Six entrepreneurial lessons, learned the hard way
People often ask me about entrepreneurship. How I started King Price Insurance on a wing and a prayer with a team of 13 back in 2012 and built it into what it is today.
What I always tell them is that entrepreneurship is not for sissies. I had to sell my house and car to self-fund the dream. My friends and family thought I was crazy. I knocked on 42 doors before I found an investor who bought the vision. And that’s not even mentioning all the numerous wrecks alongside the road on my entrepreneurial journey.
That’s the thing about entrepreneurship. Many people think the word ‘entrepreneur’ is synonymous with success. They don’t see the skinned knees, the hard work, the effort to get up when you fall and try again.
Here are my lessons for the crazy entrepreneurs out there. Be warned: Most have been learned the hard way.
Get focused
When I was young, I started lots of small companies that didn’t really take off. In fact, they drained my energy. So, I asked myself what these companies would be like in 10 years’ time. And then I focused my energy on the ideas that would have a long-term payoff. Hello, King Price.
Be flexible
Nothing is constant! If plan A doesn’t cut it, roll out plan B or C. Or even plan F. If problems crop up, fix them and move on. At King Price, we often say that we built the ship while we were already sailing, but we’ve weathered all the storms that have come our way. And that’s what entrepreneurs do every day.
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Done is better than perfect
Do you need a perfect solution, or do you need a solution now? Sometimes, a quick decision or a speedy implementation will be more important than a perfect solution that’s taken too long to refine. The trick is knowing where the balance lies.
Have a vision and values
Knowing what you want to be in the future guides what you do every day. But it’s just as important to know who you are, what you stand for, what makes you get out of bed in the morning and what your bigger purpose is (and no, making money doesn’t count as a purpose). Build on those values to start planning for your future.
Manage yourself
The most challenging skill to learn is the ability to manage your emotions. In other words, not only being aware of your feelings, but knowing how to deal with them. This entails detaching from a situation, being aware of your thoughts and the emotions behind your thoughts, and only then reacting. It’s a key skill for these crazy times and it’s a lot harder than it sounds.
Now get out there and make a difference. That’s what entrepreneurship is all about.
Renewal Specialist Cisco
1 天前Hi Gideon, hope you are well. I am so disappointed with your Kingprice insurance consultant. I need to contact you please.
Safety Specialist at ArcelorMittal
2 周Yesterday, Wednesday October 30, 2024 your service provider (two men) arrived at my house (my wife alone at home) with taxi, because your service provider's vehicle broke down - one of them had a bad alcoholsmell. My wife had to give them a pen and paper to write down measurements - poor poor service! I spoke to King Price Supervisor (Ronald Botes) yesterday explaining my frustration and he promised to send me his e-mail address so that I can get a local company to give a quotation and mail it to him . . . still waiting for his e-mail. This morning a second King Price service provider was allocated - going to the wrong town . . . When eventually found my address, he was there to replace tiles - and found open trenches. I phoned King Price Call Centre, was put on hold for 7 minutes and 54 seconds, and the call was dropped. P L E A S E A S S I S T M E!
Safety Specialist at ArcelorMittal
2 周Good day Mr Galloway, I am sorry to use this platform tro bring my frustration out, but I do not get any assistance from King Price call centre (Claim KP2686188/261024/01). On Saturday October 26, 2024 I reported a waterleak and I was told that it will be treated as an emergency and that a contractor/service provider will be send to my house before 15H00 the same day - only arrived Monday morning October 28, 2024. They then refused to start working BEFORE I pay them R 1 500 (co-payment), which I did. They dug up my stoep (16m). Late afternoon they left to get all parts required for the task, returned and refused to fix it because they are awaiting authorisation from King Price. When we complained to both King Price Serice Centre and your service provider, we were told that it is too late and that it will only be fixed the next day. Your service provider told my wife: J? mam, you like to complain. They left and we were felt without water - leak was only repared the next day.
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2 个月Good day Mr. Gideon, I hope you are well. I apologize for using this platform, but you are my last hope for resolving my complaint regarding claim CKP2878860/6. I am extremely dissatisfied with how King Price and its vendors have handled my vehicle claim. After a minor accident on July 26, 2024, I followed instructions to park my car safely and had it towed to Flora Clinic. Despite multiple follow-ups, I received no updates for over a week. Though Chane Barraball responded on August 8, there was confusion about who to contact. On August 15, I complained again due to the lack of communication. The assessor, Andzani, said Flora Clinic should provide the diagnostic report. Flora Clinic later admitted to finding an additional water leak from a previous poor repair and claimed my email was incorrect. Now, on September 10, 2024, I am informed that my vehicle is considered a write-off, contrary to my instructions. The car was drivable when taken in, and it has been with your vendors for nearly two months. I am very disappointed with the service and suspect issues in handling. Please address this matter urgently and can I please get my vehicle returned in a drivable condition.
Broker
4 个月I'm sorry that I have to use this platform, as im up in arms. Your company came highly recommended, and I'm ever so sorry I chose to give it a chance. The service is pathetic. Communication is key, and sadly, I feel a lot could have been avoided.