Professor Don Weiss leads a delegation of around 100 United States business school graduates from Columbia University, one of the most prestigious learning institutions in the world.
Professor Weiss took the stage to speak to the Heavy Chef audience about some of the lessons he has picked up over a lifetime of meeting and teaching entrepreneurs.
Don believes there’s a new gold rush in South Africa that is rooted in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Some of the lessons he espouses for these starry-eyed individuals:
- There’s no right time to start your business
- Make sure your business solves a real problem, that is profitable and scalable
- When you start, realise that you will face death (or near death)
- Everything takes twice as long and costs twice as much as you think
- Everything takes four times as long and costs four times as much as you think
- Be laser-focused If it’s obvious that it’s not working, be flexible
- Perseverance is unavoidable. You’ll need to work hours that are out of control.
- Act with integrity: Do what you say; say what you do.
- Use your network (attend networking events like Heavy Chef evening sessions)
- Entrepreneurship is lonely
- Get a mentor
- Partner with people you trust
- Failing is just a (costly) learning experience
- Business is not about numbers; business is about people.
Enjoy the video!
