By Elton Plaatjes
Milton Snavely Hershey – born September 13, 1857, shortly before the American Civil War, on a Derry Township farm located in central Pennsylvania, is someone most people may not know, but this story is phenomenal and inspiring.
Milton Hershey had little formal schooling. He attended at least seven schools due to his family moving from their original home in Derry Township to Lancaster County. His education was sporadic and disjointed and as an adult Milton was self-conscious regarding his limited formal education. Despite his phenomenal success without the benefit of a good education, he made many provisions to provide the children of his community with quality schools and opportunities for learning.
Africa in many regards is seeking willing and able young entrepreneurs (and there are a few to mention) to change the face of our economies. As much as what we cannot borrow skills and vision, the concepts and understanding of what made the fore fathers great, can appreciated through a glimpse of their insight and application of brainpower.
“The cover-your-butt mentality of the workplace will get you only so far. The follow-your-gut mentality of the entrepreneur has the potential to take you anywhere you want to go or run you right out of business–but it’s a whole lot more fun, don’t you think?” – Bill Rancic
The meaning of the term ‘entrepreneur’ lies more in the ‘homework’ that has been completed, sometimes over and over again. Entrepreneurship should mean:
– Willing to endure and stick it through (Because things change and so do markets)
– Face challenges that have probable trying consequences for your investment
– Trust in your vision and insight
– Propensity for hard work, diligence and thriftiness
– Instinctive
Or, what do you think?
