‘If it’s not fun, don’t do it’
JOBURG - Entrepreneur and motivational speaker Vusi Thembekwayo continues building his empire and is set to take on two-time world champion Formula 1 racing driver Mika Hakkinen.
Thembekwayo is taking part in a gentleman’s wager with Hakkinen and will attempt to come within five seconds of the racer’s best time around the famous Kyalami racetrack.
Despite the racing challenge, Thembekwayo, who was the youngest JSE director in South Africa, has not taken his eye off the prize and aims to always do what he loves, because that is the secret to his success.
Since being dubbed the ‘rockstar of public speaking’, he has focused his time and efforts not only in his business, but also on developing the businesses of others – keeping things fun all the while.
“We built this thing [business] from nothing – we started with a laptop and a cellphone,” he explained.
“I employed people who can do all the shareholder stuff and worry about that because I don’t want to do that stuff. I want to do the fun stuff – find entrepreneurs and give them money and invest and turn their business around.”
The charismatic Thembekwayo loves to speak and his business seminars have become highly recommended.
He strives to take his seminars worldwide. He has held one at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and he and his team are currently preparing for a sold-out show in Australia and in New Zealand.
“If you keep it fresh then it’s fun, and if it’s fun you’ll enjoy it, and if you enjoy it then you’ll do it well,” he said.
An ever-flowing river of motivational quotes, Thembekwayo believes that balance is overrated.
“There’s work and there’s life and you just have to make time, keeping in mind that if you’re mediocre in effort, you’ll have mediocre results.”
His final word to young and aspiring businessmen is that when doubt sets in, put your head down and work because if you’re working you don’t have time to doubt.
Who do you think will win the gentleman’s wager? Comment below, and let City Buzz know.
