From a dream to an award-winning business

 People playing big  4 Responses »
Mar 162013
 
the1bigthing.com

Up close and personal with Africa’s wildlife on a guided game drive

This week’s interview is special. If you’ve ever visited South Africa you know how much the country has to offer. I remember dreaming of becoming a park ranger on one of my visits there.

Well the formidable didn’t stop at the dreaming stage. She actually took the decision to make it happen, and she did! Her achievements in the past 10 years are remarkable. It goes to show that when we dream big and when we play big we make big things happen.

 

Jeanette Vockerodt

Jeanette Vockerodt

What was your BIG thing?

To share my love for South Africa, its wildlife, nature and its people with the rest of the world.

Tell us about your moment of truth.

In 2000 left South Africa and moved to London for a few months. On my return flight back the South African flag burned in my heart. I longed to share my passion and love for South Africa with the rest of the world. Without me knowing it, the seed of my own safari and tour operating company was sown and a dream was being birthed.

How did it feel?

I was under no illusions that this dream would take hard work and dedication but I was up for the challenge. Even though I did not have money saved up to invest in my new business venture I knew I would make it happen.

What was the hardest thing about following through?

The hardest thing was to commit to building a good and strong foundation for my business even though this would take a lot of time. The first step was to become a qualified wildlife/tourist guide, which took four years of part-time study while working full-time.

Balancing my day job with getting Imvelaphi Safaris off the ground took hard work and dedication. In 2006 I registered my company, Imvelaphi Safaris. I took small but purposeful steps, until in 2007 I took that final leap and resigned from my full-time employment to forge ahead with Imvelaphi Safaris.

It is no small feat to be an emerging entrepreneur and to break through the South African Tourism Industry. With no financial backup or family support I sold my cycling equipment in order to start funding Imvelaphi Safaris. (I used to be Road & Track Cycling Champion but had decided to stop pursuing this career as it was not bringing in any income).

Even though this was the most difficult time of my life it taught me discipline, commitment, perseverance and that after every uphill there’s a downhill - to never quit!

I was determined to avoid the typical ‘get a job and work from 8 to 5.’ I tried it, got the T-Shirt but it did not work for me.

It has taken years of hard work to build a business with a good reputation that clients know they can depend on. My passion helped me stick to my commitment and persevere until I started to see the fruit of a successful businessStanding my ground in a very competitive industry as also meant that I have had to set my own course for Imvelaphi Safaris. As a woman, I have had to be strong, yet never lose my feminine touch in delivering personalized tourism services.

What helped you overcome this?

Well, I’ve always been a person who will go out there and find a way to do things when I get told I cannot do it. As the saying goes,

your true potential is outside your comfort zone.

I had enough of dead-end jobs, of thinking small and playing it safe. I had enough of being the kind of person who spends most of her time doing a job she hates. I was going to do things my way. This decision helped me stay focused and keep working on turning Imvelaphi Safaris into a successful business.

I wrote down my vision for my business and have let it guide me and my actions ever since. My vision is for Imvelaphi Safaris to be a leading tour operator for Port Elizabeth, the Eastern Cape and South Africa. To show clients things they have never seen before. To give them a sense of belonging and make sure they have the time of their life on their South African Safari.

What was the best bit about making this happen?

The day I resigned from my full-time employment forced me to take my vision seriously and make it stick. Creating something out of nothing, paving the way for Imvelaphi Safaris having only a vision to work with was scary but also very exciting.

What was a surprising outcome?

Here are some of the awards I’ve won since I started working in the Tourism Field.

2003- 4th in the Eastern Cape Province for Best Up-and Coming Tourist Guide

2007 - Finalist – Regional Business Achievers Awards; Finalist – Business Person of the Year Awards

2008 - Finalist – Business Person of the Year Awards; Finalist in South Africa – Begin Began Become Entrepreneurial Competition

2009 - Finalist – Regional Business Achievers Awards; Semi-finalist – Best Tour Operator, Welcome Awards

2011 - Winner – Best Tour Operator – Adventure Province Eastern Cape Tourism & Conservation Awards

These awards reassure me that I am doing something right, and that my decision to risk it all paid off.

the1bigthing.com - From a dream to an award winning business

Imvelaphi Safaris Ocean Safari

What advice would you give to others who are yet to start their big thing?

What is keeping you back? Perhaps the fear of failure? What can you lose? Perhaps you have family that you have to support? Turn it around and use it as a motivator to encourage you to get started being a successful entrepreneur and create a better future for you and your family.

Be the best you know how to be! As the name ‘Imvelaphi Safaris’ implies, we know where we come from and we know where we are going. What is your vision? Be confident in what you believe because if you are not, how can you expect people around you to?

If I can provide guests with a world-class service and assist others by sharing what I have learned, then I am helping to grow the future of not only the tourism industry but the business industry and entrepreneurship and that is success indeed.

Next time you visit South Africa, join us on a safari. Let us share our magnificent country with you. Find out more about us here.

 

 

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Do not let your fears choose your destiny

 People playing big  15 Responses »
Mar 082013
 

the1bigthing Do not let your fears choose your destiny

This story gave me goosebumps. There are so many important messages in it, many of which are at the core of what the1bigthing.com is all about. Traci’s parting words are especially inspiring. I know Traci personally and she is one of those people who brings light and laughter wherever she goes. The big lesson I get from this story is that there are many ways to fulfil a dream and every way can be a bit scary. That’s just part of the process.

But enough from me, here’s Tracy’s story in her own wonderful words.

What was your BIG thing?

My most recent BIG thing was to join the theatre and enter the world of stage acting.

What was your moment of truth?

Drama was something I had always held in the back of my mind as something I wanted to tackle ‘one day’. So when I flew down to Cape Town on a whim to watch my good friend in a local theatre production (she had five whole lines!) I felt that the time was right – I was inspired and couldn’t wait any longer. I gave up skydiving, my latest hobby and joined my local community theatre two years ago, at the ripe age of 41.

What was the hardest thing about following through? What helped you overcome this?

My first audition was nerve-racking. I knew absolutely nothing about the process or what to expect. I was handed a script and asked to read with people I’d never met (who themselves were no strangers to the stage) – it was daunting to say the least. I screwed up the lines a few times and felt quite jittery standing on stage with only the director watching and a few people scattered around waiting to audition for the same roles. But no matter how nervous I felt, there was also a sense of excitement. I was finally doing it, this challenge I sought of my own free will, and I was determined to see it through no matter what the outcome. The director must have seen past the nerves because I got the part!

As difficult as the audition was, I would have to say the hardest thing was when the curtain went up on my very first opening night. I thought that my heart would beat right out of my chest while I was waiting for my stage entrance, sneaking a peek at the expectant audience from the wing, saying my lines over and over in my head. Without a doubt I equate the thrill to jumping out of a perfectly serviceable aircraft!

 

the1bigthing - traci in action

That’s Traci on the left. She played one of the Pigeon sisters, Gwendolyn and had to cry quite hysterically in this scene.

What was a surprising outcome?

Needless to say I was quite surprised to score a role at my very first audition. Ok granted, it’s only community theatre and there weren’t hundreds of people beating down the audition door, but still I felt empowered. Equally surprising was the fact that from the outset, the rest of the cast assumed that I was a fairly seasoned actress! Nobody realized that this was my first foray into theatre. It felt good to know that I had at least a hint of talent to build on.

What advice would you give to others who are yet to start their big thing?

My advice is to forget reason and follow your intuition. Whatever you want to try in life, whatever you’d like to accomplish, when the time feels right just take that first baby step towards it and you’re already on your way. I believe that the desires within us are not there merely by chance, but rather they guide us in our life’s purpose so we should listen closely to our hearts… it is an incredible journey when we let go and just do it!

The cast & crew of “The Odd Couple”, a play by Neil Simon performed by the Franklin Players, a community theatre group based in Johannesburg

The cast & crew of “The Odd Couple”, a play by Neil Simon performed by the Franklin Players, a community theatre group based in Johannesburg http://www.franklin.org.za/

 

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From one tough experience to one great idea

 People playing big  2 Responses »
Mar 012013
 
the1bigthing.com

the1bigthing.com

Today’s interview is with Dr. Elizabeth Chabner Thomson. Her story shows us that when we go through a tough experience in life, something great can come out of it. When we focus on how we can use our experience to help others it may just inspire us to make a difference in this world.

Elizabeth Chabner ThomsonWhat was your BIG thing?

I wanted to help women after breast surgery. I am a physician who was also a patient and I could not stand the low standard in surgical bras. The surgeries and radiation treatment for breast cancer have rapidly evolved (in some cases even been revolutionized), however, the garments for patients undergoing radiation therapy and surgery were designed in the 1970s, for patients undergoing surgeries of the past. I wanted to create an alternative, a surgical bra for the modern age of breast treatment.

Tell us about your moment of truth.

I received a letter from a patient that said, “If this surgical bra is meant to help me heal, why does it hurt so much?” I knew that I could make a better more comfortable bra. That’s when I decided to go for it. Armed with needles, scissors and thread I cut and sewed bras together to meet the needs of the 21st century patient.

What was the hardest thing about following through? What helped you overcome this?

A lot of worry with manufacturing and then trying to convince hospital purchasing offices to give a small company a chance. I heard a lot of “no’s”. My husband was my biggest supporter. He told me I could not quit even if I heard “no” 50 times. It gave me the courage and motivation to continue.

What was the best bit about making this happen?

Every time we have a sale, I am so excited. Patients send me thank you notes. It makes all the hard work worth it!

(Karen) Dr. Elizabeth’s business bfflco.com has now expanded to include many other items for people who are undergoing surgery or having a baby. My favourites are the gift-bags you can give someone before they go to hospital - they are full of clever items to make a patients’ stay more comfortable.

What advice would you give to others who are yet to start their big thing?

If you believe in it, you can get there. You need passion and energy and strong constitution for “No”

 

Dr. Elizabeth Chabner Thompson graduated from Johns Hopkins Medical School in 1993, and also obtained a Masters Degree in Public Health from Harvard.

After undergoing prophylactic mastectomies Elizabeth began working in the reconstructive surgery practice, helping other women with the difficult decision-making and recovery from breast surgery.

She set up bfflco.com to provide post surgery accessories for the 21st century patient.

 

 

 

Remembering Steve Jobs

 People playing big  1 Response »
Oct 052011
 

I found out Steve Jobs had passed whilst checking emails on my I Phone this morning. Ironic really.

For most people Steve Jobs’ legacy will live on through the products he brought to the market. I’d like to remember him for something he said instead.

 

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart…..

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

What would YOU do if you lived by these words?

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