A growth inspired mindset is a necessity in entrepreneurship. You set your vision, place your goal and aspirations then work hard to ensure that you are able to achieve the aspirations that you had envisioned and set as goals.
Emmanuel Bonoko founder and Managing director of Ebonoko Holdings a marketing agency that does corporate PR, business events, concept development and much other marketing related content.
“We do corporate PR, we do a lot of business event, we do concept development, we do brand alignment, we do social media content, that's what we do. We've done stuff for Kia motorcar SA, we've done stuff for Shell South Africa, Standard Bank, the list is endless you know, including your Eskom foundation, that's one of the big projects we are doing currently.”
Even though named by Forbes Africa as one of the youngest South African to look out for in 2016. Bonoko created his own pathway from the early days in university.
“I remember I was still studying, I think I was eighteen and nineteen at that time then I heard on Yfm that there's a business event in Braamfontein. I went there and there was a speaker that goes by the name Tebo Mafode, he was speaking about his journey and what he has achieved over the years and he said by the age of twenty-three he was a millionaire. And that for me you know it really inspired me that Emmanuel that also you can do well.”
Even though Bonoko did not make his wealth instantly he started attending more events and connecting with people. Networking at these different events he attended helped him build a network that will assist him in his entrepreneurial journey. “In varsity, I built such a great network so before I went to complete my degree already I was on the move”.
His entrepreneurial journey started off with eBonoko foundation which is still operational even today. The foundation was his stepping stone into entrepreneurship. He says early hustle days he “had a foundation which is still operational even today, the foundation is more of a social business where we focus on book donation, we mentor young people, we giveaway bursaries and do career expos”.
With the skills and contacts acquired while in university Bonoko established himself as a reliable and solid businessman that people with high ranks wanted to work with.
“The foundation was just a stepping stone to eBonoko holdings and the foundation really gave me so much exposure you know, I got so many awards under the foundation, I got so much media publicity around the foundation so that time I want to establish eBonoko holdings already my credibility was in place, I already had great networks then after getting my degree and I went to start eBonoko holdings.”
Bonoko states that building a brand is not easy because to build something you need to understand thoroughly that you are building and how is this thing you are building beneficial to the individuals you have identified as your target market or clientele. He says that these days everybody is a brand and through this misconception, they tend to do a lot of copycats so to be special or unique, start-up entrepreneurs need to be themselves because your individuality makes you the best version anytime.
“I built the brand that I am based on my own journey and being able to identify what I want to be known for which for me for is key. I want to be known for as someone that really had influence in my communities and as someone that is really having an impact also on young people. So I believe, before you pull the brand card understand who you are, what you want to be known for and also what value are you going to be able to offer to your clients. And also just to identify how you want to be known as I said and because I see so many young people now everything's the brand and everyone is doing this and that.”
Emmanuel encourages young aspiring entrepreneurs who come from poverty to set their minds right because if the mind is locked then there won't be any progress. But if you set it right all things will be right. “It all starts in the mind… regardless of your background if mentally you are empowered for me you are set and it's done. Most of us as black young people we always say I need funding and mentors I need this and that, but if mentally you are empowered for me I always believe already you in the right path.”
To realise his dream and passion Bonoko had to make a lot of sacrifices because he knew the path he was taking was not an easy one. He states that before going into business he had a pep talk with himself to set his mind right. “So I knew that Emmanuel you are going into business it won't be easy, its gonna take so much discipline so much character and that on its own is hard. Money is not an issue but character is key in business, self-discipline is key in business, building relationship too, is key in business so most of us we exclude these factors and we are concerned about money we are concerned about having an office, the workers number and even mentors, so it has to start with you first.
Vital Stats
Business name: Ebonoko Foundations and Holdings
Year founded: 2012
Start-up: Bootstrapped
KeyPlayers: 1
Number of Employees: 5