Sunday, May 10, 2020

Takes a village to raise a child (entrepreneur)


Shakya Lahiru Pathmalal


This article will briefly discuss my entrepreneurial life, its highs and its lows. It will also look at some of the policy changes needed to make entrepreneurial journey easier. What is to be an entrepreneur? I believe entrepreneurs are essentially problem solvers. They see problems that need to be solved (in this context, within a given market) and they set about solving it.

I have lived a few lifetimes before coming to Sri Lanka. I studied and worked, in the US and Australia, in different fields and then ended up in Afghanistan; partly to gain experience in counterterrorism and security studies and partly to prove a point that I could survive in a conflict environment.  When I returned to Sri Lanka I engaged in policy work, and worked at a Presidential election campaign; which we lost. This was my first great encounter with failure and was not going to be my last.



At that point in life, I realized that I needed a change. I wanted to do something in the corporate sphere.  But given my expertise I thought I would not be hired to do a job in the corporate sector. Not a lot of people want to hire someone from a policy and security background. So I ended up setting sights on starting something on my own.

I soon realized that Sri Lankans did not have any real option to buy products on-line. There were a few ventures that did groupon models (coupons being sold), and Kapruka that sold products and services to Sri Lankans abroad. I felt strongly that if I were looking to buy online, there would be others too. Luckily for me I met with Murtaza Moosajee and Dilendra Wimalaseka who were thinking along the same lines; later Kalinga Athulathmudali joined the ranks. The culmination of this thought process led to what is known as Takas.lk.  We embarked on a journey to get the Sri Lankan consumer to buy online. A journey that we are still very much committed to today.

At the time I started takas I was broke. I really had no money and at the same time I wanted to get married.  While we raised money to get takas off the ground there was no real money to live off. I was fortunate enough that Osk, who had quit a lucrative job in the Middle East to come marry me and Deshal who is one of my best friends, subsided by dream and ambition for a good two  years.  Here I learned one of the greatest lessons in life; which is that journeys are best done with a team. We almost always stand on the shoulders of our team members and loved ones to reach greater heights. All what we have achieved to date has been done with the backing and sacrifice of family, team and friends.

Anyone’s entrepreneurial life will have challenges, but perhaps one of the greatest and most common challenges stem from being constantly reminded that what you have embarked on will not pay dividend. One of the main phrases an entrepreneur will hear in their entrepreneurial Lifetime is that ‘it cannot be done’. Not everyone will say it in the same way, and at times his or her comments are well intentioned.  You are however constantly reminded that the odds are not in your favor and that efforts are in vain. Thus, the greatest challenge that an entrepreneur must endure is the challenge of self-belief, when almost everyone around you thinks it just cannot be done. As such, the main challenges that are faced by an entrepreneur are internal. There are times of great highs and times of deep lows in the journey. This is something I have not got use to this date, and still grapple with. I believe this to be a constant journey of self-realization.

Additionally, one of the keys in helping  entrepreneurs is making access to capital markets easier. Sri Lanka is a small market, so having access to both markets (to sell products and services) and capital can be very difficult. The state has to play a role in increasing the market Sri Lankan businesses can access by cutting down red tape where possible and getting access to larger markets (through FTA). This will provide the means for  local businesses to attract capital to grow, from here and abroad. It will also support Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to think and aim larger. Easier access to capital through institutions and state banks for start-ups either through loans or co investing is a must as well.

One of the other main challenges Sri Lankans face is that of mind-set. I believe the state should play a pivotal role in changing Sri Lanka’s antiquated education system to meet the demands of the 21st Century. Our education system is geared towards producing risk adverse professionals who all too often leave these pastures post-free education to the West.This has essentially become Sri Lanka’s aid package to the first world. We should encompass a more holistic approach to education, where children are thought to think independently, embrace change, challenge norms and take risks. This I believe will help us create better and more productive citizens, and even professionals. There has to be concrete measures taken to change the current curriculum in public schools to meet these objectives.

Summing up I would state this. ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. This African proverb means that an entire community of people must interact with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. There is no difference in bringing up world-class entrepreneurs. In such an environment when the odds are never in your favor it takes a village to raise an entrepreneur. With the correct mindset, with help from team members and loved ones and a policy that supports their journey, I believe we can essentially create incredible entrepreneurs who will help take this country forward.



This story was first written for Advocata. The author of this story is the co founder Takas.lk, , current Board Member of the Lankan Angel Network and a former Board Member of Peoples Bank. He can be reached at Pathmalal@gmail.com for comment

31 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Paper provides personalized tutoring in four languages. It offers unlimited support for students in grades six through 12. Paper is available to help me write paper with any subject, in any language, and at any time. They offer personalized, scalable academic support, and they provide an essay review tool. Paper tutors are trained to use inquiry-based methods that help students gain deeper understanding of topics. They also provide feedback on writing and grammar. Students can get help with anything from a math problem to a college application essay. Paper's chat-based tutoring sessions also provide students with a safe, comfortable learning environment.

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. The first and most obvious step for pay for my homework is to develop an outline for your analytical essay. A detailed outline will allow you to effectively organize your ideas and cite relevant sources. This is especially helpful if you are comparing and contrasting two different topics. In addition to a solid outline, you should use a well-defined topic to provide direction to your paper. Once you've established a firm grasp on your subject matter, you'll be ready to write a paper that will make your professor proud.

      Delete
  3. I know a very fun game! Can you play word unscrambler with me?
    I bet you like it too
    Try it right here!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Entrepreneurial Life tells the fascinating history of CaptiveAire, the largest commercial kitchen ventilation company in North America.
    topairguns
    fishingstreet
    momsmartideas

    ReplyDelete
  5. If this article helped you download GTA iii apk for Android, PC, or laptop, bookmark our page and visit more interesting topics every day.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Polyethylene disadvantages is one of the most utilized thermoplastics in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  7. An Electric Motors is an electromechanical machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. In other words, the device that produces the rotational force is known as a motor.

    ReplyDelete
  8. In addition to physical training, brain training is also indispensable for anyone. But, if we can choose to passively train our brains with highly entertaining games, why not give it a try? And Impossible Game is a recommendation of mine! (if you have a better and more useful game, please share it with me! Thanks for that!).

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Falsework consists of temporary structures used in construction to support a permanent structure

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tests and Reviews: All New and Upcoming Cars: Blog around tests and reviews of new and upcoming cars.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks your post is pritty well written, so thats why i recommend you to post this in instagram where a large amount of other users could know about this village. And remember , that you can always buy instagram followers to quickly boost their number.

      Delete
  12. I will set up the whole thing for you with the purpose that you will have the nice pleasure of desirous adoration in an undistributed organic system. My incredible delight is to make my folks fulfilled and upbeat. This has helped me get a huge collection of nice in elegance gentlemen and industrialists as my rehash clients.
    what's app Dehradun girls number
    what's app dehradun girls phone
    phone call Nainital girls
    hot call Haldwani girls number.
    call Ramnagar girls phone number
    call Rudrapur models phone number
    call Rishikesh models phone number

    ReplyDelete
  13. At Click More Stuff - Latest Trendy News you will find the most interesting, beautiful, handy and smart content of modern online life.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you for sharing useful information with us. please keep sharing like this. And if you are searching a unique and Top University in India, Colleges discovery platform, which connects students or working professionals with Universities/colleges, at the same time offering information about colleges, courses, entrance exam details, admission notifications, scholarships, and all related topics. Please visit below links:


    Mahakaushal University in Jabalpur

    YBN University in Ranchi

    Manipal University Jaipur

    Swami Vivekanand University in Sagar

    ReplyDelete
  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

  16. Impressive! I like what you wrote. This is good post will teach you about that will be very useful to you and will make learning
    an 1 | fluid simulation mod apk | emoji craft mod apk 2

    ReplyDelete
  17. Haniem is a comprehensive site that offers services and products on a variety of topics, including entertainment, sports, business, geography, health, and more.

    ReplyDelete
  18. NEPRA approves the LESCO tariff before dictating the tariff to LESCO. LESCO cannot charge any tariff plan to consumers without approval from the government regulating authority (NEPRA) and notification to the government of Pakistan.
    LESCO Tariff GuideWhatsoever tariff is decided by the government, those plans for different price tariffs, LESCO will directly pass those on to NEPRA.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Grosvenor presents a €30 deposit bonus for a 카지노사이트 minimal deposit of €20 for new spanking new|for brand new} players. This energetic bonus has a wagering requirement of 5 times, which does not apply to every sport. If you benefit of|benefit from|reap the advantages of} Grosvenor’s welcome bonus, evaluation the list of video games excluded from this promotion.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Raising a child is an incredibly rewarding experience, but it takes a village to do it. That's why offers a 10% Happiestbaby discount code for new parents and caregivers! This includes baby blankets, onuses, hats and Mitts (winter gear), plus more. Get your code today and start building your happy little family!

    ReplyDelete
  21. A solution for vision improvement called Vision 20 has been developed especially for those whose vision is deteriorating over time. Vision 20

    ReplyDelete
  22. A natural ingredient-based male enhancement product is Tupi tea. It aids in getting stronger, longer-lasting erections. Tupi tea

    ReplyDelete