Looking back at what can be achieved at in 30 days

Can someone set up a new and innovative business in 30 days. The answer is a definte yes and here are some of the summarised ingredients. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the higheest...
1. Have a new and innovative idea that others will buy into. This is a definite golden rule for me, and the Stick fighting does subscribe to this philosophy. (9)
2. Convince a few passionate people to become partners ( and they can own most of it) to implement the idea on the street level. (10)
3. Implement and test the concept on the street and see if the public love it. In the case of stick fighting the public love it and this can be seen by the very high numbers of spectators at tournaments, corporate interest, tourist interest.(10)
4. See if the media are interested. This was a resounding success as we received plenty of media interest ( 8)
5. Can we sell to investors. There is definite interest from investors (6)
6. Are there good revenue streams. yes ( 8)
7. Will this business run without me. yes ( 9)
8. We have a company structure in place as a TRUS

So there is much to do, but there is a great team in place and there is real traction for this business. I have no doubt that the stick fighting company/ Trust will grow into a great business. The new business for the next 30 days will be started tomorrow. IT WILL BE A STREET TRIPE FRANCHISE CALLED " I LOVE TRIPE". I will explain more tomorrow.

Street theater

Vuyisile has taken to the streets with his permit ( although I can honestly say that the permit is a load of crap, written on a scrappy paper, and very vague about its terms and conditions). I was watching the young boys "busking" in the Gardens and some security guards came over and asked them to leave. When I intervened Vuyisile had to go to "the boss" who claimed we couldnt busk in the Gardens. There was nothing said about this on the permit. I suddenly had a brainwave based on the New York subway experience. In New York if you want to busk in the subway they have auditions for a limited number of people ( say 100) to get permits for 2011. This leads to competition and excitement. When I walk in the city centre there is so little vibrancy and energy in the form of original street entertainment. When in NYC in the parks and subways there is some amazing talent on show...and who knows someone may get the exposure they need and get discovered. Cape Town always wants to be seen as a center for creativity and innovation and wouldnt a busker audition be something really big for the people in the city. Designated areas with high volumes (like the gardens) would give people income earning potential and train some of the buskers to market themselves and develop their talents. I love it! Now to convince the powers that be on the idea!
Meanwhile Vuyisile continues on the streets, learns more about his product and continues to earn some cash as a "busker".

bureaucracy!

After 10 amazing tournamenst with thousands of spectators in the townships Vuyisile took to the streets of Cape Town for a small promo exhibition of Stick Fighting. Within seconds a security guard walked up to them and told them to stop. He needed a permit. In the townships we could do as we wished. We created an amazing spectacle watched by thousands...of black spectators. They phoned me. What type of permit do we need, I asked? He said he didnt know but they needed a permit. Ok where do i get one? At the civic center. Which department i asked? He didnt know. I told Vuyisile to pack up. The country is screaming for entreprenurs. For people to take their destiny into their own hands and start enterprises. Well thats excatly what were doing. However there are different rules for the township entrepreneur to that of the city entrepreneur. Not sure why though? Methinks the bureaucarcy for young entreprenurs in South Africa is just pathetic. Rules, rules and more rules. Little wonder there is so little innovation and creativity. Rules to open a business, rules to what you cant do and where you cant do it. Rules about employment. Rules about rules about rules. Here are my rules for young black entreprenurs.

1. There are no rules to what type of business you want to start
2. There are less rules and more fredoom to experiment in the townships so start there
3. Dont register a business unless you have to. First see if your products/services sell before you choose compliance. Compliance should come thereafter as it is time consuming and costly and CIPRO is not exactly the most dynamic of organisations.
4. Dont employ people with contracts to start. Rather get people who want to be involved with you. By offering people jobs you become and employer and this can be the cause of some serious heartbreak the first time someone takes you to the CCMA.
5. Get paid upfront for goods or on the first of the month rather than the end of the month. People are such bad payers in this country.
6. Dont register for any VAT or other taxes when you start. Keep it simple and only do this if you start to grow.
7. Dont borrow from banks or try to from other financial institutions. They have too many rules and you are wasting your time. Try and borrow from family and friends.
8. An entrepreneur will try and break as many rules as possible but they need to be legal.

So we'll get the permits (however long that takes) and we'll' "hit" the streets of Cape Town and hope they let some young entrepreneurs be dynamic. Wonder what would happen if Helen Zille got on the streets to promote a new product or service wether she would need a permit. She probably wouldnt even know what type of permit we'd be talking about.

Taking ownership

Today was a really good day. I met up with some of the winners of the stick fighting tournaments on Muizenberg beachfront. With a stick in my hand we discussed the way forward. The first thing was the issue of ownership. I spoke candidly to them that if they took complete ownership of the Stick Fighting Comapny it would take off like a rocket ship. They all agreed. What a great first step. This was not just about greed and money but about neing apart of something new, innovative and big, and something they truly beleived could work. From being unemployed to being apart of a real company. We then discussed the holidays. They all agreed that we would set up some exhibition style events at places like Camps Bay and The Waterfront. We would PR the company together and try and get some people to pay for the experience. Vuyisile will make sticks that we could try and sell. After the holiday period the fighters will start setting up clubs in their areas and get young boys to fight.
Afterwards I met with SABEF ( South African Black Entrepreneurs Forum( Vuyisa) and we discussed entrepreneurship. He mentioned that would could hold a large tournament at a stadium. Exciting. A type of Romanesque Colloseum type of bout, which is more like entertainment that we could film with all the top fighters. The last tournament happens this weekend and I cannot wait. This time we will start with some young boys and I might even let Noah my boy fight with them. Then we will get on with the real stuff. In last weekends bouts one guy got wacked hard and there was plenty of blood. We better make sure the medics are in full force. We now have 15 more days for this business to make a mark and continue. Not a bad job for 16 days of work. I also realise that after speaking to Vuyisa that I really want to just help youngsters become what they really want to become. To achieve their dreams but also to get people excited and to take ownership of their own lives. In the following 11 businesses each one will be owned by a different group. Now think about that. 12 new businesses with an average of 12 new owners ( or more ) 144 people with a whole new life.

Selecting entrepreneurs

Yesterday i was part of the selection process for the Raymond Ackerman Academy for entrepeneurs. Seeing all these young faces come through the door is truly one of the highlights of my year. Soooo much potential oozing out of most of them. Young people all black giving business a go. Some had started businesses but had really struggled maintaining them. Some were still running small businesses and earning a small living while employing others. I am amazed that a country with so much potential sitting out there doesnt give these youngesters more support. We live in a country that is so buraucratic and rule bound when it comes to business. The authorities want to apply the same rules to a small start up as they do to large multinationals. This is ridiculous. In the NGP [ new growth plan] ( of which you can tell I am not a fan) this is mentioned as vital to create jobs. And I do agree. However the rules need to change.
Here are my 10 rules for small black business creation for South Africa.
1. Free courses like the RAA course funded by the state offered en masse to selected young business stars. These will be around 6 months.
2. Subsidised incubator services and costs by the state ( and state institutions such as telkom, eskom etc) once they have completed the course work. This will be for 3-5 years, and will provide the tracking of these small businesses
3. A new company structure for small start up businesses that will include a maximum time period to register of 24 hours.
4. For a start up company only a 5% tax rate should be paid for the first 10 years.
5. People should be able to hire and fire as they wish without any labour legislation
6. There should be a "special fund" funded by a state bank managed by high risk entrepreneurs ( not bureaucrats) to loan small businesses money.
7. Every company should still invest in ED ( enterprise development) and PD ( Procurement development) where larger companies are funding specific programs.
8. A massive state funded public campaign by the state to promote and guarantee work to these small businesses over a 5 year period.
9. Reward Innovation (teach innovation) at schools and teach and reward risk taking
10. Let people fail but dont punish them for that. In South Africa we punish people who have tried rather than rewarding them for their efforts.

This is what this blog is all about!

Why are entreprenenurs scared of joint ventures?

When 2 companies which are both start-ups need something from one another then surely a joint venture is the best way to move forward. I was approached by a new start up that basically wants to let the public have access to (any sports code) sports results on a live weekly basis from schools, and the results and story of each game will be posted on the web-page by school journos. A great idea. Another company has a great web page that encourages the public to write stories that are positive good news stories, trains journos and then tries to raise funds and mobilise good for good causes. They are both section 21 companies. Why would these companies not use another to get ahead? The sports idea needs the training the good news project can offer as well as access to a great web page. The good news project needs major regular traffic that the sports project can offer. The answer is both about egos ( its my concept and I'm not comfortable sharing it), and flexibility ( I cant/wont change my business concept). So they will probably go their own way and maybe even become competitors. What I have learnt about being an entrepreneur is that you need to place your own ego to one side, and you defintely need to be flexible. Sometimes a small change or adaption is the thing that can take your business to the next level. In this case they need one another and it would be a travesty if they didnt get it together. Tomorrow I will be meeting with the winners of all the stick fighting tournaments and we will be organising public events in the city and the waterfront area and Camps bay targeting tourists over the holiday season. The last tournament of the year will be at Masiphumelele Site 5 Fishhoek and you are all welcome to come and attend. If there is anyone who wants to buy sticks for gifts this christams give me a call.

being black!

Ntuthu and Lira are 2 young female entrepreneurs with a good business concept. They sanitize and clean computers, telephones, fax machines, screens etc...anything in the office/workplace where more than one person touches with their hands. They have studied through the RAA school for entrepreneurship and they have received some start up funding. Sounds good right? Well there is a problem with this picture. They are black and there is one big downside. Most businesses they need the work and contracts from are white owned and controlled. And yes it is damn hard for them to open any doors unless some white guy helps them. If you think I am just ranting on about this as a race issue then you are correct. Its much easier to be a small business and white in South Africa as you may have some contacts that will popen doors, or people just assume trust because of the colour of your skin. Black business and truly black ideas struggle much more than white businesses do. The question is what can be done about it. When people like Ntuthu and Lira or Vuyisile from the stick fighting company knock on your door you have to understand that this is a massive step these young people are taking. A step in self confidence, belief, and trust. Its the way you say no or the way you dismiss them. They are not there to beg for a job. They are selling themselves as much as their products/services. The country is always talking about increased entrepreneurship and small business but in reality we arent giving these people a chance. I sent Ntuthu and Lira around my complex and it was not that they received a no, it was dismissive and degrading. Yes, they will make mistakes, and yes they may need some guidance and mentoring. But how else will they make the transition from job seeker to job creator. There should be a policy in every company, that if a young black entrepreneur knocks on your door trying to sell themselves and their businesses the company should hear them out, give them some decent feedback, and now and then bet on them...give a few of them a chance. Even a trial period will teach them valuable lessons. Perhaps Minister Patel in his NGP paper could have added a practical idea like this...all companies are not only measured on procurement but also on how many small black owned businesses they let through their door to pitch their services to.

a product or a service?

I beleive that every young entrepreneur should start with a product. Something you can see, touch, feel, taste. Why is this? I have learnt that people get much more excited by something that is real, rather than a concept. When I lecture at RAA course for young woud be entrepreneurs i always tell them that the final presentations should be with real prototypes. They will have though about a creative idea like the recycled computer biltong drier or the shower kettle or a builders hard hat under-cap, and they need to show everyone what this product in its most basic form will look like. Those students who choose services or products that are more IT based find it difficult to explain and showcase. A product also provides the discipline of costing properly, which leads to more accurate sales prices. With the stick fighting company i have the following products. I have sticks ( 2) and a list of rules ( for sale at R60 ), I have corporate workshops ( for sale at R3,000 for 30 minutes in the boardroom), I have padding, helmets etc, I have tournaments ( for sale to sponsors at 12 tournaments for R350,000 sponsorship in 2010), I have a coffee table book, I have a reality TV show, and I have a non-profit trust that will raise funding for young boys to learn the skill by older men. All great products! I beleive that once someone has cracked a product and all the hard work that goes into it, a service becomes a lot easier.

what business are you in?

I did a fantastic interview with Michelle Constand ( spelling ? ) on Saturday in between watching Noah my son fighting in a karate tournament. The joys of starting a business is that it is a 24 hour activity that never sleeps and requires every inch of your soul. I dont think people actually realise this. I think this is one of the make or break lessons when starting a business....you gotta give it your all. Its the same as the little karate dudes. The one's who practice the most will be the most successfull. The one's who play in the gartden with brothers and friends every day will be brilliant. And why should business be any different. 90% sweat and 10 % luck. This is why this blog is so nice as it disciplines me to write daily about starting a small business and i would encourage all those who start a small business to have their own blog. Later in the day I went to my sister who is trying all types of things in her business. Being a ceramist and artist we started to discuss the essential question about any business. "What business are you in". The most commonly used example is that Mcdonalds doesnt sell burgers but invests in property, or that coke doesnt sell drinks but refrigaration. I am in the business of ideas and I have many angles to follow. I lecture on innovation to young students ( which will lead to a book i am currently writing called " seeing the leaves" ). My company innovation shack CC develops new business ideas, implements and then sells them off in a variety of ways. And there are thousands of these potentially. I have a blog on new business ideas which you are reading...and on and on. I love new ideas because they turn me on. And your business? What business are you in? How many angles can you see in your business? In the case of my sister she is in the business of clay and everything that goes with clay, which is endless, innovative and inspiring! In the case of the stick fighting company this is a business about "being a black man", and being a black man in South Africa is an endless new endeavour of new products, markets and innovations. To fight, to watch a fight, to offer advice, to train young men, to market a proud and brave culture, to break into the boardroom and shake those men up a little and so on. The tournament in Nyanga was a great success as always. 2 more tournaments this year and then we hit the open streets. One in langa and one in site 5 Masi.

what can be achieved in 1 week?

What can be achieved in 1 week when starting a business? Well alot i think. I started this blog to encourage people to just go out and do things. I wish to hear from people who are doing new and innovative stuff. So if you are out there please tell me what you are up to? The next stick fighting tournament is this week at Nyanga Junction and promises the same thrills and spills as all the other tournaments. I have done a full presentation now for potential investors based on the film footage and the photos, and will start sending these to investors on Monday. My company registartion goes in tomorrow. So all you budding new entrepreneurs come on and get out there and start something new. You never know if you become the next big thing! I am also formalising the stick fighting product at the moment. The rule book is being written. We have judges training booklets that is being written as well, and tournament rules. I am looking at packaging the rule book with sticks that are from alien vegetation. I need to get about 1000 sticks packed for the Christmas season. I will produce some T-shirts as well. I think I also need a few exhibition type events during Chistmas on the streets to promote the company. ( I will use head gear and padding for these, so ordinary guys can participate and pay for the experience). Alot to do, speak to you tomorrow!

partnering with the media

I have been receiving amazing feedback from the tournament and the video's and pictures that were taken. I think an innovative business concept will always win over customers as people inherently want new things all the time. Also it encourages people to join in like media people, photographers, videographers and implementors/ managers. At the moment the concept of the stick fighting company is capturing peoples interest. Now I need to capture the media's interest and I will be sending to every media contact I have. The goal is to create enough media attention which will in turn create interest from sponsors and investors and clients. There is a rule in raising investor funds that I have learnt long ago and that is people give to those they have heard of. I remember reading a case study about 2 organisations. One had done extensive PR and the other had done none. The one who was well known received all the funding. I am a great beleiver in PR and this will be the next phase of the stick fighting company over the next week or so. The goal is to raise the capital and sponsors needed to grow this business. So watch the media as you will see the stick fighting company on every page!

The Stick Fighting Video!

The stick fighting companyTrust

Today Vuyisile is coming to my office with the names of 3 trustees to set up a Trust which is a type of company. A Trust is often a good way to start a company as it involves at least 3 people ( minimum) and is essentially a non-ownership company. A Trust can make money and this money is placed back into the business which is a really good thing for a fledgling business. Many times I have seen small businesses start and all the income is drawn to pay off debt or purchase unnecessary items. A trust also helps start a business because there is no shareholding. This means that there is less paperwork and all are equal. I also like the fact that Vuyisile has co-opted a few of his judges and organisers to become trustees based on their hard work and dedication. This is real BEE, and these are the guys who will promote the business on the ground.
Its amazing how the concept is coming together. A massive interest is being shown on the ground for the product as a tournamnet spectacle, and possibly a TV show, a new company is being born with great management, and a myriad of business opportunities are being discussed with a host of role-players.
Business opportunities such as a T-shirts, a photo-novel, a TV docuemntary and reality TV show, tournaments, sticks and rule books, fighting fitness routines, clubs for young men. I am sure there are more angles.
Once we have registered the company all of this will come together. I already have an offer from the provincial government department for funding for the tournaments and social clubs.
I will post the You Tube video later today!

day 3 an amazing tournament

Wow, wow, and more wow! The stick-fighting tournament in Mfuleni was amazing, exciting, dangerous, exhilirating! There were 4 of us who took the drive. As we turned the corner, I said to the guys, "im not sure where were going, but just look for the crowds, there's always crowds at these tournaments. And there they were. Overlooking a dusty patch of earth near a block of flats were about 400 gregarious spectators. We stopped the car moving quickly toward the crowd and toward Vuyisile. The fight started just then and the men hit, blocked, moved, the crowd got more excited. Nick my photographer friend jumped in and started taking pictures ( which I will show you tomorrow). There was an injured guy being looked after by the genteel medic. Fight after fight brought the crowd to raptous joy. They clapped the winners and the event went very smoothly with the judges and organisers doing a great job. One guy got his head split open and lost the bout. I asked Vuyisile to give him a helmet which we had offered to all fighters. He declined and so did all the other fighters. The crowd went ballistic went when we offered the helmets baying for a real fight. We all left feeling like we were on a complete high. The event had everything that a sponsor would be interested in, but most importantly it had the support of the masses.

day 2 organising the stick fighting tournament

So the stick fighting tournament is this Sunday in Mfuleni ( one of Cape Town's townships). The venue is an open piece of land on the left hand side of the main road that leads into the township. You are all welcome to attend, i promise it will be breathtaking. I have my man on the inside helping me called Vuyisile. He is fantastic. He is a small waif of a rasta who doesnt eat any meat. We have arranged for a medical practitioner ( in case there is blood...there will be some blood!) We have arranged protective helmets for the one's who want it. We have cut the sticks ( aliens I might add!) and we have placed posters. Vuyisile has taken most of the responsibilities and my hope is he will take this on as his business as i instill the passion and the viability of the business in him. This is my model and it has never failed before. V has also organised judges and referees. Every fighter will receive R30 and the winner R1000 cash. Let the games begin!

the stick fighting company, the first business

This is day 1 of my challenge to start 12 businesses in 12 months. I have chosen my first business to start, namely "The Stick fighting Company". You may be asking what kind of business is that? Let me explain. I teach innovation once a week and one of the students saw in the newspapers a picture of people protesting (or toy toying as we say in South Africa). He looked at the sticks the men were carrying and thought about a new business opportunity. Why not start stick fighting tournaments? Stick fighting is a traditional fighting technique practiced around the world, usually by young men during their initiations. However in many parts of the world this tradition is dying.
So back to the Stick Fighting Company. What I aim to do is the following. Hold weekly stick fighting tournaments in townships ( slums), entrance will be free, and i will seek sponsorship from major corporates. One winner will win it all! At the same time I will be choosing the best fighters and train them to hold corporate workshops for a fee. Whenever a corporate holds a workshop or event they can hold a fun stick fighting lesson and tournament at work ( with padding). Because we will be holding tournaments every week i hope to set up clubs across the country. Once this happens i hope to have a national competition that is televised. I will publish a book on stick fighting and maybe even a movie. I will also sell T-shirts and sticks will be packaged for sale with all the rules of stickfighting. The tournament will happen on Sunday and i will paste pictures and a UTUBE insert on monday.

I Charles Maisel, world famous social entrepreneur have set myself the challenge starting today to start 12 new businesses in 12 months to inspire all young entrepreneurs to follow my journey and to be inspired to do the same.