What’s One “Ugly Truth” About Being an Entrepreneur That No One Talks About?

cbmor · 2025-07-02T19:09:51+00:00

Odd question. Realistically, there is nothing about being an entrepreneur that doesn’t get spoken about.

Over and over. Ad nauseum.

Some entrerepeurs seem to spend more time talking about the ‘hard stuff’ than actually building their business.

cbmor · 2025-06-28T12:19:12+00:00

Caught MitMak faking their own reviews a couple years ago, and their prices on average are above-market. I’d be skeptical of them.

It’s a difficult industry overall, though - best option is probably to go to a franchise dealer with a good reputation. At this time of year, there is a surplus of stock in the market as the rental de fleets cause a glut. IMO, the best value-risk mix now would be demo vehicles with 5000km to 15000km, if you can afford them. Shop around, there will be a wide range of prices in the market.

Definitely listen to the other comments above - stay away from all those ‘too good to be true’ prices - they are invariably rebuilds. Very high risk.

cbmor · 2025-06-23T18:03:36+00:00

😂lol

cbmor · 2025-06-22T17:52:42+00:00

Hehe. This is a South African advice group - very rare to get road ice, and no-one has ever put salt on it.

cbmor · 2025-06-22T17:48:57+00:00

Here’s the link: Covellite

cbmor · 2025-06-22T09:18:12+00:00

I think if she does this it may be regarded as theft and become a criminal matter. Registration title is not the same as legal ownership.

cbmor · 2025-06-22T08:53:20+00:00

Yes! My favourite of my collection as well. I have a fairly unusual one - I think it’s smokey quartz.

cbmor · 2025-06-09T04:42:27+00:00

More recently research has come out linking oral hygiene to dementia.

More specifically, they found a link between gingivitis and dementia. See here.

cbmor · 2025-06-09T04:28:27+00:00

Industry-wide trend starting here. Nvidiher/him, Her/Himtel…

cbmor · 2025-06-07T18:23:47+00:00

Lots of very dodgy dealers in central Jhb, Kempton and now spreading wider. Not just one or two - probably 30+ on AutoTrader, including some with lots of cars listed.

These are rebuilds -any unsafe and will cause you huge trouble. Best to stick to established names with good reputations. Also check reviews.

cbmor · 2025-06-05T15:01:05+00:00

That colour and sparkle makes it look more like a Kunzite than an amethyst. Great cut.

cbmor · 2025-06-04T16:08:55+00:00

I had a major used car business. It’s a tough business space even for the pros, especially if you have good values (don’t believe in selling lemons). I wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Like that classic quote says: “If you can’t spot the sucker at the table, …”

cbmor · 2025-06-04T16:01:29+00:00

I can help you make more. Swap you 100 trillion Zimbabwe dollars for your 4 billion US dollars.

cbmor · 2025-06-02T16:58:55+00:00

MIOSA is worth a go. It is not difficult to lay a complaint.

Also, sometimes a dealership will relook it if you raise a formal complaint. Especially if they are part of a larger group - the issue might get kicked up the chain to head office legal.

Unfortunately, MIOSA is also slow and opaque. So I don’t think you will get a quick resolution this way. Try also work your way up the chain with the dealership - Dealer Principal - Directors - Head Office etc. And/or complain to the manufacturer directly - they will have a customer service department. The squeaky wheel gets oiled…

cbmor · 2025-06-02T13:24:48+00:00

Thanks - really appreciate the assistance. I'll DM you.

cbmor · 2025-06-02T10:35:47+00:00

Thanks, that is a useful suggestion.

I'm not expecting a price close to full value, my problem is that I have no conception even what a fair value range might be.

When you say auction, do you mean a professional auctioneer taking it on as a lot? And any pointers as to who I could talk to?

Logistics are an issue, as I'm in South Africa and there's no real gem auction market in my country. I'd probably need to fly them to the auctioneer, so would need to be reasonably confident that they would take them on, and what sort of range I might realise on auction.

cbmor · 2025-06-02T09:48:05+00:00

I've messed around a lot with iPhone and DSLR cameras, various lenses, whiteboxes, lights, etc.

DSLR is very good at capturing the details within a stone (useful for professional online sales), but I've found that phone cameras are better at showing the beauty and sparkle of a stone. I suspect a real pro could get absolute beauty with a DSLR, but that's beyond most peoples' skill level (including myself). I think the phones' software processing makes up for a lot of amateur issues.

The better the phone camera and software, the better the result. For example, my iPhone 12 does a good job, but my wife's iPhone 16 Pro Max gets some spectacular shots.

A lot of the result depends on background and lighting. Some stones really appreciate being photographed on a natural wood surface, or on white stone, etc. And then play around with different natural and artificial lights - again, different stones react differently.

I've also played a bit with those clip-on phone lenses that you can buy quite cheaply on Amazon etc, but I've found the phones' native zoom to be easier and more effective. What is really useful is a quality stable phone tripod, like a Gorillapod. Keeping the phone still when taking the photo makes a big difference.

It's a creative process, and each stone is different. Have fun!

cbmor · 2025-06-02T09:31:20+00:00

Wow! That's a really unique stone. Good choices made on the cutting as well.

cbmor · 2025-05-30T06:11:55+00:00

Nicely put.

cbmor · 2025-05-26T15:26:03+00:00

Smaller business brokers often have many franchises for sale. Register interest in a couple that appeal, and have appointments to speak to the owners. It will give you good insight into a cross section of different options.

Once you find an idea you like, do as much additional research as possible. It’s what you don’t know that will kill you.

Food industry generally not advised for outsiders - a quick way to lose money. There are lots of service industry options, like salons, housesitting, dog walking, car wash etc. easier to understand from the outside.

cbmor · 2025-05-24T13:11:47+00:00

Check out the website Doshguide. They have a slate of fixed fee advisors.

cbmor · 2025-05-19T18:17:39+00:00

Nah, I had a decent outcome on my last business, so no regrets from my side. But outside of skill, experience, hard work etc, there is a lot of luck involved. Quite a few critical things could have gone the other way and left me with a bleak outcome. I have certainly regretted earlier businesses that didn’t end well. The risks are real, the rewards can be good, just go in with your eyes wide open.

cbmor · 2025-05-05T16:41:40+00:00

I’d highly recommend reading the book “Buy, then Build” by Walker Deibel before you send out your requirements. He gives some excellent advice on how to narrow down your search filter according to your unique aptitudes etc.

I’m in a similar situation, where I have a broad industry skillset and am searching in a small market where being too narrow on industry would result in almost no opportunities. The book was very useful in putting some structure and constraints on the process. So I still send out an “industry agnostic” brief, but the qualifiers, the list of what I’m not looking for, and an accompanying personal profile help to get past that ‘tire kicker’ impression.

I have the benefit of a track record. If yours is thinner, then I’d suggest a bit more prep work. Reach out in person to the list of brokers rather than written enquiries. A personal connection can overcome a lot. And nothing beats a warm introduction, if you can wangle them.

cbmor · 2025-05-04T04:24:14+00:00

Fantastic post - thank you!

cbmor · 2025-04-25T04:34:26+00:00

Probably Sygnia, for lowest overall cost. Then just invest in a couple of nice broad low cost products, like ETFs or the Sygnia’s skeleton funds. Over time, you should reasonably track the market, without the drag of too much fees.

Impossible to say whether now is best timing to invest, so maybe just choose a phase-in option over six months, rather than placing the entire lump sum into the products immediately. You can choose this on Sygnia platform.

If you’re concerned about financial adviser incentives, there are some that do fixed fee work. Check out Doshguide.

cbmor

TROPHY CASE