Entrepreneurial insights flourish from experiences, resources, education and learning events. Yet, some of the lessons that business owners now carry in their entrepreneurial journeys may often be traced from childhood. Some develop their skills and knack for business since their early years, whether it’s through their family or their self-learning.
Founder and Director of Graman Advisory and Executive Director of Clark Rubber Graeme Goldman looks back to his early years and realised the gem of lessons he got during those times.
“I grew up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in Africa. Rhodesia was and still is a third world country, which means there is a lot of poverty. My father was a pharmacist, so whilst we were not wealthy, we were comfortable,” Graeme shared.
He recalled his childhood days and how he would enjoy it with his family. “When I was 6 or 7 years old, we, as a family, would have a big outing for the week and go to the movies on a Sunday night. This was a big event because in Rhodesia at the time, we did not even have TV (yes, think about how lucky I was to grow up without TV).”
However, one incident was ingrained in his mind and brought a valuable lesson that he still carries to this day. “On this particular Sunday, I was walking with my dad, my hero, and we walked in and bought the tickets. Next step was to go to buy popcorn and lollies. But my dad bent down and asked me if I would like to do something instead of spending money on popcorn and lollies. I said no because I was entitled to those, just like every other Sunday at the movies,” he recalled.
“Dad asked me if I saw the beggar on the pavement as we walked in and I said, ‘no, I did not’. Dad explained to me that the beggar was begging because he had no money and no food, and we could give the money for the popcorn and lollies to the beggar to buy food, but I would have to forego my treats,” Graeme continued.
The next thing that happened made little Graeme realise something important. “Begrudgingly, I walked with my dad to the beggar and dad gave the beggar the popcorn money, shook the beggar’s hand and wished him well. As we walked back to the movie, my dad said something to me that I have never forgotten and something that I have lived my life by:
‘there but for the grace of god, go I.’”
What his dad meant was that Graeme was fortunate not to be in a similar situation as the beggar, which is why he has to empathise with them. That lesson has shaped Graeme’s view of the entrepreneurial path and helped him overcome the challenges he encountered along the way.
“As entrepreneurs, we have all faced difficulty and hardship in our journeys. At least I know I have. Every time I think how challenging life is for me at that moment, I remember those words my dad said to me more than 40 years ago. It reminds me that life could have been a lot harder for me than what it is and I am grateful for what I have and for what I have been allowed to achieve,” he remarked.
Truly, the path of entrepreneurship may be full of ups and downs. However, many more may be in an even worse situation than the one you may be in. The entrepreneurial life calls for perseverance, endurance, relentlessness and determination. It may also need human values like sincerity, compassion and honesty. One does not learn all these overnight. Some of them you may already have picked up from your childhood lessons or your experiences, which you may be able to apply to your role as a business leader.