Winning recipe from erstwhile struggling entrepreneur

Amid a global economic crisis that could result in any business endeavour heading for shark-infested waters, Kholofelo Pholafudi is the man any entrepreneur would welcome in their corner… for no other reason than this young business mind being armed with first-hand experience of the factors that can make a concept sink.
Having made the wrong decisions based on his own ignorance in the past resulted in him sharing his life lessons with others. After failing at 12 different business concepts which he has attempted since the young age of 26 and suffering R3 million in consequential debts, Pholafudi initially shared his knowledge with friends. Their positive feedback spurred him on to write his first book. Two years later he has just launched his fourth title.
Pholafudi laughingly mentions that he became an author by default after being prompted to pen down the hints he passed on to friends by sharing inscriptions in a journal he kept. His first title, ‘The Psychology, Science and Art of Turning Contacts Into Connections’ that was launched in 2013, took him 31 days to write. At 17 000 copies later he has produced three more books titled ‘When Opportunity Knocks It Is Too Late To Prepare’ that was published in 2013, ‘How To Monetise Your Talent’ launched in 2014 and ‘Relieving Anxiety, Depression and Stress’ which was launched in August this year. The success of the first title he ascribes to the book having been marketed widely and through the internet and distributors. For the time being he has to concentrate on marketing the remainder of the titles, he remarks.
Apart from being an author he offers services to enterprises varying in size from small to medium scale and also steers an educational and social-entrepreneurship-driven movement from his Polokwane base. The Hangout Network started approximately six months ago and the successful hosting already necessitated accommodating larger audiences two months later. It has thus far garnered tremendous response from Gauteng, which might result in taking the concept there, he exclaims. Pholafudi expresses the desire to show people how to build their business on successful networks. The year’s activities ended with a gala dinner at Meropa Casino and Entertainment World of which part of the proceeds would go towards monetary assistance to a child-headed household of seven orphans at Ga-Matlala left to their own devices in a burnt-down house. Refurbishing their abode, showing them care and giving them “one heck of a Christmas” are all in the planning, he points out.
Despite the 5 000 testimonials to his advantage and assisting 97 young entrepreneurs getting a business off the ground without start-up capital, Pholafudi declares that there is still a lot of work that remains to be done in his home province. After all Limpopo is where his heart is. He believes the province has tremendous potential, if only mindsets could change for its inhabitants to understand that they are fully responsible for whatever outcomes they expect in life. “If we can restore certainty and hope in the youth, tomorrow’s leaders, this province can become something else.”
He concludes the conversation by sharing wise words. “Never give up. And dream. No matter the circumstances.”

Story: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com

Photo: Author and business mind Kholofelo Pholafudi.