How Mentorship Can TurnYour Hustle into a Billion-Dollar Dream
Introduction
Let’s get real—mentorship isn’t just for the already successful. Nope, it’s for that guy in the village who’s still trying to figure out why his chicken farming side hustle isn’t taking off (spoiler: it’s because you have one chicken, my guy). It’s for the woman making the best homemade soap in the village but has no clue how to scale up production. The right mentor will turn that small-time hustle into a full-blown business with employees, benefits, and company retreats to Victoria Falls. Let’s dive into how business mentorship can work wonders for the next generation of African businesspeople, especially in manufacturing.
Strive Masiyiwa: From Cow Herding to Billion-Dollar Herding
Take Strive Masiyiwa, for example. This guy didn’t just wake up one day as a billionaire. No, he started off herding cattle in Zimbabwe. But he had the good sense to listen to mentors who showed him how to take that same tenacity and apply it to the telecoms business. The man went from “Moooo” to “Hello, is this Econet?” faster than you can say “network coverage.” Today, Masiyiwa is a global business leader, but he attributes much of his success to the guidance he received along the way (Masiyiwa, 2022).
Aliko Dangote: The King of Mentorship (and Cement)
And then there’s Aliko Dangote. This guy wasn’t born into wealth. His first big break came from a small loan and a big dose of mentoring from his uncle. The uncle didn’t just give him cash and say, “Good luck.” No, he showed Dangote how to turn that loan into a cement empire. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, Dangote could build a house out of pure cash if he wanted to. But guess what? He’s still mentoring people. Why? Because he knows that Africa needs more manufacturers and fewer hustlers trying to make a quick buck selling fake designer shoes (Dangote, 2021).
Folorunsho Alakija: From Fashion to Manufacturing
Now let’s talk about Folorunsho Alakija. You think it’s easy being one of the richest women in the world? Think again. Before she became a manufacturing mogul, she was a fashion designer. But she didn’t just stay there stitching clothes. She had mentors who showed her how to take her creative skills and apply them to the world of manufacturing. Today, she’s running businesses that make you wonder if she has a twin. Spoiler alert: she doesn’t. She’s just that good, thanks to mentorship (Olajide, 2023).
How Successful People Can Stop Hogging the Knowledge
Now, let’s talk about those who’ve already “made it.” Listen up, folks: if you’re sitting pretty at the top, sipping on your imported coffee, it’s time to share the wealth—of knowledge, that is. We’re not saying you have to take on a dozen mentees and turn your weekends into TED Talks, but how about you start with just one? Take someone under your wing, show them the ropes, and watch as they go from struggling to find funding to owning a factory that employs half the village.
A Final Word: Mentorship is the Real MVP
So here’s the deal: Africa has no shortage of hardworking people, but we do have a shortage of mentors. If we want to see more African-owned manufacturing companies making waves on the global stage, we need to start investing in mentorship. Not just talking about it, but actually doing it. Because when we do, that village boy with one chicken might just become the next CEO of a multibillion-dollar poultry empire. And trust me, that’s a story we all want to be a part of.
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References
Dangote, A. (2021). The Dangote way: Lessons in business and life. Abuja: Nigerian Publishing House.
Masiyiwa, S. (2022). Mentorship matters: My journey from cattle herding to billionaire. Harare: Strive Enterprises.
Olajide, A. (2023). The billionaire blueprint: How African entrepreneurs built empires. Lagos: African Business Press.
