Be patient to start small while thinking big - Vusi Thembekwayo

Recent questions

• How does Ruthy Chamber Choir aim to change entrepreneurship in South Africa?

  Ruthy Chamber Choir, a self-made millionaire, aims to change the narrative of entrepreneurship in South Africa by nurturing high-growth black entrepreneurs in rural and township markets. He emphasizes finding intrapreneurs and developing them into enterprises through funding, incubation, and development. Chamber Choir looks for entrepreneurs who have failed before, believe in themselves against odds, and are passionate about their work. He criticizes the approach of giving wholesale shares to politically connected individuals, stressing the importance of real entrepreneurship and access to finance for genuine opportunities.

• What challenges does Chamber Choir highlight in doing business in South Africa?

  Chamber Choir highlights the challenges of doing business in South Africa and the need to find gaps in the market that align with what people are willing to pay for, need, and can afford. He discusses the investment complexion of the Dragons Den program, where only four out of 16 businesses funded were black-owned, emphasizing the need for real black entrepreneurs. Chamber Choir expresses concern about the lack of recognition and support for talented individuals, particularly women, who work tirelessly but struggle to access funding and empowerment opportunities.

• What type of entrepreneurs does Chamber Choir look for in the Dragons Den program?

  Chamber Choir, a part of the Dragons Den program, looks for entrepreneurs who have failed before, believe in themselves against odds, and are passionate about their work. He advocates for the development of black industrialists who start businesses from the ground up, employing more than 100 people without relying on handouts or pity. Chamber Choir urges a shift from seeking pity to proving excellence in business, emphasizing the need for belief, hard work, and dedication to building a successful enterprise.

• What does Chamber Choir emphasize in fostering intergenerational wealth creation?

  To improve economic conditions and foster intergenerational wealth creation, Chamber Choir emphasizes the importance of encouraging black individuals to think big rather than small when starting businesses. He highlights that both small and large enterprises require similar foundational elements like a physical location, branding, and customer base. Chamber Choir stresses the need for state funding institutions to prioritize supporting genuine entrepreneurship over franchise opportunities, providing financial assistance for individuals to start their own ventures and accepting the risk of failure as part of the process.

• What approach does Chamber Choir criticize in entrepreneurship development?

  Chamber Choir criticizes the approach of giving wholesale shares to politically connected individuals, stressing the importance of real entrepreneurship and access to finance for genuine opportunities. He challenges the notion of small business as a solution for black empowerment, highlighting the need for real entrepreneurship and a shift towards building sustainable businesses for future generations. Chamber Choir advocates for the development of black industrialists who start businesses from the ground up, employing more than 100 people without relying on handouts or pity.