The story of our heart

We study degrees. Get engaged. Get married. Go to school. Find a religion. Have children. Buy a car. Open bank accounts. Invest money. Buy houses. Get jobs. Change jobs.

I have done many things in my life. Not good nor bad. Not right nor wrong. I just did them. Lately I wonder out loud why I do what I do.

I have done a lot because it was the cultural, had religious approval or met my family's expectations. I supposedly 'pleased' them (them we refer to when we are not too sure who). The truth however is that none of those 'them's' are pleased. They are all on their own life journey.

I realize that finding freedom has to start with finding the 'I' within me. Who am I? What do I want in life? What do I want from life?

This might all sound very selfish. It might be selfish, but life is too short to only go through the motions without stopping from time to time to questions the why's and what's in life.

The fear of change and the comfort of what I have hold me back.

I am trying to slow down to hear the story that is unfolding in my heart. What is the unfolding story in your heart?

Our hearts are not evil of deceitful. Our hearts are the place where we connect more and deeper with the meaning of life - YWH.

Our stories should not be about meeting other people's expectations, but they need to be about us being us. It needs to be about playing - (we should play more) - fulfilling our part in the bigger story of the universe. It doesn't have to be grande for the world, but it needs to be deep and real for our hearts. It needs to unlock passions and bring life.

My story in search of freedom is only just starting.

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Where do you start fundraising?

Finding investors for you next world changing idea is not easy. Yes we have all heard the story of the guy doing a fundraising round in Silicon Valley and getting 50 Million dollars in 1 session That story leaves out the hard work that was put in the fundraising project in the years beforehand.

We never hear the stories of the businesses which failed to raise any money - because you guessed it right: They failed. Nobody likes a failing story.

So where do you start?

Firstly: Put your own neck on the line. Don't expect other people to invest in your business if you are not willing to put everything in it.

I don't like this. I like having a safety net. But the truth is that if you are not willing to put everything in you clearly aren't too sure this is going to work.

Secondly: 3 F's - Family, friends and fools

You should go and ask your family and friends for money. Most of your friends and family will love your startup idea. Until you ask them for money. You will clearly see if they still think it's such a great idea.

Beware however with loaning money from friends and family. Make sure if your business fails you find a way to pay the money back. There is nothing worse than going to the next Christmas meal and feel nothing but dislike.

These investments will probably be smallish, but they hopefully get you going.

Thirdly: Angels

Angels are people who have extra cash and are looking to invest in businesses. Angels are investing their own money so they can be very hands on. Often angels bring more than just money to the table - contact, experience... Before you go and approach a angel group know what they are about. Don't go with a oil drilling project to an angel group which specialize in green energy investments. You will look like a fool.

Angels might invest substantial amount. Anything from 250000$ to 1.5mil. $.

Fourthly: Venture capital

These guys will probably only come in at a later stage and come in with large amounts of money. They use other people's money.

Funding can be anything from 1mil $ to 10's of Millions.

My one word of advice: Remember to be wise in bringing other people's money on board. Most people want something back. Make sure you get a good deal and you give your investors a good deal.

Also follow you gut.

Good luck in growing your baby.

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What is a fair salary?

I started two businesses in the past seven months. I employ seven people. These people depend on my businesses to feed their families. In African terms this means that 70 people depend approximately on my businesses. A big responsibility.

Deciding on a salary has been a real challenge. My social side wants to pay as much as possible, but my entrepreneurial side wants to pay as lot less to keep costs down.

Is paying the minimum wage enough? Legally it is, but is paying the minimum wage right?

I pay my staff R200 per day which is about 60% over the minimum wage. I want to pay them more, but the cash flow of the business doesn't allow this atm (or maybe these are just excuses?!?!). I make sure my staff can do one day a week overtime so they can bring their total earnings to just over R5000 a month.

A good friend of mine posted a link to http://living-wage.co.za/ - twitter: @code4sa

These guys build a basic calculator to work out how much we should pay our domestic workers in South Africa.

I followed their guideline by giving my staff R5000 per month in possible earnings. I don't know if this enough.

I find this an interesting topic and something to think about for everyone who employs somebody. I don't have the answers just more questions.

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