Blunder #65 | Crash, Burn, Rise – The ups and downs of entrepreneurship | Tshepo Epaphrus Maphepha

https://youtu.be/zHOwwi-9H2U?si=D-Qj8qy7lZkGfRDk Tshepo is a storyteller of note. In this captivating talk, Tshepo shares his entrepreneurial journey, spanning from his early days in the family business to his enterprising endeavours in school and the business blunder he encountered while managing a school feeding scheme program. This talk is not just about the bumps in the road,…

Schrödinger’s Startup, Quantum insights for entrepreneurs

Today in 1935, Erwin Schrödinger introduced a famous thought experiment known as Schrödinger's cat. Imagine a cat in a box with a radioactive source, a radiation detector, a hammer, and a flask of poison. If the detector senses radioactivity, the hammer falls, releasing the poison and potentially killing the cat. Here's the catch: the radioactive…

Blunder #64 | When dreams of entrepreneurship turn into a nightmare | Mpho Ama Mohapi

https://youtu.be/Wh5WQ5n5A0A?si=PZJDTzCOAtD_X4-O Once a successful young engineer, Mpho's entrepreneurial journey took a harrowing turn, leading to financial ruin and a period of self-doubt. Driven by a desire to find her purpose and the attraction of time freedom, she ventured into the world of business, only to face the harsh realities of failure. Her income vanished, her…

Seeing and being seen

Imagine life is a stage, and we're all players in this grand theatre production. Now, most of us are out there, delivering our lines, wearing the costumes we think we're supposed to wear, you know, following the script society handed us. But here's the thing: the audience isn't really seeing us. We're all under these…

Navigating the path to the unseen

At some point you have to throw caution to the wind and take off believing that your idea is possible. It takes a bit of naiveté to think that an unseen idea, "never done before idea" will work out. But then you work as hard as you can to make it possible, you don't even…

Breadwinner status in relationships

You're the breadwinner, the top dog, the one bringing home the bacon. But guess what? That doesn't make you king of the castle. In fact, it doesn't give you a free pass to treat your partner like they're your loyal subject. Chris Rock said something interesting when lamenting his divorce [paraphrased]: Just because you are…

The Why behind the What

Understanding someone's agenda is crucial to comprehending their actions. People have different motivations and priorities that drive their behaviour. The salesperson who adheres strictly to the rules is likely seeking stability and predictability, while the retired steel worker's hesitation stems from a desire for social approval and conformity. And the unpredictable blogger's penchant for rule-breaking…

When you are about to go obsolete

Modern Laptop Computer with Antique Typewriter on wooden desk When threatened with obsolescence, entrepreneurs must adapt and innovate or risk falling behind their competition. Staying relevant and competitive in a rapidly evolving world requires a proactive mindset, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace change. By leveraging your unique strengths and turning potential obsolescence into a…

Zealot founder vs. Pragmatic Leader

I follow Prof G's blog titled No Mercy, No Malice, a few days ago he shared a thought-provoking article titled: WeBur. He talks about several things in the article, but one of the things he talks about is the transition from being a Zealot founder to a Pragmatic leader. The article highlights the dynamic interplay…

Meaningful: What’s your story?

One of my favourite author Bernadette Jiwa wrote the book a while ago titled: Meaningful: The Story of Ideas That Fly. Bernadette Jiwa dives deep into the heart of what makes ideas soar or crash. She strips away the fluff and gets straight to the point, much like a surgeon wielding a scalpel. One thing…