eBusiness Weekly
Joseline Sithole
These days, having a bucket list is considered as the “in-thing”. A bucket list is made up of the things that you want to do or you never found time to do before you die. My brother in-law recently ticked off climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with his son, a fit he trained by walking 12 kilometres with a 20 kilogramme backpack every day before he climbed the mountain.
Well, I do have a couple of things on my bucket list, carefully categorised into relationships, career, health, religion, community, Philanthropy and travel.
Since I made the list in 2015, I have happily ticked off three items. One of them is what I am doing now — writing business articles. Bungee jumping is one of them, and I chickened out at that FNB Bridge in Soweto. (My poor excuse being that I was a bit chubby those days and was not sure if the rope would hold).
However, today I will talk about item number three on my bucket list; quitting work and starting my own businesses. Item number four, is never to return to work for someone again. Though head-hunted quite a few times I have stuck to my guns and am prepared to see it through.
According to Work Monitor 2017 survey, India’s young population has the highest propensity to leave work and start a business. About 83 percent of India’s young population will happily leave work to start a tech start up when compared to the world average of 53 percent. Young Africans are most likely to look for another job rather than start a business.
Unfortunately, the majority of us do not have the bravery of our Indian brothers, without worrying about how we will meet our financial obligations. We don’t have the luxury of “Just Doing It” as Nike would make us believe, or the more “violent” advice from rapper Curtis Jackson a.k.a 50Cent, to “Get Rich or Die Trying”.
Well, from the survey I did, 82 percent of people who are working, definitely had “starting own business” on their bucket list. But if you are not brave enough to leave work immediately, there are things you can do to start your entrepreneurial journey.
Firstly, get inspired by your current company’s story and learn everything that will set into motion your entrepreneurship dream from your current work. (A word of caution — please do not use company time and resources to pursue your dream). Here are a few ideas on businesses you can start while you are still “sitting on the fence” (Still at work).
Entertainment industry
The entertainment industry has rich pickings for people who are gifted. For starters, if you have jokes and are good with people then try being an Emcee. Starting a “DJ” brand can also prove to be quite lucrative though one should invest in the necessary equipment.
Understudying experienced DJs is crucial to get experience. You can also write inspirational songs for musicians. As you will all agree, some of the lyrics by our youngsters in the dancehall genre can be disturbing.
In the same breadth you can become a choreographer if you have “happy feet”. Quite lucrative too during this wedding season. I have discovered that there is a paucity of good recording studios especially in small towns. Find a good manager and a producer and you are good to go.
Art & craft industry
If you have “creative hands” and have always done “arty things” you might want to have a side business doing art and craft. According to the African Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, the art and craft sector has the potential to make a significant contribution to employment creation both in the cities and in major towns.
The beauty of this industry is that as long as your craft has aesthetic value, your product is bound to have a niche market somewhere.
Rachel Phiri owns Silver Box, a jewellery making concern situated in Belgravia. Her jewellery is exquisitely handmade and the stones are sourced locally throughout the country. She has since taken her brand to Cape Town where it is doing well. I don’t know what happened to our women who had acquired a worldwide reputation for making “doilies”. (BRING BACK OUR DOILIES) According to John Custom, the chairperson of The Crafters’ Association of Zimbabwe, the craft industry is a huge money spinner and if taken seriously can contribute immensely to the national fiscus.
Beauty industry
The beauty industry in our country is booming.
Sadly, our shops are inundated with foreign brands. I have, however, used some home-grown beauty brands who are using locally sourced products such as avocados, macadamia nuts, pineapples and honey to name just a few. Divine Pro and “Ndanaka” are firm favourites for me.
Most importantly, there are brands that were started by women. One can also venture into massage therapy, hairdressing, and selling beauty products online. Makeup artists are also “coining it”. Jackie Mgido, is one of Zimbabwe’s greatest exports in the beauty industry. Founder of Vault Cosmetics she counts Neyo, Snoop Dog and Denzel Washington as her clients.
Blogging
Bloggers are gaining ground as some of the richest people. If you are an expert in a certain subject, you can start a blog on that topic. Research has shown that these topics are favourites among readers; Do it Yourself Topics (DIY), Health and Fitness, Pets, Food, Parenting and Travel. My most favourite blogs in Zimbabwe, are Farai Today and Forbes and Three Men in a Boat by Larry Kwirirayi. My favourite blogger in Africa is Linda Ikeja who has a net worth of 3,2 billion naira.
There are affordable websites hosting with companies such as Blue Host and choosing a simple WordPress theme. To start a blog there are many internet sources that can help you do it. To be able to operate a successful blog, ensure that you build a large following. Advertising revenues contribute significantly to income inflows.
Food Industry
Zimbabweans love their food. Yes, they do. They, however, do not have a sophisticated palate as they prefer simple food. Of course when you are still at work running a fully-fledged food business can be “tricky”. However, there are many things that one can do on the side. If you are young and energetic, you can start your own freelance bartender business.
Mixologists (A person who mixes drinks for parties) are a big hit in the first world and these are contracted at private parties. One can create and package their own baked goods. One can also become a cooking instructor. Private chefs are also in demand especially at private parties.
Zimbabwe can do well to emulate other countries which are now making healthy juices from fruits and vegetables. Kundai Munjanja has invented a diabetic cake. Food accessories such as juicers, blenders and mixers can also be lucrative if one finds the market for it.
Writing business
Zimbabwe has produced many prolific writers. We remember with fondness books we studied at O-Level and A-Level from, late great Charles Mungoshi, Shimmer Chinodya, Dambudzo Marechera, Tsitsi Dangarembga to name just a few. Today, a quick perusal of bookshops shows a lot of foreign authors and a lot of inspirational local writers.
This shows the character of Zimbabweans, we are extremely serious people. Yes, we need inspiration, but a hopeless romantic like myself needs a fair share of idealistic books. I am a major Danielle Steele, Francine Rivers, Paulo Coelho fan. On the action side Wilbur Smith, and James Patterson are firm favourites. We need Zimbabwean authors with a romantic and an adventurous streak. Children’s books are also serious and children need fun books. These should not be too difficult. Dr Seuss’ children books racked in US$75 million. There are a lot of publishing and marketing resources to start your own E-book if you are not brave enough to start with hard copies.
Design studio
Zimbabweans have caught on to wearing and using foreign brands. The fact is we need another Faith Wear, that revolutionary T-shirt brand that took Zimbabwe by storm in the 90s. The design business is a good place to start if you are very creative. Items to design include: bags, shoes, jewellery, shoes. Wedding wear, T-shirts, furniture and others, work uniforms, jeans and others. Go on and start your brand and we see you on the catwalks of Paris.
There are so many things that one can do in the retail, agriculture and health industry which we shall write about in part two of this series. But today I will say, don’t sit on the fence for too long — “plunge boldly into the thick of life”. — Johann Wolfgang Van Goethe.
Joseline Sithole is an SME Consultant and the Founder of Southern Africa Development Consultants. Please send her your comments on [email protected]
