Comments on: Another reason to emmigrate

By: Chris Roper

Chris Roper — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:11:26 +0000

What, there’s no link to your site? I had it in my original copy. The idea was to send people over to judge for themselves, and then to give you lots of money. Anyway, apparently we’re meeting so I can eat steak pie with you, so see you soon. (Actually, I think Fred said humble pie, I can’t remember).

By: niels

niels — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:39:36 +0000

Dear Andrew
Thanks to Chris Roper, I have discovered your website. I am a small business owner with a huge overdraft and most of that seems to be used to keep my vehicles and lawnmowers in petrol. Ha ha. Well, at least I will eat baked beans on toast for lunch. It seems that not many really enjoyed Chris Roper’s email but I am glad to have found you. Is it fate? Is it destiny? Is it just another home for my procrastinating soul.

Keep on keeping on

Niels

By: Ideate - Small Business in South Africa

Ideate - Small Business in South Africa — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:32:17 +0000

[...] Aye Caramba, that can’t be good. I clicked through and saw that he’s ranting about Andrew’s article on Monday (about a lame business idea). This is a journalist who’s clearly read Ideate for the first [...]

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:22:43 +0000

Here is my response the 24.com columnist:

————————————-
Hi Chris

This is the real A Smith. No alias required.

Thank you for publicity on 24.com. It all helps. Would it be possible to link to my full article so that your readers can see what you are talking about?

The crucial paragraph that you left out was:
“If you started with nothing but an overdraft and an old door for a desk (which I’m guessing is just about all of us), and you’re surviving, take heart. You’ve achieved what a lot of businessmen in the rest of the world didn’t even attempt.”

My article, like most things we write on Ideate, was an attempt to encourage small business owners in South Africa who face a barrage of negativity from everywhere else. It was not at all meant to be suggesting that we leave the country. Perhaps the irony was a bit too subtle.

Anyway, I’m honoured that what we’re writing is getting read by people like yourself.

Thanks again.
Andrew Smith

By: Xris

Xris — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:32:39 +0000

you got served?

http://www.news24.com/News24/Columnists/Chris_Roper/0,,2-1630-1649_2269756,00.html

By: Marc

Marc — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:28:06 +0000

These angel investors really have gone a little crazy lately. I suppose a major reason is that they all saw the astronomical rise of youtube, and want some of that “action”
I actually just read of any NEW site called first30days getting $5mil in series A funding….too much money floating around at the moment (can that be possible:)