What are a few of the significant advantages that you have capitalized on in the UK that were not available in your native Zimbabwe?
In the UK there is a lot of support and opportunities to make ideas come to reality. It's harder to start a business in Zimbabwe when you're young. In the UK there is funding organizations that provide support to young start-ups. Not only is funding important but mentoring support and networking opportunities are available in the UK which makes it easier to run a business.
Where did your drive for success originate? Who inspires you?
My main driver for success was back in 2009 when I finished my GCSE and I struggled to find a part time job. This got me thinking, if I can't find a job, I'm going to create one for myself. I started reading enterprise stories about young people and I got inspired from young people who were younger than me running successful business.
In your opinion, what is the most important ingredient to become an effective leader?
The most important ingredient to be an effective leader is you need to have a vision and believing in the vision will help you start from the bottom and work your way up until you achieve it. The second ingredient is to be a role model, people need to be able to look up to you and be inspired to follow your vision.
What are some of the obstacles that you have faced as an entrepreneur?
One of the main obstacles I faced as an entrepreneur was when my Mum didn't want me to be an entreprenuer. This was very challenging for me as I needed a lot of support to make it a success. My Mum wanted to be a physiotherapist and this was very challenging as we argued a lot about me wanting to start my own business.
You have established strong ties to the community because of your positive influence. You are socially responsible; giving back and building constructive relationships and initiatives. Why is it so important to you to provide these opportunities for positive change?
When I sold my cleaning business I had a lot of young people asking me how I managed to make it a success. This motivated me to want to give back and support young people in the community. I want to share my story and inspire young people to make a difference through enterprise. The most important reason why I run social action initiatives is not because of money but I want to change the way young people think.
We can see a number of ventures that you have been successful with. What keeps you focused in times of adversity when projects and ideas do not go as well as you envisioned?
My passion keeps me focused, I'm passionate about being my own boss and running my own business. I like the challenge of leading my own venture and making my own decision. I set myself challenging goals for a venture then when I reach the goals I sell the business and move on to a bigger challenge.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself as a international youth speaker and coach, supporting people across the world make it a success.
Even at your young age, many people look up to you. Can you share some advice to those who hope to start out on their own and make their dreams a reality?
My three steps to success:
1. Let your passion be your alarm clock: If you want to succeed in anything you do, you need to have passion first and then work on the idea. You need to do what you love and love what you do.
2. Networking: It's not about what you know, it's about who you know. If you want to be successful, you need to meet new people.
3. Get a mentor: Find someone who has been through your journey to support you make it a success.
Blessing Maregere
Young Entrepreneur & Inspirational Speaker
West Yorkshire, England
To some, dreams are a passive state of unconsciousness. To others, dreams are action; deliberate, formulated steps in a journey that
have the capability to take us into a new reality. During this journey, challenges are assured and obstacles are a certainty. The subject of our profile shares his perspective on meeting and overcoming these challenges by using your passion to navigate your travel to success.