I was 13 when I started my first business. Talking on the phone with suppliers had them calling me Miss. But I made enough money to help my family through a hard time, and to buy myself my own motorbike when I was 16.
But this is not about ‘look at my hustle’. Anyone can hustle. Not everyone can have free time. My first job was at 16. Two weeks as a temp became two years doing everything from training people on software to graphics design. And then I got fired. Why? Because I wouldn’t stop listening to music in the office.
The drive for freedom has always been strong. I hate inefficiency, so I’m always looking to optimise. And that has allowed me to do some awesome things. I’ve worked a 9-5 in the office for 5 years of my career.
At 20 I was working one week a month because my bosses couldn’t provide equipment fast enough for my team due to our efficiency. We were doing in one week what other teams were taking a month to do. The business eventually closed due to bad management.
At 21 I opened a branch of a business that grew into 4 offices. Instead of having our own office with staff, we worked from other peoples premises. We used their rent and foot traffic, and I worked 4 hours a day. I moved to head office where I took paper invoice books and 6 figure bad debt and implemented efficiencies that got us to zero outstanding customer invoices.
I grew the family business into 21 franchises, then outsourced our manufacturing and fulfilment and moved to beautiful Cape Town where we worked from home with no offices. Bicycle rides and wine in the evening was our way of life. Business meetings at restaurants cost less than a small office every month.
Our customer ordering, accounts, bank and manufacturing was completely automated using ERP systems, freeing up more time, so we could travel for a month at a time with no downtime in the business.
My brother and I then started a new business selling a new kind of supplement. We sold them in … liquor stores. We had no competition, and so sales were easy. We tweaked our systems until we only had to make calls on Monday, and then just deliver orders for the rest of the week. Freeing up time. Retail is not easy, but done right, you can have hundreds of people selling for you.
And now, after a personal tragedy, I am a single father of two, and I am sharing the things I have learned in 35 years of optimising life. But my principle holds true – More money AND more time.
As a new business, gaining visibility can be a challenge, but it’s encouraging to see that some websites have taken notice of our efforts. Among these are notable platforms like Snapscan S’market, which serves as a marketplace for websites that accept Snapscan as a payment method. Another mention is Payflex, which offers a buy now, pay later option and lists various sites that provide this service.In addition to these, we’ve discovered several other interesting websites that contribute to our online presence.
Platforms such as Linktree, Lasso, and Protopage are great for organizing and sharing links effectively. Communication tools like Telegram and content management systems such as WordPress and Webflow also play a vital role in enhancing our digital footprint. Other noteworthy mentions include Dailygram, Mssg.me, and Contently, which help in content creation and sharing.Moreover, popular platforms likeBlogger Draft, Carrd, and IMDB allow us to engage with diverse audiences.
Visual content can be shared through sites like Imgur and Instapaper, while community engagement is facilitated by platforms such as IntenseDebate and Patreon. For curating content, we utilize tools like Wakelet, along with link management services such as Biolinky, Weebly, and Wix.Exploring further, we also find inspiration from creative hubs like Atlas Obscura, Deviant Art, and social platforms like Flickr and Twitch. The versatility of sites like Youtube and creative portfolios on platforms such as Behance and Artstation enrich our outreach efforts.
Additionally, resources like Garmin, regional insights from Google South Africa The Daily Shake, and fun content from sites like Giphy and Product Hunt keep us connected to trends.Lastly, we appreciate the support from community-driven platforms like My Mini Factory, feedback-oriented sites such as Proven Expert, and music-focused communities like Reverb Nation. We also value the stock imagery available on platforms like Shutterstock and the interactive features of tools like Walk Score and social bookmarking on sites like Folkd.
Snapscan S’market – A market place of websites that offer Snapscan as a payment method.
Payflex – Buy now, pay later by Payflex. A market place of all websites that offer this service.
Linktree
Lasso
Protopage
Telegram
WordPress
Webflow
Dailygram
Mssg.me
Contently
Blogger Draft
Carrd
IMDB
Imgur
Instapaper
IntenseDebate
Patreon
Wakelet
Biolinky
Weebly
Wix
Atlas Obscura
Deviant Art
Disqus
Flickr
Chocolatey
Twitch
Youtube
Behance
Artstation
Garmin
Google South Africa The Daily Shake
Hatena
Giphy
Product Hunt
My Mini Factory
Proven Expert
Reverb Nation
Shutterstock
Walk Score
Folkd
I build businesses and am a business coach. My latest one is Great Shakes, where we make delicious nutrition shakes to get your vitamins every day that compete with great brands like AG1. It helps naturally support your gut with probiotics, as well improve your energy and help your immune system. We also make a natural sleep remedy without melatonin, that helps sleeplessness naturally. And finally we have the Daily electrolyte Hydration Powder.