cannot stand the challenges of those level but having some form of education give you a bit of an extra hand. This extra can assist you during negotiation, during contract exchange, during book checking. Even though there are people out there who can do all these things for you, it is always better when you can spot and assist when they are going towards the wrong direction.
Formal education provides a form of confidence that cannot be taken by anyone because when you know something it is always better than when you are clueless.
The power of the two combined
When an entrepreneur has both street smarts and school smarts they become an unstoppable force. I say unstoppable in the sense they can handle any situation thrown at them. They know the true essence of hustling and can go into any street corner and sell, be it a suburban corner or township they become the ultimate entrepreneur who can build from the ground up.
So my advice to any entrepreneur is to invest in yourself by educating yourself so that you can be equipped for any circumstance of a business.