My career as an entrepreneur started when I was 17 with the founding of my first business called Enigma Mobile Discotheques (Pty) Ltd in Johannesburg, South Africa. I had been working for another 'Disco' company from the age of 16, and realised at that early age, that I wanted to be independent, rather than reliant on others for my destiny by being an employee. Enigma was a part time job, because the responsible thing to do back then was to have a stable salaried position. I worked full 8 hour days in my 'stable' role and three days a week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) in my own business. I made more money in a week in my own business than I did in a month in my secure stable job. But I had to make it happen, there was nobody to do it for me.Over the years I have founded other businesses, not all of them were successful, but all of them prepared me for constantly improving strategies and figuring out what simply did not work. I have also been an employee in both junior and senior positions. At all times though, I knew that I needed to be the master of my own destiny, and it has remained a core strategic focus of mine for 40+ years.The opportunity to purchase EMCS Industries Ltd came at the perfect time. All the valuable lessons and strategic grooming over the years were ready to be applied. EMCS was 60 years old at the time of purchase in 2015. Since 1955 success in antifouling solutions for the marine industry has depended on constantly adapting and innovating, but to really succeed EMCS needed to be equipped and prepared for a new way of doing business.In today’s business environment, it’s all about the relationship, it’s about taking great care of your employees and customers alike. I have been passionately involved in team sport and business my whole life, the similarities of competing in both all centre on the composition of the team and the relationships on and off the field. In a team there cannot be any superstars, everyone has a role to play in the success of the company.One thing that has remained constant over my career is the definition and importance of leadership. I have been in leadership roles, and I have been led. This has helped me understand what I feel are the critical elements of both. Leadership requires us to understand what we are asking of our team members and never asking anyone to do something you have not, or would not do, yourself. Lead by example, hire people better than you, be innovative and care for the people that support you. The rest will take care of itself.