Ketshephaone Jacob’s Post

When I was growing up, we were continuously told to keep both our wins and failures to ourselves because “batho bata go lowa.” You get accepted into university, get a job you are reminded to keep it to yourself, you fail or drop out of school you are sent to the farm or the village so that you do not become the laughingstock of the community. I fully understand where this notion comes from, but I also often wonder if we were taught from an early age to openly speak about our wins and losses if we would not have developed better strategies at coping and celebrating both, without hanging on to what people will say. I am a firm believer in sharing both the good and the bad, with the hope that our story helps someone else. Working on yourself, building a business or a career is hard, and as you go through it you will encounter many good moments and equally bad moments, you will also be criticized but I’ve learnt that both the wins and the losses are some of the key ingredients that shape a winner. For the last 6 years we at The Bulb World have taken so many L’s, and we are grateful for each and everyone of them as they have given us strength to continue in the journey to fulfilling our goal of building Africa’s biggest lighting brand. Whilst the journey is hard, we would like to take a moment to celebrate the following: ✅we are listed in over five thousand (5000) stores across Africa. ✅we have created both permanent and temporary employment. ✅we have been lighting up households, streets and communities since inception. ✅We have completed over 10 CSR projects since inception. ✅And we have increased our product range to twenty-seven (27) since inception. We could never have achieved any of this if we did not have challenges, support, and the will to keep going. We do not share our stories to brag or to get pity, but to give you the courage to dream, the courage to start, the courage to face challenges, the courage to keep moving and build a legacy. If we do not share our stories both the good and the bad, then our light is not bright enough, we would have failed! Please go out there, face your challenges with a smile, ignore the noise, pray, and work hard for your wins 🙏🏾. Happy New Week!

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You are a true entrepreneur - filled with ambition but also a practical sense of humility that is informed by failure. If you ever need an investment or just a sounding board, reach out to me any time.

Very inspirational...thank you for showing us it's possible

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Bathsheba Mbongwe

Director Research and Partnerships at BITRI

6mo

Good story perspective on acknowledging your successes and challenges . We are proud of the Bulb world footprint. Keep winning.

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I like the “ when I was growing up” line. A lot of us relate to your stories and to see someone who grew up just like us making it, is inspirational. Keep on motivating us. Re a leboga. Modimo a go segofatse

Keletso Thobega

Development Journalist|Writer|Fellow@African Union(AU) Media Fellowship 2.0.

7mo

Great insights. Indeed 'botshelo ga bo ratanelwe,' but there are more positive people than negative. Even the negative folk need a bit of inspiration to cure their pessimism and be inspired to achieve any goals that they might have. Keep up the great work and keep shining😊

Veronica Mphathi ACMA,CGMA,MBA

Co-Founder & CEO - Serala Entrepreneurship College (SEC) • Mental Paradigm Shift • Pan-African Development

7mo

Well done mate, keep rising and weathering the storms. We are insanely proud of you 👏 #UpUpUp

Melaiti o motivational speaker neh.nice one mate

Kaene Disepo

Youth Engagement & Mindset Shift Strategist | Advocate for Renewable Energy & Inclusive Sustainable Development | Thought Leadership Capacity Builder

7mo

Super proud.

Koketso Aabobe

Sales | POS | Project Management | Product Management |

7mo

Like Batho ba tla reng Syndrome. Eish

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