If there is one thing that I love doing, it is telling my story, your story, and everyone else’s story, for that matter. My story as an entrepreneur definitely boasts an insane amount of twists and turns. In Afrikaans, I would have used the term ‘kinkels en kabels.’ But one phrase that keeps on popping up in my mind is:
“Your story is not just about where you started, but the courage to keep writing it every day.
Each challenge, each step, adds to a unique journey that only you can tell—
and it’s the story that will inspire others to pursue their dreams.”
Christél Rosslee-Venter
My Biggest Birthday Wish
Today is my birthday. Yes, I woke up long before everyone else to write a story. Crazy, but it is true. I love writing stories. My biggest wish for my birthday is that you start writing your story. In earnest. Life passes by way too quickly, and if you do not make the time to sit and write your stories, you might miss the boat completely. And once you have started to write your story, I’d like you to put the pen down or stop typing on your keyboard, and take a moment to reflect on where you want your story to develop. Personally, I do not believe in story endings. My story is far from over, and neither should yours, even after we have exchanged the here and now for eternity.
This story is definitely not over yet!
The Stories Keep on Growing
I have literally been telling stories since I can remember. This is probably why I was editor of my school’s newspaper ‘Tolbossie’ from Grade 11, editor of our neighborhood’s newsletter, and our church’s newsletter. The list goes on and on. One of the stories that edged in my mind is one of the many stories about my phenomenal father, Flip Rosslee. What makes his story so incredibly interesting is because of where he started, the fact that he almost lost his life before he met my mother, the difference he made to those who knew him, and most importantly, the legacy he has left behind for his children, grandchildren, and everyone else who is following.
The moral of this story is that your story could be growing, too. Where you have started, or where you have managed to get yourself into, has nothing to do with where you could go and should go. I do believe that each and every one of us has an amazing story to share with the world. My story as an entrepreneur keeps on growing, and so could yours. Even if you are not an entrepreneur yet.
Rags to Riches or Riches to Rags
We love following Rags-to-Riches stories. Whether it is a Disney story or an entrepreneur’s biography. Let’s face it: rags-to-riches stories are super inspiring. The underdog finally made it to the top. The Riches-to-Rags stories are definitely not as popular, unless you are into material that drags you down into a depression. One of our Expedition Business episodes featured Sarah Collins, founder of WonderBag. Sarah came from a highly privileged family in the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands. She was the black sheep of the family.
It’s not about the Brag
I often find that people believe that the mere fact of writing about themselves is a form of bragging. In my family at least. You could call us the stoere-boere-type. My dad has been a phenomenal man, but the best part is that he never intended to write his story. It took me a lot of journals as birthday gifts to get him to write his story. Or at least portions of his story. In the end, I got my daughter to request her granddad to write his story. Who says no to their grandkids?
Why are we so slow to write our stories? Not to brag about ourselves, but to serve as inspiration. I do believe that one of our biggest shortcomings is in recognizing the massive inspirational value that our stories have on others. Whether it is your story as an entrepreneur or just your story about your own personal experiences. If it makes you feel better, life’s too short to make your own mistakes. Learn from others’ mistakes and turnarounds.
Where do you start?
A conversation with Gawie van der Walt of G&S Insurance Brokers highlighted one of our biggest stumbling blocks in writing our entrepreneurial stories. “Where do I start?” was Gawie’s first question. “Our focus is on providing for our families and the members of the team in our organisation. Not on writing about what we do and why we do it,” Gawie continued. A very valid point.
This is probably the reason why we host workshops on where to start writing your story as an entrepreneur. And yes, our workshops also feature modules on how to expand on your story. ‘Cause your story is never finished. You are adding to your story daily.
The Moral of This Story
I have many talents. One of them is getting completely lost in the nuances of my stories. And if I write about my entrepreneurial story, the twists and turns become really exciting. Or at least that’s the story I tell myself. The pessimists might refer to this as ADHD, but that’s a story for another day.
The original intention of my story as an entrepreneur is that I want to inspire you to start writing your story. Almost in the same manner that I got my dad to start writing his story. It’s no secret that I want you to join addVentures Academy as part of your process to share your story. As an extra bribe, we will be giving away a “My Story” Journal to the first 100 people who sign up from today onwards. You could call it my birthday gift to you!!
Join addVentures Academy today, to receive YOUR FREE gift!!
Yes, I know you might not need any additional help as an entrepreneur, but we do need to get your story, and you could help to improve someone else’s story in the process. Your gift to the world. You might also be asked to share your story on our Expedition Business Podcast.
