{"id":2848,"date":"2025-07-11T15:45:39","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T13:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/?p=2848"},"modified":"2025-07-22T12:01:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T10:01:06","slug":"entrepreneur-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/entrepreneur-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Entrepreneur Success: Create A Thriving Startup With These Business Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<p>Entrepreneur success is the dream. Sadly, despite having a great product, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/web-hosting-south-africa\">reliable website hosting<\/a> and even a strong digital strategy, only 5-10% of new startups make it past the five to ten year point. Why are some just luckier than others?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you read the stories of successful South African entrepreneurs like Mahlatse Mamaila, Arlene Mulder, Aisha Pandor, Vusi Thembekwayo and Ryan Bacher, it&#8217;s clear to see that there is no luck involved. Their thriving startups have all been preceded by a series of failed attempts and countless setbacks. But they learned the lessons and prevailed. And that&#8217;s the key!<br><br>Today, aspiring SA entrepreneurs have access to expert books, podcasts, talks, and courses packed with business tips to prevent the most common pitfalls. In this blog, we highlight some of the basic, yet fundamental tips to help you create a solid foundation for your own entrepreneurial success story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/culture-of-entrepreneurship\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - Cultivating a Culture of Entrepreneurship in South Africa\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Cultivating a Culture of Entrepreneurship in South Africa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cultivating a Culture of Entrepreneurship in South Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways\">KEY TAKEAWAYS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Entrepreneur success requires you to adopt a resilient mindset.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Start lean and build strong foundations<\/strong><strong> <\/strong>before upscaling your business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Know your customers deeply<\/strong><strong> <\/strong>through research and not just guesses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Create strong online brand awareness <\/strong>through digital marketing and SEO.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Master your finances<\/strong><strong> <\/strong>to avoid cashflow issues and price for profit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deliver exceptional customer service<\/strong><strong> <\/strong>to build loyalty and trust.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep learning and networking<\/strong><strong> <\/strong>to stay inspired and competitive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h4>TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/h4><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#key-takeaways\">KEY TAKEAWAYS<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#adopt-the-mindset-of-a-successful-entrepreneur\">Adopt The Mindset Of A Successful Entrepreneur<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#1-yes-its-doable\">1. &#8220;Yes! it&#8217;s doable!&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#2-lets-solve-it\">2. &#8220;Let&#8217;s solve it.&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#3-rome-wasnt-built-in-a-day\">3. &#8220;Rome wasn&#8217;t built in a day.&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#4-fear-in-business-isnt-always-real\">4. &#8220;Fear in business isn&#8217;t always real.&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5-boredom-means-i-need-to-reconnect-not-give-up\">5. &#8220;Boredom means I need to reconnect, not give up.&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#6-its-make-it-or-break-it\">6. &#8220;It&#8217;s make it or break it.&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#7-i-am-not-my-business\">7. &#8220;I am not my business.&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#8-setbacks-are-opportunities-in-the-making\">8. &#8220;Setbacks are opportunities in the making.&#8221;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#entrepreneur-success-10-foundational-actions-to-pave-the-way\">\u00a0Entrepreneur Success: 10 Foundational Actions To Pave The Way<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#1-develop-the-what\">1. Develop the &#8220;What?&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#2-work-on-the-why\">2. Work on the &#8220;Why?&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#3-understand-your-customers\">3. Understand your customers<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#4-start-lean-and-upscale-wisely\">4. Start lean and upscale wisely<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5-invest-in-your-branding-online\">5. Invest in your branding online<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#6-improve-your-financial-literacy\">6. Improve your financial literacy<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#7-embrace-technology\">7. Embrace technology<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#8-make-customer-service-your-priority\">8. Make customer service your priority<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#9-network-and-collaborate\">9. Network and collaborate<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#10-invest-in-yourself\">10. Invest in yourself<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#faqs\">FAQS<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#other-blogs-of-interest\">Other Blogs Of Interest<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"211\" src=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-02.webp\" alt=\"Strip Banner Text - Understand what your ideal customers want, so you can provide them with what they need. Blog: Entrepreneur Success: Create A Thriving Startup With These Business Tips\" class=\"wp-image-2857\" title=\"Understand what your ideal customers want, so you can provide them with what they need\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-02.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-02-300x66.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-02-768x169.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"adopt-the-mindset-of-a-successful-entrepreneur\">Adopt The Mindset Of A Successful Entrepreneur<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Becoming a successful entrepreneur is almost impossible if you don&#8217;t have the attitude and habits to get you there. This will help you seize opportunities quickly, adjust when necessary and dust yourself off after setbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Work on developing some of the below mindsets to improve your chances of making it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-yes-its-doable\">1. &#8220;Yes! it&#8217;s doable!&#8221;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Everything changes, and that can happen literally \u2018overnight, and your SME business needs to be able to be flexible and change accordingly. Just staying in one field and perfecting it will only bring you so far. If your customers are looking for something that you are not offering, then find it and offer it! Learn how it works and bring in the qualified manpower that you can afford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deepen this perspective by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Practicing daily optimism by aligning your heart and mind toward achievable goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reading case studies of businesses that were able to adapt &amp; change successfully.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learning to say \u201cyes\u201d and figuring it out along the way (within reason of course).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-lets-solve-it\">2. &#8220;Let&#8217;s solve it.&#8221;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Problems are everywhere. Your customers have them. Your employees too. Learn to be resourceful by solving your customers\u2019 problems with products and solutions and your employees\u2019 dilemmas with out-of-the-box thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deepen this perspective by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Asking for feedback (negative &amp; positive) regularly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brainstorming solutions on a weekly basis, not just during a crisis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rewarding problem-solving within your team.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-rome-wasnt-built-in-a-day\">3. &#8220;Rome wasn&#8217;t built in a day.&#8221;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>So many entrepreneurs are so eager to make it that they \u2018jump the gun\u2019. Having the patience to wait before you move into an office, hire help, or pay yourself a higher salary are the things that will keep your business lean and give you the confidence, and cash, to seize opportunities when the time is right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deepen this perspective by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Being vigilant and taking the time to tack every cent you spend and receive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delaying upgrades until there is consistent revenue flow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Celebrating progress, not just the results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-fear-in-business-isnt-always-real\">4. &#8220;Fear in business isn&#8217;t always real.&#8221;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Although it feels very real, fear in business is just your brain&#8217;s response to perceived danger or uncertainty. Often, there is no real threat. If a business fear is keeping you from stepping up, learn to face it by moving through the fear. Whatever is standing between you and success \u2013 fear of failure, competition, money problems, decision-making, imposter syndrome, etc. \u2013 rip off the band aid!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deepen this perspective by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Practicing mindfulness to manage anxiety and release it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breaking large fears into small, doable actions to work through it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Journalling the moments when you were able to push through the fear.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-boredom-means-i-need-to-reconnect-not-give-up\">5. &#8220;Boredom means I need to reconnect, not give up.&#8221;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s nothing quite as motivating as those initial months of starting and growing your small business or startup. But then the consistency and daily grind, until the next \u2018break comes, can feel slightly underwhelming. Does it mean you should sell, or close your business and move on to the next idea?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No! It just means you&#8217;ve lost some momentum and need to mentally reconnect with your heart\u2019s vision again. Any startup&#8217;s biggest breakthroughs will still lie ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deepen this perspective by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Revisiting your vision on a monthly basis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Setting quarterly goals to keep things fresh and current.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learning new things to reignite your innovation and creativity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Taking a holiday or going on a day\u2019s retreat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-its-make-it-or-break-it\">6. &#8220;It&#8217;s make it or break it.&#8221;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The Plan B mindset is why many great startups can fail. It&#8217;s the &#8220;if this doesn&#8217;t work out, then I&#8217;ll do &#8230;&#8221; kind of thinking that dissolves the passion and holds you back from fully committing. If you truly want to make it, you have to want to make it at all costs. Now that&#8217;s powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deepen this perspective by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Creating a vision board for goal setting reminders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stop saying \u201cIF this works\u201d and start saying \u201cWHEN this works\u201d.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and your business.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-i-am-not-my-business\">7. &#8220;I am not my business.&#8221;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Businesses can have great months, followed by a series of not-so-great ones, this is a natural ebb and flow of life. If your identity and happiness are tied too closely into your business&#8217;s performance, it can wreck your mental health. Learning to detach is one of the best habits that you can develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deepen this perspective by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maintaining a hobby outside of work and sticking to it as best you can.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Celebrating your \u2018wins\u2019 in life, not just those in your business.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seeing business as a tool and not as your whole identity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-setbacks-are-opportunities-in-the-making\">8. &#8220;Setbacks are opportunities in the making.&#8221;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If it was easy to be an entrepreneur, everyone would be one. But \u2018easy\u2019 isn&#8217;t necessarily how it goes and why many people work for them instead. If you want to achieve business success, you&#8217;ll need to be able have the internal and external resources to bounce back if you hit a wall. Every setback is an opportunity to become better, smarter and stronger as a person and as a business. If you can learn to see it that way, you&#8217;ve got what many people don&#8217;t have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Deepen this perspective by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Debriefing and documenting every failure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seeking advice from others who failed and bounced back.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Staying humble and staying hungry to learn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/start-your-own-business\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - Become A Boss: What It Takes to Start Your Own Business\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Become A Boss: What It Takes to Start Your Own Business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Become A Boss: What It Takes to Start Your Own Business<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"211\" src=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-03.webp\" alt=\"Strip Banner Text - Grow with confidence by making budgets, cashflow and taxes your speciality.\" class=\"wp-image-2858\" title=\"Grow with confidence by making budgets, cashflow and taxes your speciality\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-03.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-03-300x66.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-03-768x169.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"entrepreneur-success-10-foundational-actions-to-pave-the-way\">Entrepreneur Success: 10 Foundational Actions To Pave The Way<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s nice to think about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/how-to-start-a-small-business\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - From Dreaming To Doing: How To Start A Small Business This Holiday (5 Steps)\" title=\"Domains.co.za - From Dreaming To Doing: How To Start A Small Business This Holiday (5 Steps)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">starting a business<\/a>, and dream about what it can be, but you won&#8217;t get anywhere if you don&#8217;t roll up your sleeves and make progress. These are some of the critical actions that can set up your startup for success:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-develop-the-what\">1. Develop the &#8220;What?&#8221;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>You need to sell something people need and want. It needs to solve problems and it needs to be of excellent quality, because if it doesn&#8217;t have these prerequisites, what would be the point? Think about what you can do to make your solution different and give it a &#8216;wow&#8217; factor. Use Google Trends, Reddit threads, and your competitors&#8217; customer reviews to find recurring customer pain points that you can address. Work hard on this because that&#8217;s what will make your idea easier to sell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-work-on-the-why\">2. Work on the &#8220;Why?&#8221;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Build a vision that&#8217;s bigger than yourself, your passion or the product you sell. There has to be a reason behind all the &#8216;madness&#8217;. Something that drives you beyond just purely being your own boss and getting paid for it. You&#8217;ll need to dig down deep but once you have this BIGGER PICTURE, it will be the what motivates you to look beyond any challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-understand-your-customers\">3. Understand your customers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you making \u2018educated guesses\u2019 as to what your customers want? Stop. This approach will fail miserably; you have to KNOW. The only way to understand customer needs is by doing in-depth market research, conducting surveys, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/sme-target-market\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - SME Target Market: 5 Steps To Identifying Your Ideal Audience\" title=\"Domains.co.za - SME Target Market: 5 Steps To Identifying Your Ideal Audience\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SME Target Market: 5 Steps To Identifying Your Ideal Audience<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-start-lean-and-upscale-wisely\">4. Start lean and upscale wisely<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to be an entrepreneur because it \u2018looks good\u2019, then good luck. The initial stages of entrepreneurship are less about suits and sports cars and more about hard work and late nights. Keep your day job if you can, work from home and keep initial costs as low as possible for as long as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-invest-in-your-branding-online\">5. Invest in your branding online<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/brand-building-strategies\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - Brand Building Strategies For Small Businesses &amp; Startups\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Brand Building Strategies For Small Businesses &amp; Startups\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Building a great, professional brand image<\/a> is non-negotiable. No startup has a large marketing budget but you can try to be resourceful by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Investing in a strong website with a relevant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/domain-registration\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za - Register Domains\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Register Domains\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Domain Name<\/a> and fast, reliable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/wordpress-hosting\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za - WordPress Hosting\" title=\"Domains.co.za - WordPress Hosting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress Hosting<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implementing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/top-on-page-seo-factors-for-a-website\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - Top On-page SEO Factors to Include when Building your Website\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Top On-page SEO Factors to Include when Building your Website\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">on-page Search Engine Optimisation<\/a> to drive organic traffic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Posting good, engaging content on relevant social media platforms to build brand awareness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Building an email subscriber base and sending email marketing campaigns regularly. &nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>With the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, you can perform many of these tasks yourself in the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BONUS READ<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/social-media-for-startups-in-south-africa\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - Social Media: Tips for Startups &amp; Small Businesses in South Africa\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Social Media: Tips for Startups &amp; Small Businesses in South Africa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Social Media: Tips for Startups &amp; Small Businesses in South Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-improve-your-financial-literacy\">6. Improve your financial literacy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Many startups fail because of poor financial management. Don&#8217;t leave the know-how to your accountant or bookkeeper alone; become a financial fundi yourself. Understand all the ins and outs of cashflow, budgeting, pricing, and taxes including how to calculate your break-even point and price for profit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-embrace-technology\">7. Embrace technology<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Entrepreneurs back in the day didn&#8217;t have all the technology that we have these days. Put it to good use. Use apps and digital platforms to manage sales, stock, payments, marketing, and customer relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/generative-ai-for-your-small-business\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - Leveraging Generative AI for your small business: Uses &amp; Benefits\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Leveraging Generative AI for your small business: Uses &amp; Benefits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Leveraging Generative AI For Your Small Business: Uses &amp; Benefits<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-make-customer-service-your-priority\">8. Make customer service your priority<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>People are tired of &#8216;sucky&#8217; service and they are verbal about it. They are writing poor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/online-customer-reviews\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - The Importance Of Online Customer Reviews For Your SME\" title=\"Domains.co.za - The Importance Of Online Customer Reviews For Your SME\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">customer reviews<\/a> and venting to the public on social platforms. All of which can damage your brand before you&#8217;ve even had a chance. Build your business on incredible customer service by going that \u2018extra mile\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t hand over your support departments entirely \u2013 stay involved! Great customer service has the power to turn a new customer into one that returns again and again, and that&#8217;s the makings of a successful startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some ideas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Respond to complaints within 24 hours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personalise messages and follow-ups.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surprise loyal customers with discounts or thank-you gifts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-network-and-collaborate\">9. Network and collaborate<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Entrepreneurship can sometimes feel like the loneliest journey in the world. Join local business chambers, networking groups, or online forums to exchange ideas and find support. Collaborate with other startups to share costs, combine audiences, or co-host events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-invest-in-yourself\">10. Invest in yourself<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>As an entrepreneur and business leader all eyes are on you. You need to be the one coming up with fresh ideas and the one to steer the ship through volatile markets and consumer changes. The only way to stay ahead is by ensuring that you never fall behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Never stop learning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/TED_(conference)\" alt=\"Link to Wikipedia - TED - Conference &amp; Talks\" title=\"Wikipedia - TED - Conference &amp; Talks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TED Talks<\/a> or business YouTube channels weekly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read one business book per month.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Join mastermind groups or online workshops.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seek out a mentor to guide you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/domain-reseller\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za - Reseller - Domains\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Reseller - Domains\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"211\" src=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-04.webp\" alt=\"Strip Banner Text - Invest in your brand's visibility online to build trust and attract leads. [Get the domain]\" title=\"Invest in your brand's visibility online to build trust and attract leads\" class=\"wp-image-2855\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-04.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-04-300x66.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/entrepreneur-success-tips-04-768x169.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"faqs\">FAQS<\/h4>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1752238198146\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">How do I know if my business idea is good?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Test it! Do market research, talk to potential customers, build a minimum viable product (MVP), and gather real feedback.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1752238211996\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is it okay to start a business while working full-time?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. Many successful entrepreneurs started their SME as a side hustle. Just manage your time and avoid burnout.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1752238212794\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">What if I fail?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Then you\u2019ve learned. Most successful entrepreneurs failed at least once. Use what didn\u2019t work to build what will.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1752238213518\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">What are the 5 Cs of an entrepreneur?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The 5 Cs are: Commitment, Confidence<strong>, <\/strong>Creativity, Communication<strong>,<\/strong> and Critical Thinking. You\u2019ll need all five to stay focused, bounce back, lead well, solve problems, and keep innovating.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1752238214796\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is the trick to entrepreneur success?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>There\u2019s no magic trick \u2014 just <strong>consistency, clarity, and courage<\/strong>. Stay connected to your \u2018why\u2019, keep showing up (even when it\u2019s hard), and adapt fast. That\u2019s what sets the successful ones apart.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1752238215642\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">What are the top qualities of a successful entrepreneur?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The best entrepreneurs are resilient, resourceful, visionary, disciplined, and customer-focused. They stay hungry to learn, solve problems with purpose, and keep moving forward \u2014 even after a flop.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"other-blogs-of-interest\">Other Blogs Of Interest<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/best-domain-name\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - How To Choose The Best Domain Name: 10 Myths &amp; Tips\" title=\"Domains.co.za - How To Choose The Best Domain Name: 10 Myths &amp; Tips\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How To Choose The Best Domain Name: 10 Myths &amp; Tips<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/best-website-builder-in-south-africa\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - Choosing The Best Website Builder In South Africa: 10 Point Checklist\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Choosing The Best Website Builder In South Africa: 10 Point Checklist\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Choosing The Best Website Builder In South Africa: 10 Point Checklist<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/small-business-finance-saving-tips-for-2025\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - Small Business Finance Saving Tips For 2025\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Small Business Finance Saving Tips For 2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Small Business Finance Saving Tips For 2025<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/domains-products-and-services\/\" alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - Domains.co.za: From Domain Registrations To Web Hosting And Everything In Between\" title=\"Domains.co.za - Domains.co.za: From Domain Registrations To Web Hosting And Everything In Between\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Domains.co.za: From Domain Registrations To Web Hosting And Everything In Between<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a alt=\"Link to Domains.co.za Blog - 4 Small Business Trends For 2025\" title=\"Domains.co.za - 4 Small Business Trends For 2025\" href=\"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/small-business-trends-for-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4 Small Business Trends For 2025<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Entrepreneur success is the dream. Sadly, despite having a great product, reliable website hosting and even a strong digital strategy, only 5-10% of new startups make it past the five to ten year point. Why are some just luckier than others? When you read the stories of successful South African entrepreneurs like Mahlatse Mamaila, Arlene Mulder, Aisha Pandor, Vusi Thembekwayo and Ryan Bacher, it&#8217;s clear to see that there is no luck involved. Their thriving startups have all been preceded by a series of failed attempts and countless setbacks. But they learned the lessons and prevailed. And that&#8217;s the key!Today, aspiring SA entrepreneurs have access to expert books, podcasts, talks, and courses packed with business tips to pre <a alt='Entrepreneur Success: Create A Thriving Startup With These Business Tips' title='Entrepreneur Success: Create A Thriving Startup With These Business Tips' href='https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/entrepreneur-success\/' class='moreElipsis'>[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2856,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1011,1008],"tags":[1826],"class_list":["post-2848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","category-how-to-guides","tag-create-a-thriving-startup"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2848"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3298,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2848\/revisions\/3298"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2856"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.domains.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}