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Memoirs Of A Garage Entrepreneur

by Jonathan Jacobs on 03/09/12 at 9:13 am
8 comments

I have recently made the transition from big corporate to my small empire (not there yet, but the thinking is). The move was an easy decision because I had built up a certain level of immunity. This immunity came in the form of a good reputation, one annuity client, key staff, and a good tax refund to kickstart. Bootstrap or don’t pass begin. 

The first key decision is give up the luxuries, corner office ( with a balcony and view of table mountain), expensive dinners, for a GARAGE. Cars and junk belong in there not you. Have I succumbed to a piece of junk that gets thrown into the darkest corner of the garage, au contrie my dear Watson!

The decision to setup in an area that I don’t pay rent and any spare cash I have for ” rental” will go straight to the fundamental base of a capitalist economy…..”the mortgage bond”. So we go full circle, I started my first business in a garage at the age of 10, fixing cupboards and beds with my dad for some weekend cash.

Are you &@£#% insane?

And now I find myself back in your very basic arms, no cappuccino’s on tap, no morning paper…delivered, no PA helping you dodge bullets, no air-conditioned plush carpet massive desk office. Only oil streaked , concrete, cold floors, rodents as couriers and the odd cockroach for company. Are you &@£#% insane? What pushes a person to this state of insanity? From executive director of a global consulting firm to this, what was I thinking…precisely that I was thinking.

I was thinking that I did not want the burden of debt anymore. I was thinking that I wanted to support my broader community. I was thinking that I wanted to give the orders. I was thinking that if I don’t take the plunge, surely I will have regrets later in life? I was thinking that I won’t be in a position to buy my beloved Aston Martin. I was thinking how on earth have I endured this BS for so long; deadlines, low sales, minuscule budgets to do exceptional things, under performing staff, inconsistent decision makers. Thanks but no thanks!

Pschologically what then drives a person to this point? Why do we feel the need to venture into the unknown with very little financial reward. The answer I believe relates to legacy, what purpose do you want your life to have? Will I be remembered and for what? I believe that Entrepreneurship sets this course to create a lasting legacy. In my startup, Skylar Investment Holdings, we have set our vision to build a business that last 1000 years. Enough to create a legacy ? I think so.

Jonathan best describes himself as a social entrepreneur who helps people help themselves. His life mission is to create job opportunities for 100,000 people. Armed with street skills and a few degrees, Jonathan has assisted numerous entrepreneurs. He has recently been nominated as Honorary Consulate to Sri Lanka. He is currently Chairman of International Trade and tourism for the Cape Chamber of Commerce, Founding Board Member of South African Small, Medium Enterprise Federation, Provincial Manager for the Tourism Enterprise Partnership and “The TEA Lady” at Skylar Investment Holdings. He is involved in a myriad of business which include Green Energy, Brands, Technology, Events, Media, Consulting and his personal favourite his foundation. Jonathan lives by the mantra, “IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME”, he believes that if one wants to make a change for the better he can. View more articles by Jonathan Jacobs.

Tags: bootstrapping, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, new venture, start up

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