Financial Freedom Series – Build Your Own Business (Part 1)

The latest official statistics show that South Africa has a 32% unemployment rate, which means one in every three South Africans is out of work. This is even worse amongst the youth, whose unemployment rate is 45%, where one in two youth looking for jobs cannot find a job. 

This is shockingly high. 

When you drill deeper, the reality looks even more hopeless, as this does not include the many people in our country who are no longer looking for work because they have basically given up hope. 

DON’T STOP DREAMING

Of the 60 million people living in SA, 28 million depend on social welfare grants. This is not sustainable and is no way to live. No wonder so many have stopped dreaming.

Our country seriously needs to create job opportunities. But for this to happen, our government must create an environment that will attract investment and give the private sector confidence to invest in our country. Unfortunately, this is not happening at present, as policy uncertainty and corruption are running rife. But I am hopeful that this will change over the next few years.

The problem is that many cannot wait for this to materialize.

Many need work now, not in 3 or 5 years’ time.

And what happens if things don’t improve? 

WHY NOT CONSIDER BUILDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

According to the latest data in South Africa, many are battling to make ends meet. Even those with jobs are not earning enough to cover their living expenses. So, do you know what many are doing? They are actively looking for new ways to earn extra income.

A new catchphrase is being branded around – “POLYJOBBERS.” This refers to resilient South Africans who are actively seeking new opportunities to earn extra income.

Only 50% of South Africans currently rely on a single income stream. The other 50% have taken an entrepreneurial approach and have started actively seeking extra income streams.

70% of the younger generation, aged between 18 and 29, have become polyjobbers! 

Whether that be in the form of…

• taking on extra work opportunities
• setting up a sided-hustle
• selling something or providing a service in their spare time
• starting a new small-business venture

…Many South Africans are taking the initiative and looking for new opportunities to earn extra income. 

Are you? 

If not, why not? 

If you are out of work or battling to make ends meet, why don’t you consider BUILDING A BUSINESS?

Why not consider becoming an entrepreneur and starting your own business or hustle? You will not need to rely on others who may let you down.

Against this backdrop, please consider BUILDING YOUR OWN BUSINESS. 

I want to share a few ideas with you to hopefully spur you on.

Can you consider one or a combination of…

• Do you enjoy administration work? You can start doing administration and consulting work from home. All you will need is a computer and an internet connection.

• Do you love cooking? Do you make delicious food? Do people often complement your cooking skills? Then why not start baking or making food that you can sell to your friends and family? Over time, you can see your business spread through word of mouth, and you can build up a network. All you need to start off is a kitchen.

• Are you good with your hands? Maybe you are a keen carpenter?  Why not start making furniture or fixing up old things in your garage? You could then sell your furniture or products at a flea market or even to selected stores. Maybe you can fix things? With a few tools and a garage, you could start a workshop to fix things.

• What about your expertise? You could use your current work experience and your expertise to provide a service to others. You could offer solutions to other people’s needs or provide a service aligned with your knowledge and experience that can benefit others. You could use your trade and expertise to sell products that can help make other people’s lives easier, or you could repair or restore things. 

• Do you have spare time? You could also use your spare time to meet a need in your community. A few weeks back, I was at a client who had employed a dog walker to take their dogs for a walk a few times a week. Maybe you can consider giving up some of your after-hours time to become a babysitter or offer lifts to the elderly.

• Do you love caring for people? Maybe you could start a small child aftercare facility or provide care for the elderly.

• Are you a skilled musician? Why not use your talents to teach music?

• Are you experienced in computers? If you have an IT background, you could consider starting an online business, designing websites, or providing a service to others.

• Are you a good communicator? You could use the skills you have developed over the years to be a personal trainer or coach. 

• Do you have a car? You could apply to become an Uber driver, provide a shuttle service, or become a tour guide.

• Do you have green fingers? Are you good at gardening? You could grow plants or do landscaping. 

• Do you have a unique idea that could add value to others? You could offer solutions to problems.

• Do you have a product or service that you are passionate about? Maybe you could also start selling a product you believe in. There are many products that companies are looking to market. In return, they will pay you a commission. All you need is a few basic selling skills.

• While you do not necessarily need money to start your own entrepreneurial venture, if you have the cash flow available, you could buy a small business or use the funds to buy products. You could even become a bargain hunter, where you use your skills and talents to buy something at a low price, fix it up, and then resell it for a profit. 

• You could also be a waiter at a restaurant after hours or on weekends or walk dogs. 

If you have a business idea you are interested in, why don’t you look at how others are running similar businesses? You can then learn from them and possibly emulate certain aspects that work.

A good business opportunity can also be a simple solution to solve common problems. If you can identify a gap in the market, you may be able to use your skills and experience by offering a specific product or service that can meet this need. (also, please make sure that you have the right licenses and certification if this is needed)

If you start a small business, you basically need…

1. A product or service that can add value to people

2. Clients and prospects who could benefit from your product or service

3. A simple business plan and structure ensures your business can run efficiently

What are your passions? 

What are your skills or talents? 

How can you make a positive difference to others? 

How can you make other people’s lives easier?

What solutions can you provide to other people’s problems? 

You may be sitting on the brink of a new business opportunity that can add value to other people while allowing you to earn an income doing what you love to do and what you are good at. This, in turn, will help others achieve their goals and meet their needs, all the while making some money.

DARE TO DREAM

PLAN WELL

Set up a good business strategy and be prepared to work hard. 

GET ADVICE

GOD WANTS TO WALK THE JOURNEY WITH YOU

God cares about his children. 

GOD CAN OPEN DOORS

God knows your weaknesses and strengths. He knows what is happening. He can open doors and give you the ability to generate wealth.

GOD LEADS

God wants to lead you and guide you. 

DON’T TRY TO DO IT ALONE

Invite God to be your business partner. Better still, give him the reigns, let him be the CEO, the Director. After all he has all power and authority and can catapult you into the very purposes and destiny for which he made you.

Trust God. Obey him. Follow his lead.

Why don’t you consider using your unique gifts, talents, experience, and qualifications to build your own business that has the potential to provide a service that will add value to others and, at the same time, give you the opportunity to provide extra income? 

Who knows, you may even be able to provide a few job opportunities to others through your business venture in the future.

May God open doors of opportunity, give you wisdom, and take you on an adventure as you build your own business. 

May God bless your business.

“The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22) 

Over the next season, we want to give you the needed INSPIRATION and the PRACTICAL TOOLS and INSIGHT to help you BUILD YOUR OWN BUSINESS so that you can attain FINANCIAL FREEDOM.