Biz Talk with Athi Diko

02/02/2023

Get R50 OFF your first order to get whatever you're craving from Upendo - Salads, Sandwiches, Juice, Smoothies, Burgers etc.

26/01/2023

Hi, I’m Athi Diko and I’m an entrepreneur. This is not your typical posts asking for a donation; I have a job that I really love and also run a business selling gym wear and food called Upendo.

This year I’ve set myself the goal of becoming a billionaire and looking for your help, whether it’s by financially investing in my business, buying some of our incredible products, donating equipment or by simply sharing this post. Any help is welcomed

Thank you so much.

09/09/2022

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05/09/2022

Take a look at Social Media right now and you’ll probably find lot people complaining that it’s Monday, looking for ways to get motivated this Monday, or totally overwhelmed because it’s Monday. But Mondays aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, so instead of us rejecting the day, we can actually make it the most productive day of the week. That’s what many successful entrepreneurs do—and it seems to be working for them. Here are 5 ways I’ve learned to make Mondays the most productive day of the week:

1. Prioritize like there’s no tomorrow: Without the proper planning and prioritizing, productivity goes out the window. Don’t get blindsided by Monday. Define your priorities and let that help you plan.

2. Plan ahead: When you are running a business, you have to think about what you hope to accomplish each day of the week, and that will dictate how you lay out your plans.

3. Don’t schedule “unplanned” meetings: Meetings can often make people feel more productive, but the truth is, most of them are a complete waste of time. If you find that your team members want to rehash old information or are grasping for random ideas, definitely don’t schedule those meetings for Monday.

4. Give yourself something to look forward to: Positivity goes a long way in terms of motivating yourself. When we’re more motivated, we’re far more productive.

5. Take care of your health: There are actually scientific ways to better your brain and improve its function, which will ultimately make you much more productive. When you’re working long hours, it’s easy to grab a donut and coffee and call that your breakfast.

02/09/2022

As an entrepreneur business, making an active effort to support the entrepreneurial community can be game-changing for your company’s growth, especially in South Africa. After all, these individuals have been through similar experiences and challenges as entrepreneurs themselves, and can often help you navigate them. To gain the support of your fellow entrepreneurs, you have to be willing to give back to them. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are 4 things I’ve learned in my own personal entrepreneurship journey:

1. Join Peer Groups: There are many networking events and entrepreneurial groups intended to build a community for business owners. These groups allow you to relate to others in your industry, learn new things, keep up with the trends.

2. Become A Mentor: I see knowledge as something you can give away endlessly and share to introduce reciprocity. Remember, just because someone else is doing well doesn't mean you are doing worse. When you see an entrepreneur succeed, feel as though it is your own success. There is room enough for everybody.

3. Offer Support Via Social Media: The simplest way for most businesses to support each other right now is via social media and other online channels. Join groups related to your industry and follow people who have interesting blogs, video channels, podcasts and other content. If you engage with and share other people's content, they are likely to return the favour.

4. Hire Them/Outsource some of your business: If you need tax help, don’t go with a major company; choose an independent who is reputable in your area. Need marketing assistance? Use the same strategy. Oftentimes, you’ll receive even better quality of service when going this route, you’ll build a relationship for life and you’ll have a partner in business overall.

01/09/2022

Trusting God With Your Business

Trusting God with your business is easy when everything is going well or according to plan. If I asked you whether you trust God with your business, I’m sure you’d say “yes, of course.” Like you, many Christian entrepreneurs claim they have faith in God when it comes to their business, but their words don’t align with their actions. And, this is true of many Christians, not only business owners. Do you trust God when you’re faced with trials and tribulations? If you really trust God in your business, do you reflect it in your business practices? Is your faith only good as long as God answers your prayers and your business is booming? These are some tough questions to answer, and like some of you, I wrestle with this issue from time to time. Both in my personal life and in business. So if you are going through the same struggle, you’re not alone. If you’re having a hard time trusting God for your business, let me share with you 5 practical ways you can demonstrate your trust in God that have helped me:

1. DON’T MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON FEAR

2. DON’T COMPROMISE YOUR INTEGRITY

3. DON’T QUIT AT THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE

4. STOP WORRYING AND KEEP A PEACEFUL HEART

5. BE FAITHFUL WITH YOUR FINANCES

30/08/2022

Many entrepreneurs are getting lost by putting much emphasis and focus on money. There are things money can buy and there are things money can never buy. Here is a list of top 10 things that money can’t buy:

1. Respect
2. Well-adjusted kids
3. Peace of mind
4. A great idea
5. A long life
6. Common sense
7. A clear conscience
8. Purpose in life
9. Integrity
10. Good friends

29/08/2022

Biggest Challenges for Young Entrepreneurs in South Africa

It's tough for anyone to start out as an entrepreneur building a new business from the ground up in South Africa. Being young at the same time brings a unique set of challenges to the table, ones that older entrepreneurs may not have to deal with. Here are three challenges I’ve faced as a young entrepreneur in South Africa.

1. Financial Issues:
This one is pretty much obvious; the main challenge that all entrepreneurs face is to get their business funded. Older business owners have the advantages of a history of good credit and years of networking under their belt, making it easy to find investors and secure loans and contracts. The younger entrepreneur does not yet have these resources. You may be paying off your student loans, reducing your liquid capital. You don't have a network developed over years, so it may be more difficult to gain the interest of investors. Due to the limited availability of funds, you have less room for error. Make sure you have enough put aside to weather the worst case scenario. And don't assume you will make a profit right away. It can take up to two years before your business is reliably making money.

2. Facing Age Stereotypes:
You might already be aware of the stereotypes people will apply to you as a young entrepreneur. Ironically, you might be called "lazy" or "irresponsible", or not be taken as seriously as someone who is older. While networking, you might come across older professionals who doubt the sustainability and credibility of your business. Don't let the ageism get to you, even though I can attest that it’s really difficult. But you have to behave professionally at all times, eventually you will gain a reputation for maturity and be considered worthy of trust and respect by the older set.

3. Dealing with Stress and Self-Doubt:
Needless to say, starting out as an entrepreneur is a stressful endeavour. Unlike an employee at traditional job, you are directly responsible for making the business profitable. There's no larger company structure to provide a cushion for when things go sour. And in the early days, taking a vacation means taking time away from growing your business. But just because the stakes are higher doesn't mean your stress levels have to be higher too. Do a lot to calm the mind, and it's healthy for the body too. And since you're your own boss, you are free to take a quick jog break whenever you like and adjust your work setting to promote relaxation. If you feel yourself getting discouraged, a powerful motivational tool is to take a look at your list of goals and tasks to do. Realize how the tasks you have assigned for today have a direct result on achieving your goals in the future.

24/08/2022

After years of personal experience and also observing other entrepreneurs in different industries, I’ve discovered that entrepreneurs share THREE qualities that make them successful. Fortunately, all of these qualities can be learned. It is up to you to carefully examine your strengths and dedicate yourself to learning them:

1. Self-Discipline:
The first trait that all successful entrepreneurs must possess is self-discipline. Self-discipline is the single most important quality for success in life and business. If you can discipline yourself to do what you should do, whether you feel like it or not, your success is virtually guaranteed. Self-discipline requires self-mastery, self-control, self-responsibility, and self-direction.

2. Persistence:
The second trait that all successful entrepreneurs must possess is persistence. Persistence is the iron quality of character. Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel. It is an indispensable quality that goes hand in hand with all great success in life.

3. A Clear Sense Of Direction:
The third but not least trait that all successful entrepreneurs must possess is a clear sense of direction. Because of the turbulence and rapid change in today’s marketplace, most business owners have been reduced to operating day-by-day. They are totally preoccupied with short-term problems and the need to get short-term sales and profits. They intend to spend more time thinking and planning for the future, but they don’t ever seem to get around to it. This is not for successful business owners. You need to set clear targets for yourself and for every part of your business. In fact, perhaps your most important responsibility to your people is to give them a clear sense of direction in their work.

23/08/2022

5 small business ideas in South Africa that actually work in 2022:

1. Affiliate marketing Affiliate marketing entails promoting company services and products at a commission. You can do this by enrolling for affiliate marketing positions in online retailer companies such as e-bay and Amazon.

2. Graphic designing Almost every business in South Africa today needs a website. Graphic design entails projecting visual communications to transmit specific messages to social groups. Graphic designers create and customise websites for corporates and other businesses. If you can design creative logos, information sheets, letters, advertisements, newsletters, and magazines, consider turning your skills into an income-generating activity.

3. Offering grocery delivery services is one of the best kasi business ideas today. Many South African city neighbourhoods are made of working-class people who barely have time to go to the market. Therefore, doing grocery shopping for them will enable them access to fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables throughout the week.

4. Blogging Blogging involves writing regularly for an online journal or website. It is a fantastic idea for people who enjoy writing. Once you gain a significant audience, you can monetise your content through Google Adsense or paid adverts.

5. Tax consultancy Every year, companies and businesses must file their tax returns. You can strategise yourself as a tax consultant and earn impressive returns by preparing and filing tax report documents for these businesses.