The First Ooqoo Meeting of the ViadeoAfrica hub is scheduled for Saturday
15 August 2009 from 1PM to 4PM in an afro caribbean restaurant in
London.
Aims: to maximize the Ooqoo network by going from virtual to reality in
order to identify possible synergies between participants.
We are looking for people / companies / NGOs wishing to present their activities/projects in an exposé.
The program of this meeting is as follows:
- Greetings - Round Table - Presentation (0.5 H)
- Speed Networking(1H)
- 4 exposes and debates (1H)
- Presentation of Viadeo Africa's projects (0.5 H)
- End of meeting
To register as a regular participant, or an exhibitor, please contact Francis (francis@ooqoo.org)
Hurry
up because the number of exhibitors is limited to a maximum of 4. The
configuration is the following: 2/5 NGOs and 3/5 Business
But the 49-year-old had a burning desire to succeed and persevered despite the constant rejections. Phila continued to knock on doors and word quickly spread about his car valeting service. Eventually, he landed a money making contract at Luton Airport.
“One day when I was knocking I came across a certain gentleman who I never knew, and he asked me if I was a big company. I said I was, and he said that he was looking for a huge valeting company so that they can give them a contract to wash people’s cars whilst they were on holiday,” he said.
Success came at a rapid rate. Phila now employs 10 people and valets 1,500 cars each month around the UK. Last year, his business turned over a profit of £120,000. “I am excited and very proud of what I have achieved,” he said. With a successful business and a six-figure salary, Phila decided to write a book, You live in Great Britain: why are you broke?, telling others how they too can be successful.
“There are so many other people out there who are struggling like I was. I am interested in personal development and it made me realise that I don’t need to work for anyone in life,” he explained.
POSITIVE
Phila believes that people who are poor in Britain choose to be, and he hopes the book will inspire people to take control of their future through positive thinking. “I want people to know that it doesn’t matter where you come from. Your background has nothing to do with what you want to achieve in life. After this recession, the brilliant thinkers will be so rich that it would seem that they weren’t affected by this recession, but poor thinkers will come out worse off,” he said. Despite running a successful business, motivational speaking is Phila’s real passion. He has set up a mentoring company called Positive
Impressions Coaching Academy. Phila believes he can help participants make £100,000 in a year. “You can make a fortune, and in my academy I tell people that you can make £100,000 in 12 months instead of settling for £20,000, because I have done that.
“The coaching is about upgrading your mind and not listening to the voices that are coming from outside. Just listen to the positive voice within,” he said.
Phila shares the fruits of his success with his proud family. Both of his sisters died of Aids – in 2007 and 2008 – and he helps to financially support their children.
EDUCATION
“My sisters left behind a total of six kids and in African culture we look after one another, so my sisters’ kids become my kids. The money goes towards their education and I have ended up helping 25 children go to school,” he explained. Despite the economic downturn, Phila is determined to achieve his goal of becoming a millionaire by his 50th birthday next year. “I want to concentrate on my coaching academy, where people can learn a lot and move on with their lives, because that is my passion,” he said. For more information visit Whyareyoubroke.com and www.thesuccesscoach.ws
How a South African migrant to the UK went from car washer to
six-figure money making mentor
SEVEN YEARS ago Phila Thikazi left his native South Africa with dreams of a better life
in England.
With a strong economy and currency, he believed the
streets of Britain were paved with gold. However,
he was soon disappointed. Phila found himself working menial jobs making less
than £11,000 a year.
“I came over here to better myself financially because
I thought the UK represented one of the
richest nations in the world. So in my mind I thought if I could get there I
can have a better life,” he explained. But working long hours at two jobs and
taking home just £350 a week, Phila soon became frustrated, especially as he
had made a promise to his mother when she died that he would make something of
himself.
TEMPTATION
“I cried when it dawned on me that I was not only
behind with my bills but also behind on the many promises I had made to my
immediate and extended family. The reality was that I was deep in poverty and
people couldn’t understand it,” he said. At times Phila was tempted to return
home after realising his dream of making a fortune was slipping away from him.
But he decided to stay and change his situation.
“I said to myself ‘now that I’m here I think I am
making a mistake. Like everyone else I am looking for jobs instead of looking
for opportunities,’” he said.
It was while he was reading billionaire entrepreneur
Richard Branson’s book about how he became rich that Phila realised he could be
as successful.
“There was one statement from that book when a
reporter asked him [Richard Branson] ‘How do I become a millionaire?’ and he
said, ‘It’s easy to be a millionaire these days, stop everyone and ask them for
£5,’” Phila said. He believed that if he offered a service instead of asking
people for money, he could be on his way to riches.
However, with no start-up capital he found himself
struggling to come up with a business he could launch. Then, while at his local
supermarket in Luton, a man who wanted to wash his car approached him. Phila realised that
car washing could be a successful business and asked the man to teach him the
ropes.
Once equipped with the relevant skills, Phila had
£1.50 available to him and bought himself a bucket, sponges and washing up
liquid. But he faced difficulty.
“I got so many ‘No’s on that first day I ended up
washing only one car, after knocking on 50 doors. There was so much
discouragement I was unwilling to go back to knocking the next day. I hated
being rejected by so many people,” he said.
We are energized by the belief that, for Africa's businesses and
entrepreneurs, the winds have hardly ever been more favorable than today. This
is the time to dare, go for growth and productivity gains and compete in
regional or global markets.
We are confident that, in Africa as elsewhere in the world,
the tools and disciplines of finance -appropriately used- bring a fundamental
contribution to the controlled growth of economic activities. We command a thorough understanding of these tools and
disciplines, just as we do of the markets we operate in.
Saoti Finance puts its financial skills to work for
industrial companies, financial institutions and private equity investors
active on the continent.
In doing so, we expand the scope of possibilities in Africa.
What is the secret of success in business? During
Africa Economy week, BBC News asked entrepreneurs across the continent to give
us their “top tips”. (Source IT News)
SEBASTIEN NEGY, INSURANCE BROKER, TANZANIA
Set goals and go after them.
Value your customers - deliver what you
promise.
Have confidence and believe in yourself. I
always go for what people think is not possible.
What is the secret of success in business? During
Africa Economy week, BBC News asked entrepreneurs across the continent to give
us their “top tips”. (Source IT News)
DINAH BINAH, FLORIST, TANZANIA
You have to network, network, network.
Families, friends, classmates, schoolmates, the
people you met in church neighbours - they are all your prospective customers.
What is the secret of success in business? During
Africa Economy week, BBC News asked entrepreneurs across the continent to give
us their “top tips”. (Source IT News)
STANI MUKE, GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ANIMATOR, DR
CONGO
Stani Muke, Graphic Designer, DR Congo
Stani Muke set up a successful graphic
animations company in DR Congo
You need lots of patience and nerves of steel.
When you’re setting up a business in virgin territory,
you are on your own.
Six years ago I set up a small company,
producing TV, radio and graphic design for the local market.
We needed the help of the government and
private sector.
It hasn’t happened yet. There are no structures
in place to support local productions.
I feel discouraged. But at the same time I
understand the country is in transition. Maybe soon we will reach that point.
What is the secret of success in business? During
Africa Economy week, BBC News asked entrepreneurs across the continent to give
us their “top tips”. (Source IT News)
GAULPHINE NYIRENDA, BOOKSELLER, MALAWI
My secret is hard work.
Being honest with my customers, telling them
the truth, honouring my bills, and knowing what is the customer’s need in the
area.
Now, I not only run a book shop, I also supply
women’s book clubs, and I’m an agent for major UK academic publishing houses.
What is the secret of success in business? During
Africa Economy week, BBC News asked entrepreneurs across the continent to give
us their “top tips”. (Source IT News)
ELISE BATES-WILLIAMS, HAIR STYLIST, NIGERIA
You don’t need to save a huge amount before you
start your business.
You can begin working from your house, or even
under a tree.
We started with a small amount - buying two or
three dryers, chairs and other equipment a customer might need.
What is the secret of success in business? During
Africa Economy week, BBC News asked entrepreneurs across the continent to give
us their “top tips”. (Source IT News)
What is the secret of success in business? During
Africa Economy week, BBC News asked entrepreneurs across the continent to give
us their “top tips”. (Source IT News)
FRANCIS OGHUMA, ENTERTAINMENT PROMOTER, NIGERIA
Nigeria is driven by nepotism. But you have to hang in there.
When you have the right product and you wait
long enough, the rainy day will come.
Also, putting in the street style works well
for me. Formal training can help. But businesses are
driven by passion and innovation. Even if I’d been to the best business schools,
my business would still be driven by my goals.
ENTREPRENEUR AND star of TV show Dragons' Den, James
Caan, has been appointed co-chair of the Government's Ethnic Minorities
Business Task Force.
The task force will form strategy to
assist ethnic minority-owned businesses across the UK, and is the country's most
influential team working on behalf of ethnic minorities in the business arena. Caan,
who made his name and fortune in the recruitment industry, before moving into
private equity, says ethnic minority businesses of all sizes can contribute a
whooping £30-£40 billion to the UK economy each year.
In these credit crunch times- it is
one of the key areas of the economy that's actually growing. "There could
be as many as 100,000 new BME [black and minority ethnic] businesses created
over the next 12 months alone, and part of the task force's job will be to
make' sure Government support is communicated to the right people in the right
way, encouraging these entrepreneurs as well as signposting very practical
Government packages that are in' place to help them," he explained.
DELIGHTED
Caan, who has first-hand experience
of ethnic minority businesses, says he is delighted to take the role and feels
he is the right person for the job. "This particular task force is focused
on BME businesses, and that's where I'll be offering my insight and experience.
It's an area I have a close knowledge of and one that's close to my
heart," he said.
The entrepreneur will be reporting
his findings to business secretary Lord Peter Mandelson, who says he hopes the
appointment of Caan will help remove barriers for ethnic minority business
owners. "It's more important than ever that we create an environment where
anyone with ambition, passion and a good idea, no matter what their background,
can succeed," he said.
Entrepreneur Laban
Roomes tells how going for gold paid off
By Janelle Oswald (Source: The Voice Feb 2009)
North LONDON-based entrepreneur Laban Roomes is celebrating after
winning a contract to design exclusive iPods for superstar Sir Elton John.
The
39-year-old founder of gold-plating company Goldgenie has signed a deal with
Sir Elton to design 900 Swarovski encrusted iPod Nanos, each with the star's
signature laser engraved on the back. The special iPods will be sold,
exclusively at Selfridges or directly from goldgenie.com.
"I'm
completely over the moon. At last all my hard work and commitment to my
business is paying off," Roomes told The Voice. Roomes' company
applies genuine 24-carat gold, silver, platinum, nickel and chrome to metallic
items.
MACHINE
The company developed a unique portable gold-plating
machine, which quickly allowed Roomes to establish a successful niche market in
the automobile industry gold plating car emblems for Lexus, Honda, and Toyota
dealerships across the UK.' Roomes then moved on to gold-plating items like jewellery,
golf clubs, and Nokia mobile phones, along with a variety of household objects,
including bath taps and fittings.
However,
it was not until he was invited to Hollywood to distribute over 50 gold-plated
mobile phones at the Emmy Awards to top stars that Roomes realised he needed a
cash injection to help develop his business further.
BACKING
After
appearing on the BBCs Dragons' Den in 2007, Roomes managed to secure
financial backing from entrepreneur James Caan. He was given £60,000 to take
his business to the next level. "I'd had the chance to go into the Den
twice before, but had lost my nerve both times at the last minute. It's an incredibly
daunting experience, and watching the programme on TV just can't prepare you
for how intense the pressure is in there.
NERVOUS
"Although
I was completely, nervous and messed up a few times, I managed to pull through.”I
was attracting interest, but within" no time at all, the 'Dragons'
declared themselves out one-by-one until only James Caan remained.“ To my
amazement, he said that he would give me the investment I needed to take my
business to the next level. "
"Since
appearing on Dragon's Den, my business has catapulted and I now have
exclusive deals with Harrods, Selfridges and HMV; where I designed gold-plated iPods,"
Roomes said. He has .been working on the iPod deal with Elton John for the past
six months. "Originally, I designed 12 iPods for him to auction at his
famous White Tie and Tiara (PWW), which wept down a storm.
"Denzel
Washington and Will Smith got word and placed an order, which I sold for £30,000
each, so l decided to strike a long-term deal with Elton because of the growing
demand, "the entrepreneur said.
LAUGHING
Roomes,
a father who has been married for seven years, is laughing now, but he didn't
always have the. Midas touch. Before hitting the jackpot, he would often travel
by foot to promote his business.
"Determination
is vital if you want success. You must keep focus. It's easy for others to look
at me now and say 'wow', but back in the days when I first started promoting
Goldgenie, nobody wanted to know. I used to walk to each shop one-by-one
because I did not have a car. It was extremely difficult, especially when I had
to carry the Goldgenie machine on my back.'
"But
God is good because look at me know. I'm making deal with Sir Elton John.” Money
from each iPod sold will go to Elton John’s Aids Foundation (EJAF), which was
set up in 1993 to help those living with, affected by, or at risk from HIV/Aids.
"I
am also extremely happy and proud that the iPods will raise money for those
suffering from HIV and Aids. Knowing that Aids is one of the world's biggest
killers, I am happy to be a part of the
fighting solution," said Roomes.
The
iPod Nanos will come in a variety of colours - black, blue, green, orange,
pink, purpIe, red, silver and yellow - and will have over 250 colour-coordinated
Swarovski crystals. "If you are buying for yourself or a loved one, we are
certain that you will be absolutely delighted with these fabulous Starburst iPods,"
said Roomes.
Libya's wireless
web access leap (Source: BBC News)
WiMax does not rely on sometimes
poor conventional wire infrastructure
Libya's only
internet service provider is launching its first commercial wireless network
which it says is one of the most advanced in the world. The state-owned firm
said only a handful of countries have rolled out the advanced internet
connection known as WiMax on such a wide scale.
Libya Telecom and Technology aims to
start with WiMax coverage, including a mobile feature, in 18 cities. Africa is seen as
a potentially huge market for WiMax technology.
The network is meant to be cost
effective in the long run and does not depend on often poor conventional wire
infrastructure. Anyone with a simple USB device
which can be plugged into a laptop can connect to the internet within 50km (30
miles) of any WiMax tower.
The BBC's Rana
Jawad in Tripoli says six
years ago most Libyans depended on internet cafes to connect to the web, but
technology has moved a long way since then. The new WiMax network, which has a
capacity for 300,000 subscribers, will begin taking on business clients from
next week and individual customers the week after.
Massive pressure
Our correspondent adds that other
African countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria also have
WiMax networks, but their coverage is more fixed and limited. There are an
estimated 51,000 broadband subscribers in Libya and some
170,000 still depend on the much slower dial-up internet.
Both of these connections need a
fixed phone-line, a service that has come under massive pressure in recent
years because the available infrastructure is outdated and limited in coverage.
As well as rural areas cut off from modern technology, new housing - even in
the capital Tripoli - is being built in areas with poor land-line
infrastructure, says our correspondent.
The WiMax network is meant to do
away with all these hurdles and bridge the digital divide, making the internet
available to people across the country. Libya Telecom and Technology said the
new service would cost $30 (£21) per month - twice the existing cost of
broadband - although prices are expected to drop in the long-run.
But our correspondent says it will
be difficult for the average Libyan to afford the initial cost of the new WiMax
service. It requires a one-year advance payment of around $400 (£290),
including the cost of a USB device.
THE GLASS ceiling is still preventing
black managers from.stepping up into executive jobs despite a range of Government
diversity initiatives over the last few.years, new research says.
Boardrooms across the public and
private sectors remain white, says a report, Race to the Top, by the
charity Business in the Community (BITC).
The organisation analysed data between
2000 and 2007 and concluded that management prospects are disproportionately
bleak for black people, nd likely to worsen over the ext decade unless action
is taken.
Sandra Kerr, National Director for the BITC’s Race for Opportunity campaign, called the findings
"devastating': "There is definitely a need to put this at the heart
of the agenda for Government and business," she said.
The
report also states that since 2000 a number of Government-led legal measures
and race quality initiatives designed to increase top-level opportunities for
black managers have had minimal impact. Kerr
said that now was a time for solutions.
“Chief executives need to walk into their
boardroom, take a look around and ask themselves 'does this represent in
anyway, shape or form what I see around me when I walk around street every
day?”
What has the response been like to your book so far?
We've had people saying
that they wish they had got this book sooner. There are so many books of this
kind in the market, I'm sure you are aware, but they are filled with a lot of
jargon, but our book talks directly to the reader in a language that they can
understand.
What would your advice be to people who are worried about the economic
downturn right now?
In relation to the economic downturn
there's a chapter in our book called, The Economic Cycle. Yes there is a credit
crunch at the present time and yes there is a looming recession, however this
is the best time to buy as prices are falling so you'll get the best possible
price. Shares have trebled and properties have tumbled - it's a buyers market.
It's not good to sell right now, but if you can afford to invest this is definitely
the time to do it.
What are the common mistakes that people make when It comes to money?
People get carried away with money.
For example, a lot of people think that money, is free and they run up tabs Without
a thought of how they will pay it back and then try and invest in get rich
quick schemes. We are not advocating any get rich quick schemes because anything
that comes easily can be lost easily. Take time to build your wealth because
then you will have the mindset and the skills to retain your wealth. Get rich
quick schemes arc: great in. the short term, but within two years that person
will find themselves in the red again. For those who are closely monitoring
their wealth as they: go along, you find that they have the technical skills,
the financial know-how and are able to reinvest the money they have made along
the way.
Taiwo and Kehinde Adesina are also
authors of A Simple Guide To UK Immigrationand Becoming All You Can
Be. For more Information contact Miriam Amony on 0845 003 7729.
ACCORDING TO sisters
Taiwo and Kehinde Adesina, authors of the book, A Beginners Guide To Wealth Creation, attaining financial
freedom is all about changing your mindset. As London-based lawyers, writers
and property investors, the Adesina's know all too well about the mistakes that
can be made when you enter the financial world prematurely and have used their
know-how to compose their self-help book. This week they tell Your Money (The Voice) readers, about
how to invest and safeguard your money.
Why did you decide to write A Beginners Guide To Wealth Creation?
We wrote the book together because as property
investors we have made a lot of mistakes along the way and wanted to make sure
that our readers didn't make the same mistakes. We hope that by using our
experiences people will thrive in finance. The Beginners Guide To Wealth
Creation is not a quick-fix scheme; that's not something that we
advocate. It outlines step-by-step procedures to creating wealth.
What are the common mistakes people
make when investing in property?
Buying property in the wrong
location or giving money to middle men who claim they are working on behalf of
the property companies, only to find out that this is not the case. It could
also be investing in the wrong stock. This is why we decided to write a book to
tell the rest of the world.
Can anyone read this book or is It specifically for those interested in
property investment only?
Anyone can read this book. It has
been simplified and is a step-by-step guide for anyone who is interested in
making and retaining wealth to pick it up and follow it. We've sold a number of
books and people have come to us and
said that they like the way the book is laid out with clearly labelled sections
that is specific for your needs and questions. The way you feel about yourself
will determine how far you go in life. Once you overcome the challenges you can
then start on the Journey of wealth creation.
Taiwo and Kehinde Adesina are also
authors of A Simple Guide To UK Immigrationand Becoming All You Can
Be. For more Information contact Miriam Amony on 0845 003 7729.
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