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High honour for fixing Apple devices

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Alex Fourie (Supplied)
Alex Fourie (Supplied)
Cape Town - South Africa made a strong showing on Forbes magazine’s annual 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs In Africa list, with seven local entrepreneurs making the cut.

One of them is Alex Fourie, who founded iFix in 2007. The company fixes Apple devices.

Fin24 found out more about his journey as an entrepreneur.    

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm a 27 year old entrepreneur. I like taking crazy ideas and making them happen.

I also love surfing and life in general.

How did you start the business?

I started iFix while at university. My iPod broke and after being told to throw it away, I rather fixed it myself. This led to more and more people asking me to fix their devices.

Eventually, after placing an ad in a local publication and getting a lot of calls, I realised I might have a business here.

I started RiCharge in 2011, after seeing the need for public cellphone charging facilities.

The key thing, though, is that, with both business, I saw a need and acted on it. Acting on it is at all times the key to making something work compared to not work.

What were the challenges?

I believe there are challenges in every business every day. If there were not legislative issues, then there were issues with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).

However, I also believe that those challenges are set there by the universe for you to prove that you really want to make it work.

If it was easy, nearly everybody would have their own business.

What is the recipe for success?

Five parts passion, ten parts endurance and one part not taking yourself too seriously. O yes, "and add a pinch of salt".

What advice would you have for entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs?

Go out there and do it. There are so many opportunities everywhere. It makes me excited just thinking about it.

Go out and do something you are passionate about. Don't do something for money.

Do something for yourself, do something, anything you believe in and make sure you do it well.

What are your future plans?

I've still have a "hengse lot of skop" in me, so I'm keen to carry on making cool stuff happen.

I've got a lot of ideas which I am currently working on. They are quite big and I am excited about them.

Furthermore, I want to carry on working with people, help others to find their passion and see them reach their true potential.

What are the challenges for young entrepreneurs in Africa?

I think the opportunities in Africa far outweigh the challenges.

I've spent a lot of time in China. I've seen how restricted those people live and how good we have it here.

Sure, there are issues like red-tape, but the opportunities are tremendous.

Once again, remember the core mantra: Do something awesome. The rest will sort itself out.

Any other comments?

Yes. Get outdoors more and smile more. Go out and do something for somebody else.

It'll make you feel awesome. I guarantee it.

Watch our IN STUDIO interview with Alex:



- Fin24

* Share your experience of setting up a business or simply ask a question. Our business panel can put you on the right path.

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