Episode Transcript
[00:00:13] Speaker A: I fall in love a lot.
[00:00:15] Speaker B: Oh, really?
[00:00:15] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:00:16] Speaker B: So now. So to get out of that relationship,
[00:00:19] Speaker A: it will be something else.
I remember there was a time I used to support Barcelona. Oh, there was time there was eto. Okay.
I wouldn't say I was supporting Barcelona. I was supporting it. Okay, so wherever we follow the player.
[00:00:37] Speaker B: I see. I see.
Hello, everybody. Welcome to the Z Education podcast. I'm told that's my mic. Welcome to this episode of the Z Education Podcast. I know that this will air in the month of June and through today is the 31st of May. I hope you have had a lovely month. It's been mental health month and so the next month that is coming, you're going to see some changes to the podcast. My name is Andrew Banda and today I'm joined by a man who comes with many names and hearts.
Some people call you Yakoman Honeyman.
Your husband, Your wife rather should call you Honey, or what does she call you? Call me.
[00:01:25] Speaker A: But she's here. She can answer that one.
[00:01:27] Speaker B: What do you call him? Honey. Yes. So all because of the honey.
What's your favorite title?
[00:01:37] Speaker A: Brighton.
[00:01:38] Speaker B: Just Brighton.
[00:01:39] Speaker A: Just Brighton. Really? Yes.
[00:01:41] Speaker B: Okay. Okay. So Brighton Chifunda.
[00:01:44] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:01:44] Speaker B: Brighton, thank you very much for enjoying this day today and making this trip to come and be part of the education podcast.
I want us to really dive into some things that you believe in.
But before we go into business, cuz everyone that knows you, I think knows you from business.
I know you from music. Of course.
I was wondering if I should call you Commander, cuz, you know.
But, but let's take it, let's take it back.
I want to first hear your education journey Primary.
Can you give us a picture of Brighton's schooling journey? Yes.
[00:02:34] Speaker A: So I grew up in Tatasha. Okay, so right there in T where my house was just a few, I mean just a few houses, about five to six houses. There was a church called Church of Christ.
[00:02:44] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:02:45] Speaker A: So that's why I went for, for nursery school.
[00:02:49] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:02:50] Speaker A: Yeah. So I went to Tatasha Church of Christ. That was like my nursery.
Then grade one, I went to Ghanaton. So in Ghanaton there was a school called Ghanaton Basic School.
[00:02:58] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:02:59] Speaker A: I think now it's a secondary school.
[00:03:01] Speaker B: So yeah, upgraded it.
[00:03:03] Speaker A: So I was there from grade one up to grade three. Then I went to Tuatasha Basic School because Ghanaton was a bit further from where we were so we had to move a bit closer to where my house was so that I was at Tuatasha Basic School from grade three to seven. Then I Went to Mindolo High School. Then I went to college called Community Development Staff Training College.
[00:03:24] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:03:24] Speaker A: That's why I did my certificate in community development. Oh, so I'm a social worker.
[00:03:28] Speaker B: I see.
[00:03:29] Speaker A: Yeah, I see.
[00:03:30] Speaker B: That's why you are a people person.
[00:03:32] Speaker A: Oh, yeah, of course. I've worked in NGOS a lot, obviously. Okay. And then I also went to Zambia Open University to study my. My degree in development studies. But I didn't finish, unfortunately. Yes. I did it in third year. Why I didn't? Money.
Because at this time.
[00:03:47] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:03:48] Speaker A: I was already working for an ngo, so I was sponsoring myself.
So because of my business, Jani had to quit my. To resign my job. Quit my job at some point.
[00:03:58] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:03:58] Speaker A: To start my own business. Okay.
[00:04:00] Speaker B: So just. Just there because I'm very interested with your business journey.
[00:04:03] Speaker A: Okay. Okay.
[00:04:05] Speaker B: Did you start business because you fail to pay for your fees in school or. Or was your. Your business ambitions conflicting with the job and. And the school?
[00:04:20] Speaker A: So at the time I went to my university, I was already working.
[00:04:24] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:04:25] Speaker A: Yeah. So I was. I was working for an angel called ecr. So money wasn't the problem at the time.
[00:04:30] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:04:30] Speaker A: So I resigned because I wanted to start my own business.
Now it's. During this time of setting up my own business, I was still in college. I see. Yeah. So I had financial challenges because my business there wasn't doing very well because I was just starting out.
[00:04:43] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:04:43] Speaker A: And at some point my business collapsed and all that.
[00:04:46] Speaker B: What was your first business?
[00:04:49] Speaker A: My first business? You asked me about my first business because my first business was in then I was still in to attacha.
[00:04:54] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:04:54] Speaker A: My father bought me a bicycle. A bm. Bmx.
[00:04:57] Speaker B: Bmx?
[00:04:57] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:04:58] Speaker B: What color was.
[00:05:00] Speaker A: Was you meant a color?
[00:05:02] Speaker B: Yes, the color.
[00:05:02] Speaker A: It was blue.
[00:05:03] Speaker B: Yes. I used to have a bmx.
[00:05:05] Speaker A: Yeah, that was my first. Because my father bought me a bicycle. I was very young at the time. I should have been May10, 11 years old, but I don't know how.
Now when I think about it, I'm like, oh, wow. So this thing started a long time ago. So I used that bicycle. So I would charge people to get on my bicycle. So if you want to ride my bicycle from this place to that church, give me a one quarter.
[00:05:24] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:05:25] Speaker A: I remember I would make a lot of money at the time. My. My brother had a wife who was pregnant. She would always ask me for.
So I was always buying things for even as a young boy. So I believe that's where I started from then in grades 12, somewhere there, grade 11, I started a Barbershop with a group of friends. So basically that those were my first businesses.
[00:05:44] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:05:44] Speaker A: My bicycle, which was a service, obviously.
[00:05:46] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:05:47] Speaker A: Then a barbershop.
[00:05:48] Speaker B: Okay. Now which business did you start the time that you resigned?
[00:05:52] Speaker A: The time that I resigned, it was a takeaway business. It was in Chamboli.
[00:05:56] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:05:56] Speaker A: So we used to sell chips. Chicken and chips and sausage as well. And so it was in Chamboli, by the way, it's.
We used to call the business Amache.
So that was the first business. After resigning towards the takeaway business, were
[00:06:14] Speaker B: you alone or you partnered with somebody?
[00:06:15] Speaker A: No, I was actually alone.
[00:06:16] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:06:17] Speaker A: Okay. At this time, I'm still working.
[00:06:20] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:06:20] Speaker A: Yeah. So I was working while doing the same business. The business did a bit. Well, obviously we did a bit. Okay. But I realized to say I needed to pay much attention to my business, so that's basically one of the reasons I had to resign because I wanted to focus more on the business.
[00:06:33] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:06:33] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:06:34] Speaker B: Okay.
To. To me, away from music, I came to know you as Honeyman.
[00:06:43] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:06:44] Speaker B: And you did great advertising. When you're in the Copper Belt with the honey Yako.
[00:06:50] Speaker A: Yes. Honey.
[00:06:51] Speaker B: Yes. You. You. You broke into stores. How did that journey start?
Yeah. Which.
[00:06:59] Speaker A: This is why I advise people to read a lot.
That business idea came from a book.
I remember there was a time I was coming from shoprite in Kitwe. Those of who from the Copper Belt. Kitwe. So I was walking along, you know where the bank is it? Bucklers Bank. So opposite Backless bank, there's a.
There's a post office.
[00:07:18] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:07:18] Speaker A: So right there at the post office, there are guys who sell books there.
[00:07:22] Speaker B: Yes. Punch players.
[00:07:23] Speaker A: The guys who sell boxers. So I had a 50 quarter.
Anyway, before that, I used to watch a lot of Les Brown. So, you know, Les Brown would talk about how you can do it. Nothing is impossible. You know, I watch Les Brown, I'm encouraged. I'm like, let me just quit this job and start my own business. So at this point, I'm thinking, what business can I start? And then as I'm passing by post office, I see these books. Then there was a book called 101 Businesses to Start. That's the book I got for 50 Quarter. And it was from that book where I saw the business idea to start the honey business. But it wasn't.
Basically, it wasn't a honey idea. It was about jam.
[00:07:58] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:07:59] Speaker A: Yeah. But that was there with the inspiration came from. From a book that I just bought for 50 quarter.
[00:08:04] Speaker B: Yes. Okay. And the. The business for honey. Where were you Getting the honey. Did you have a hive? Did you study hive? Like what was your source? What, what's it? The chain of distribution in honey business.
[00:08:17] Speaker A: So at this point I was going to Northwestern Province. So I remember the first time I went to Northwestern Province after resigning from my job. I was supposed to be given a severance pay like my gratuity. But this country took a bit long.
Graduate took almost, I think, for me to receive my money. It took almost six months or so.
And my plan was that once I resign, I'll go to Northwestern Province, I get the honey, I start my business. So with the money that I was supposed to get, I think it was about 40,000 quarter somewhere there I was like, if I get a 40,000 quarter 20 pin, I'll invest it in the honey.
Now it takes more than five months for me to receive my money. Mind you, at this point I'm renting an apartment, so my rentals are accumulating for five months. I haven't paid my.
[00:09:01] Speaker B: And what do you tell the landlord?
[00:09:02] Speaker A: That's the thing. So my rentals are still accumulating. Thank God I had a very understanding landlord at the time. My rentals are accumulating.
On the other hand, I'm supposed to eat, so I'm borrowing money from people. By the time the money came out, half of that money just went, you know, to pay debts.
Now the remaining balance. Now I have to buy equipment because I need a machine to filter the honey and all those things. I came to Lusaka with part of the money to come and buy the equipment. I couldn't find the equipment I was looking for. By the time I'm doing all those rounds, the money is finishing.
I only had the money left for one container. So I only from the gratuity, the 40,000 culture that I got, I was only managing. I only remained with enough money to buy a container.
[00:09:50] Speaker B: And when it's a container, we're talking about a 20 liters. 20 liter.
[00:09:53] Speaker A: So when I went to Northwest St. Paul's it's called Mahewa Refugee Camp. I. I think, yeah, no, I came up, I came back with two containers. So those are.
[00:10:01] Speaker B: You've been to Mahiwa Refugee Camp?
[00:10:02] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:10:02] Speaker B: You should take me there. I would like to do one of these sessions podcasting there because I know,
[00:10:08] Speaker A: I do know quite a few people
[00:10:09] Speaker B: in the refugee camps. They also have like cooling system. I would like to explore that. Yes. Okay, that's good.
[00:10:14] Speaker A: Have some contacts there and that's not a problem.
[00:10:15] Speaker B: Great, great. So. So that container you brought it back.
[00:10:20] Speaker A: Yes. So that container is what I started with. So we would start packaging this honey with like a very nice brand. Then we'll take to the orange color. The orange color, of course.
[00:10:29] Speaker B: No, you were following my brother.
[00:10:32] Speaker A: So that's when we started. We used to distribute in supermarkets, different places. But, you know, at this point now, because I think I was very good at marketing, I did very powerful marketing to the point where ZNB come to shoot from our office and all that. So at this point now, I need to grow the business because my capital was very small.
So there was a company in kitwe, it's called BSweet, the very big honey business. They have their honey in shoprite, different supermarket stores. I remember going to see John, who is late now, the owner of the business, his name is a white man. Because I'm trying to see how can I get more honey for my business. These are the guys who supply honey. So I visited John at the time. I convinced him to give me honey with 7,000 Kwacher without paying a dime.
So what I did, I went and negotiated for a deal where they would give me raw honey, packaged already, but without their stickers. Okay, then I'll just put my own stickers. I remember that man.
Yeah, of course.
So when I went to this man, I was able to get to get that deal.
You know, that's one thing I liked about that man. He believed in me even as a young man, because I was very young at the time when I went to have a meeting with him.
I'm a small guy. I'm just starting out. I'm not expecting this kind of reception. But when I went to this man, the reception that they gave me, they made me enter the office. Three white guys, they sat there to listen to me. So to me, it was very important. And when I shared my idea, they liked the idea. And guess what? The CEO, he was a very sharp man. Was like this boy, why can't you just work for me?
Why can't I can give you a job? Why not?
[00:12:20] Speaker B: And you are not looking for a job?
[00:12:21] Speaker A: I'm not looking for a job. I want to run my own business. But anyway, to cut the story short, I managed to convince them for a deal. So they started giving me honey without the stickers. And then I would put stickers there and distribute in supermarkets. So the honey that I'm supplying, it's good quality, standard. It's already been certified by everything.
[00:12:40] Speaker B: So you beat the system to get
[00:12:42] Speaker A: through the system to get through, yes.
[00:12:43] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:12:44] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:12:45] Speaker B: So did that is, are you still running that business?
[00:12:50] Speaker A: I wouldn't say yes and no.
[00:12:53] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:12:53] Speaker A: We are not distributing yet, but there's something that we have been doing in the back of, you know, because there are just certain businesses that you can't afford to start small, you know, certain businesses you just can't. The challenge that I had with the honey business, you know, like the suppliers keep changing the prices. So you go today, they will tell you no. Our honey now is 40 kwacha per kilogram. So now I have to rush back to my. To my supermarkets. No, we are increasing the prices. So it seems kind of unstable for me to be changing prices every now and then. So the secrets to the honey business is you need to own, if possible, own the entire value chain on the entire valuation. So what I mean, the value chain is the people that are supplying you honey, you go to them, where do they get the honey from?
Go to where they get from. And then those guys again, where are they getting? Until you get to the source, then you realize that the profit margins will begin to make sense. So at this point, we are looking at, okay, just investing in our own beehives. Okay? Yeah, okay. But that's not my focus at the moment.
[00:13:47] Speaker B: Okay, let's talk about.
During the time that you were actively promoting and selling honey, did you ever get any. Any external investment to scale up a business?
[00:14:01] Speaker A: From friends? Obviously.
I got a few some monies from my friends.
[00:14:05] Speaker B: Okay. Is it on loan or was it just gift to support the business?
[00:14:11] Speaker A: It was loans disguised as investments.
You know, one thing I've come to understand about the capital that we have, especially in my country, our capital is very impatient.
So somebody gives you money and expectant, it's an investment.
When somebody's investing, they have to share in the risk as well. Yeah, but what they are telling you is that I'm giving you this money, but don't lose it.
I know it's a business, I know it's a risk, but please don't lose my money.
So I got a lot of monies like that. Where. Because at this point, because of our advertisements and everything, we begin to receive orders from supermarkets. Now I start approaching friends, guys, I need money so that I can supply to this company and me being a young person, obviously.
So these supermarkets, what they will do is when you supply honey, they'll pay you in two weeks time.
[00:15:02] Speaker B: Okay?
[00:15:03] Speaker A: So they tell me, once you supply the honey in two weeks time, we are paying you the money. So now me being an amateur businessman, I go to my friends as well. Boy, two weeks.
[00:15:12] Speaker B: In two weeks they pay.
[00:15:16] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:15:17] Speaker B: Two weeks.
[00:15:18] Speaker A: Boy, I'll give you back your money. I got 5,000 kwacha here, 20,000 kwacha here. I got too much money.
I supply to these supermarkets.
I'm looking at my phone, it's two weeks now.
When am I going to receive an alert? Nothing. My leader.
Two days. One week later, nothing is coming up.
Two months.
Three months. Remember, I'm supposed to pay back that money in two weeks time, but now it's three months.
At this point, I'm receiving threats.
[00:15:49] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:15:49] Speaker A: From people who are my friends.
No, my. My close friends. Some of them. I. I'm singing with them. You know me, I'm from the singing background. Some of them. You are singing together in the group. You've gotten monies. And maybe the guy didn't even get his own money. He got his wife's money to invest in your business.
So now at this point, you are running away from people. You are. You don't want to pick up your calls.
Integrity is gone.
[00:16:12] Speaker B: Yeah.
You are not a liar.
[00:16:15] Speaker A: At that point, this guy is a liar. Because every time they call you. And you know, this is the funny thing, some of the supermarkets were actually paying, so now they are owing you maybe a 10,000 kwacha. And then you go there and say no.
So they'll give you 2000 Kwach. You come back to the office, you have employed people. You need to pay them. You need to pay rentals. So you find that they are paying your money. And at some point, I remember gathering most of the money, and then I'm like, where is the money? I haven't paid anyone that you know, because you are still paying rentals, you're sorting out issues, but the people that you. You got the money from, you have nothing to give them. So it was quite a learning curve for me.
[00:16:51] Speaker B: What was the biggest lesson in that period?
[00:16:56] Speaker A: Never borrow money to start a business.
Borrow money to grow a business. I think it was Vouset Mbekwa who said, you should never, ever borrow money to start a business. Do you know why? Because you don't know what you're talking about when you tell me you're paying me in three months, in three weeks time. You don't know what you're. Things happen in business. There are certain unforeseen circumstances that you don't even anticipate, and they'll just happen. So, like, in that case, for me, I was just thinking, oh, this is how it works. These are supermarkets, mind you, I'M dealing with Indians, I'm dealing with white people. I'm like, ah, these guys, I can trust them. Indians are very credible people. White people are. They will pay me.
So I. Without having much information about the business, I borrow money, I invest in the business that I have no idea. So that's one lesson that I've learned. Never borrow money to start, Only borrow to scale. Because you now understand the business. At this point, I can borrow money
[00:17:49] Speaker B: for my business because, you know, the value chain. Of course, here the market fluctuates in this way.
[00:17:53] Speaker A: And I can also negotiate for a good term from my, from my, for my, from my, my lenders. Okay, lenders.
[00:17:59] Speaker B: Right. Yes, yes, yes, yes.
[00:18:00] Speaker A: From my end, because I can negotiate then because I was desperate for the money. I just wanted money.
But now we've gotten to a point where somebody wants to give you money. Like, I can. Hold on. Okay, how much money do you. Are we talking about 50 pin? That's too small. Because, like, with a 50 pin, I can do it on my own.
[00:18:17] Speaker B: I want to find out how. How long did it take for you to start making tangible profits?
[00:18:22] Speaker A: Wow.
Many years. Because I think I've been in business for a decade now.
[00:18:29] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:18:30] Speaker A: I would say for, For. For the past maybe seven years.
It was just.
[00:18:35] Speaker B: So what kept you going? Because I want to understand. Did I make sense?
You know what I mean?
So what kept you going? Because,
[00:18:58] Speaker A: you know, for me, I think it's about purpose.
Once you discover what anything that you're willing to die for, that is something that you are born to do. So for me, when it comes to.
To my business, I don't think there's anything else that I can do apart from this. Okay. I don't think there's anything else that I can do that apart from what I'm doing now. You know what I mean? I believe at this point, if you asked me who I am, I would tell you, at this point, you know, I keep changing, obviously, because with time, we are growing.
[00:19:31] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:19:32] Speaker A: So every time we're coming to that. Of course we're coming to that. Y. So. But basically I would say it's. It's about discovering who you are. Okay.
[00:19:41] Speaker B: Have you ever felt.
Did you ever feel like I think maybe I should run back and finish that paper? Did you ever have moments where you doubted and maybe started looking for other options?
[00:19:54] Speaker A: You know, when God gives you a vision, he gives it to you alone. Nobody else sees it but you.
So for me, when God showed me what I'm. God has been showing Me what? You know, I'll tell you a lot about where I am and why I'm this bored about what I do. Because for me, when God gave me this vision, I could see it and I knew one day it was going to come to pass. But the people around me, that's where the problem was.
[00:20:20] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:20:21] Speaker A: Yeah, because I remember at this point I'm running a business and I've got four or five employees and we're making a bit of money. But my sister is still sending me job adverts. You know what I mean? So usually people around you.
Yeah, my sister would still send you job adverts. So when you have people around you that don't believe in your vision, sometimes they can question. Can be you can begin to question you. Am I really doing the right thing?
[00:20:48] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:20:48] Speaker A: Did I make the right choice? Yeah. So those thoughts were there at some point.
[00:20:53] Speaker B: I once I once I. I recently saw a video of you talking about a time when people that were close to you like Monica Am.
Can you talk about that? I don't want to be empty.
But I watched that.
[00:21:12] Speaker A: Yeah. So it was during the same honey business. Okay. At that point my business had collapsed.
[00:21:17] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:21:17] Speaker A: So I was renting this for. It was a big three bedroom house. So at this point, no, actually I wasn't alone with other guys. So in this house were about three, four guys renting this apartment. I'm an entrepreneur. I'm always encouraging everyone in the house. Why you guys doing? And you know, because then I think it also because of lack of wisdom. When I left my job, I made sure that everybody that was still working they had to feel the impact that you know, what you are doing guys is useless.
You have to start. All of you have to be entrepreneurs. So you know, because of that background where you are doing this, you're always motivating your friends.
At this point ZNBC is already coming to our shop.
[00:21:51] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:21:51] Speaker A: National tv. I'm on national tv. And then my business has collapsed. At this point, my leader, I can't pay rent. I have no food whatsoever in the house. Things are tough.
And then I'm living with these guys. I know because of that reputation to say, oh never.
Honeyman is the Honeyman, this guy. So at this point I have nothing.
So I mean by bedroom, do you know I'm in my bedroom because I'm running out from my landlord. Okay, yeah. Unfortunately at this point we are staying at the same house. That's where my landlord is because my landlord keeps coming to check on me. So this time like now let me just lock myself in the room. So I've locked myself in the room running away from the landlord.
Then these guys, without knowing that I'm still inside the room, they start talking about me.
You know, they said a lot of things about who I am and at some point they were saying, no, I think even the food is the one who is eating our food.
[00:22:44] Speaker B: Was that true?
[00:22:45] Speaker A: No, no, man.
It was something else. Guys are saying this is the guy overseas. Even the one that has been eating our food is talking about how successful about entrepreneurship. But look at him, he's been paying to parent. So these guys said quite a lot of things, but they didn't know I was hearing my leader. That really broke me.
That broke my self esteem.
It made me question myself. Am I really doing the right thing? And to make the matters worse, at the same time, my girlfriend, the girl that I loved so much, dumps me.
[00:23:19] Speaker B: That season.
[00:23:19] Speaker A: Yeah, that season where she's saying, you are talking about marriage.
How are you going to marry me? With what money? Brighton.
[00:23:27] Speaker B: But was she wrong? No.
[00:23:29] Speaker A: And she said I don't my leader. I still remember those words.
[00:23:34] Speaker B: Yeah. But was, was she wrong to say you are not paying, you're running away from the landlord, you are not working. You've said the business is down.
[00:23:44] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:23:45] Speaker B: So when she weighed what was in need for her and you are talking about marriage. How can somebody whose business is down is. Is owing in rentals for. For months talking about marriage.
[00:24:02] Speaker A: And she also said something else that I didn't say.
[00:24:04] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:24:05] Speaker A: I don't want to live a mediocre life.
You know those words hate me so much.
[00:24:11] Speaker B: The way women talk. Ah, you guys are not famous.
[00:24:14] Speaker A: It was Brighton. You are talking about marriage. How are you going to take care of me? I don't want to live a mediocre life.
So she wasn't wrong, but I think she was just short sighted. Because the time I met my wife, I don't think I had gotten there because I was still struggling as an interviewer. But my wife was able to see, you know, she was able to see that.
But that time. Yeah, yeah, this guy is going somewhere.
[00:24:41] Speaker B: Yeah.
She wasn't there, but yes, don't. What's the lesson for the young man right now who's trying to grow a business and he finds himself in. In that space. Why I ask is, you know, as men, when a lady that in a season if you. I love this person says certain things, it pierces and we're not very strong.
So what's your message? To such a young man.
[00:25:18] Speaker A: But, you know, maybe. Maybe when I think. I don't really know why she. She acted like that.
She's a good woman. Married by now, very good woman. I can't say anything else bad about her, but she was a good woman. But again, maybe it could have been my fault, because knowing what I know now, you know, when you have a vision, it's only you who sees it. Remember what I said? It's only you who sees it. So the job of every is to constantly preach your vision to the people around you.
[00:25:44] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:25:45] Speaker A: So maybe I did a good job preaching my vision to my wife. That's why she supported me.
[00:25:49] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:25:49] Speaker A: You know, that's why she.
[00:25:50] Speaker B: Maybe she's also good at seeing visions.
[00:25:53] Speaker A: Yes.
Yeah, she's also good at seeing visions because other people can only see as far as they are known.
[00:26:00] Speaker B: So, Brighton, how do you handle yourself? Your friends have said these things, and your girlfriend in that moment also,
[00:26:13] Speaker A: how
[00:26:13] Speaker B: do you pick yourself up? Because literally, you don't have anybody now.
Yeah.
[00:26:20] Speaker A: How did you pick yourself?
[00:26:21] Speaker B: Yes. How did you really pick. What was your. What do you run to? Do you run back to the vision? Do you go to church? Like, what your. According to you, what do you do?
[00:26:32] Speaker A: The Bible says, seek your face the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.
[00:26:37] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:26:37] Speaker A: So when all these things begin to give you problems, where do you go?
You know what I mean? Because even my wife is one of those things. When God seeks first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.
[00:26:51] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:26:52] Speaker A: These things include my job, my business. These things include my wife.
So now these things, if my wife is giving me issues, where do I go? Back to the person, the one who gave me the altar? Yeah. This thing that you gave me, it's giving me issues.
So for me, I've always gone back to God. I think that's why I've been. I'm still standing here a decade later.
[00:27:14] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:27:14] Speaker A: Because I've seen a lot of people that have come and they've gone back. I've got a friend that we started together. Most of them have gone back to jobs they are working. But for me, I think I realized early in life that you can't run a business without God.
We all need an anchor. For me to be where I am today, you need to stand on something.
[00:27:34] Speaker B: Okay.
Was that the lowest point in your life, in your business journey in the first? I don't know. Maybe we're talking about eight years, maybe. Was that the lowest point you Hit the one that you've shared.
[00:27:47] Speaker A: It's difficult for me to pick out one lowest point because I've got a lot of laws.
[00:27:51] Speaker B: Okay.
Okay. I want us to be highly practical.
[00:27:56] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:27:58] Speaker B: Did you ever get in trouble where maybe.
[00:28:08] Speaker A: That I don't even know where to start from?
You see, not everybody that is in trouble wants to be there. That's why I was saying, when you are in business.
That's why I laugh when people bring business plans to me.
I meet a lot of those young people. Come to my office. Mr. Chfunda. I've got this business plan. If you just invest the 50 pins, double the money in two months.
[00:28:33] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:28:33] Speaker A: So a business plan is called a business plan for a reason. It's just a plan.
[00:28:37] Speaker B: It's like a budget.
[00:28:38] Speaker A: It's like a budget, yeah. There are other factors that might influence your business plan. So there are certain things that you don't plan for that will just happen. I'll give you a practical example. I'm dealing with machines. Like the time we were just starting the machine business.
We would make a machine good. You've tested the machine. The machine is perfect. It's working well. You deliver it to a client. How much is the machine? 40,000 kwacha. The customer pays in in full. But here is your money. So you go back with that 40. You are a small business. So this is now the only money that you have. You don't even have anything to put in the bank. Maybe you get some of that. You pay the ngongole here and there. You pay your workers. You're remaining with a 5000 Kwacher. Then the machine goes to a client.
Three weeks later, your machine is not working.
I want my money back.
[00:29:24] Speaker B: And your warranty, maybe. Or they just want their money.
[00:29:27] Speaker A: So now the customer just says, I just want my money back. And you are now you're the only money you have left with maybe the 2000, 5000. This client wants their money back. So you get to institution where now every day they are calling you now. You're now owing someone. Someone is calling you a crook. I'll take you to the police. I'll take you to court. So those are things that I've encountered in my business journey.
[00:29:49] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:29:49] Speaker A: Where I've been to the police before. I've been to court before.
Yeah.
You know, where people you're owing them, they will send you those call outs.
[00:29:59] Speaker B: Yes, yes.
Small claims court.
[00:30:01] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. We want our money and all those things.
So those are things that I've encountered. Let me tell you One story.
There was one instance where there was a lady. I don't know if you remember that bitcoin time when bitcoin just came on the scene, all that. So there's this company that we joined, it was network marketing.
Yeah.
[00:30:21] Speaker B: Is it, is it the one for. I won't mention the phone number, but there was global in it.
[00:30:25] Speaker A: Yes, yes, yes. Okay.
[00:30:28] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:30:28] Speaker A: So now you know I'm very good at sales.
[00:30:32] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:30:32] Speaker A: So I get into that business and then I start to sell. Obviously I'm selling, I'm marketing to other people. Now people are joining in.
[00:30:40] Speaker B: Is a mic. Okay.
This is my career. Yeah. A bit closer.
[00:30:44] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. Again, yeah, Here. Okay. So at this point, my leader, I've managed to bring in a lot of people and there was one particular lady, I think she was from, I still remember her name, but I don't know if I can say her name for security purposes.
[00:30:59] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, the lady.
[00:31:00] Speaker A: Yeah. So that particular lady, I managed to convince her to invest a 10,000 kwacha.
She gives me them and for her, she didn't know these computers. No. Mean I can't do that. Just do it for me. So I get this 10,000.
I opened an account for her. The same day I opened an account for. We just deposited a 10,000 quarter. The website was shut.
The website was closed.
My leader, I remember that day receiving a phone call from the same lady. Mr. Chmunda, where are you? She was very nice. Where are you? No, I'm Shan. Shan. Oh, come on this side.
I go there. She was taking me to the police.
[00:31:44] Speaker B: Just like that.
[00:31:45] Speaker A: Just like that.
Yeah, yeah. So I, I, that, that was one of them.
[00:31:49] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:31:50] Speaker A: So did I want to be in that? No, no, I didn't want to be there.
[00:31:53] Speaker B: Definitely not.
[00:31:53] Speaker A: I just found myself. Was I a crook? No, definitely not. But life happened.
[00:32:01] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:32:01] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:32:03] Speaker B: You, you, you are one person that says that entrepreneurship of running a business is, I think is tough, but it's still worth it.
[00:32:15] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:32:16] Speaker B: And you also say that you don't believe in the lies where people are just saying, I did this, we did this, we have done this.
And to make it look like it's a smooth sailing path into business when the issues like you have to pay workers.
Can you explain more to that before we come to the spirituality?
[00:32:42] Speaker A: Yeah. You know, because to be honest with you, we've glamorized entrepreneurship.
Everybody's showing you the good side of everything. If you check the reels on Facebook, we are all showing our successes. Oh, I had the conference. 20,000 people came we are not showing the background, oh, I'm running. I've got a meeting with the president. You know, these are the things that we want people to see. Nobody wants to look like a failure online. Nobody wants to open a camera and say, I feel like. Like I'm telling you stories about going to the police and all those things. Those are issues that I faced at some point. But very few people are willing to talk about that. But the reality is that there are things that happen in business.
You fail, you cry. There are times you are crying, you don't know what you are going to eat tomorrow. There are times, you know, month end has got two sides to the employees. It's taking long now. To the employers, it's just like tomorrow. To me, it's just like a day that has passed. So there are those things that you have to struggle with. There are times when you are being called a crook.
There's a young man in.
There's a young man in right here in Lusaka Mandevo area. He runs a shop where he sells bicycle components. So there's this young man who brought a bicycle to him. He buys a bicycle, say, oh, just somebody brought a bicycle at his shop. He buys this bicycle to resell it. He resells the bicycle.
Two days later, he receives the police at his shop, a stolen bicycle.
Before you know it, he's spending a night in prison.
By the time he was coming out, everybody was talking. This guy is a thief. He sells stolen items. You know, so there are those. Yeah, but did he steal the bicycle? No, no, he just found himself in the situation.
So there are these. I believe every entrepreneur out there has got issues that they are dealing with. I believe even the biggest interviewers that you know in the country, they have got people that they are owing money. Some of them, they have gotten money from investors that they have, you know, just that they've not paid.
But unfortunately, our mentors don't talk about that. They'll just tell you, start a business.
[00:34:46] Speaker B: So would you say that is in a way misleading to young people? Because we're just showing them to say it's this easy, you can be like me, when in fact, like you're mentioning you haven't paid your workers and it's the third day of a new month and you've borrowed money. You don't even know how you're going to pay the person you borrowed money from. That's a reality.
[00:35:08] Speaker A: That's a reality.
[00:35:10] Speaker B: So is it healthy that we have to talk about these things or should we Just say look or it. Or will it send people away?
[00:35:20] Speaker A: But I think this is the thing. I think most people, most mentors, they are doing it for themselves.
For me, I believe.
I believe I'm here to raise Kingdom entrepreneurs.
I'm here to raise a generation of entrepreneurs, the Kingdom entrepreneurs. So if you're going to raise a generation of Kingdom entrepreneurs, you really. You have to be selfless. You have to give a part of you that you don't normally give.
[00:35:41] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:35:42] Speaker A: But majority of the mentors out there, they are doing it for branding purposes, to build their own brand.
They want to build an image.
[00:35:49] Speaker B: Many people follow them.
[00:35:50] Speaker A: They want to build a superhero image.
[00:35:52] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:35:52] Speaker A: So that when they stand, you look at them, they are almost a God. Like, it's a demigod. Like, that's the picture they want to build. Like. So when you look at them, like.
But unfortunately, just a few days ago, I was talking to a friend of mine, was telling me they don't listen to motivational speakers anymore. Why? Because every time they listen to motivational speakers, they feel worse about. About themselves, where they are.
Exactly. Why? Because this guy is only showing how easy it is, how that he has gotten these investors, how that is running, you know, all these things. So I think that's where the problem is. There's needs for a balance.
[00:36:27] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:36:28] Speaker A: Would. Am I saying entrepreneurship is bad? No, for the most. For the most part, it's so fulfilling. I wouldn't be here 10 years later if it wasn't fulfilling. The only reason I'm here, I think I shared in the video, one of my videos saying, it's like. It's like a pregnant woman, when a woman is pregnant for nine months and then finally she delivers her baby and she's holding her baby in her hands. That feeling, that joy, that joy that comes, the same joy.
[00:36:54] Speaker B: The pain you even forgot about.
[00:36:55] Speaker A: You forget about the pain. Like, every time I see a client using my machine, when I visit a factory for a client, they are working. They've got employees there. They're supplying water. In Ostaka, people are drinking the water that they are supplying from a machine that made.
[00:37:09] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:37:09] Speaker A: That is so fulfilling. And that is why most of us are still in business. And that is why I am still here 10 years later, despite all the challenges. But all I'm saying is there's need for us to just balance it up. We also need to show the other side. Not just showing the good, they are showing the good side because they want to look good.
[00:37:26] Speaker B: Yeah.
Brighton firmly believes this is you. That business Is spiritual, of course. How, sir?
How?
That's something I've heard you say. No, business is spiritual.
And you tell us gather here.
[00:37:46] Speaker A: So we do gather.
[00:37:47] Speaker B: Brydon, how is business spiritual laid down for us?
[00:37:53] Speaker A: Firstly, human beings.
We are spiritual beings. A human being is a combination of humors and it's a combination of two words.
[00:38:04] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:38:05] Speaker A: Humus and man. Yes, yes. So Yumas is like the soil, then man is the spirit part. So human being is a mention of humus, the soil and the spirit.
So you can't take away spirituality from anything that you do.
[00:38:20] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:38:20] Speaker A: You are a spirit.
So the decision that you make, they are spiritual decisions.
Okay. You are a spirit, so you can't take away spirituality out of business.
And you know, it's funny that Christians kingdom entrepreneurs or Christians are the ones who don't understand this thing, but the pagans understand it very well.
The pagans, the people who don't know this God that we worship, they understand how spiritual business is. I was telling a story of a friend of mine who works for this company that I want to mention. So they go to this house. It was an Indian.
They go to this house.
They enter this house.
So the guy deals in paint. They are painting. So they're checking the house, the rooms that they're supposed to paint. What color should we paint in this room? They go to the next room. What color should we paint in this room? And then this woman tells them, now, let me take you to the most important room in this house.
So my friend being a Christian is like, okay, what is this most important room?
After showing them all the rooms, then she tells them, let me take you to the most important rooms in this house.
Then this woman enters this room. And then she opens the doors, those double doors. Then she opens the door. Like, as soon as she opens the door, they see these idols. Like there's a temple in the house. The different idols. Yes, they've got OTAs in this room. Then this woman tells them, whatever we own as a family, this is a family that owns powerful businesses in the country. You know them, right? Now, if I tell you. Yeah, maybe I'll tell you after. Yeah. Yes.
This is a company that owns businesses in Zambia. Big companies, investments. She tells them, whatever we own in this country and the businesses out of this country, they all come from this room.
Everything that they own comes from this room.
And then you, as a Christian, these are the people that you're competing with on the marketplace.
These are people who are sacrificing human blood to make money. And Then you, you are saying, no, just think, work hard. You know, business just about working hard. Think big, start small, and then move as fast as possible.
The people that you're competing with. There are so many stories that we have heard in Tanzania where they, they, they kill somebody, maybe. Yeah.
[00:40:39] Speaker B: Who become business.
[00:40:40] Speaker A: Who become business. There are so many stories recently that came in Tanzania that people with albinism, where they're getting them, they're putting them, those things are happening.
Those are real stories. Those things are happening. They are putting them in the business. And then you, when we tell you, let's fast, you don't want to fast.
When was the last time you prayed for your business? You don't want to pray. And the people that you're competing within the marketplace, they are using something and
[00:41:06] Speaker B: you're wondering why you are not having that breakthrough. Yeah.
[00:41:10] Speaker A: Yes. So it's not just about working hard. I the most, some of them, the poorest people that I've ever come, some of the most frustrated people I've ever come across, people are working hard.
Let me give you an example. In the Bible, Esther are. People are being threatened to be killed. Her entire generation is being threatened.
And then Mordecai goes to Esther to tell Esther to say they want to kill us.
So when Mordecai was telling this to Esther, he was obviously expecting Esther to say, ah, that's what they're saying. So I need to go and meet the king. Okay. Let me get me some powder, let me pout my face.
Take me to a public speaking school so that I can learn how to speak eloquence. Yeah, I can go and speak to the king. What does Esther do? She calls for a three day fast. Does that make sense to you? Esther calls for a three day fast to go and speak to the king.
And the Bible says when Esther enters the palace, when the king looks at her, the first thing he says, what can I do for you, Esther?
Even if it's half of my whatever you ask, I'm going to give you. Even if it's half of my kingdom, I'm going to give you.
I believe the heart of a king is in God's hands.
[00:42:24] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:42:25] Speaker A: So if you want to change people's hearts, people's hearts are in God's hands. So if you want to convince anyone before you even meet them, go to their creator. Go to their creator.
Go to their creator.
[00:42:38] Speaker B: So how then should Kingdom entrepreneurs, how should we then handle ourselves as we approach business? At whatever level, whether I'm doing salaoola, I'M doing phones with the realization that business is spiritual. How then should we handle, or should we just fast?
[00:43:02] Speaker A: Fasting, obviously, is one of them. But, you know, like I'm telling you about the other guys, the pagans, they have altars.
[00:43:11] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:43:12] Speaker A: They have altars in their offices, as we can't have physical altars because when back in the day, we used to have altars. Abraham used to build altars or whatever Abraham did, they built altars. Why were OTAs important?
Because that was one. Because you know what an OTA is? An altar is. Is a place of sacrifice.
And an altar is a place where divinity meets humanity. You get the point.
So this is a place now where angels ascend and descend. It's like a spiritual airport. When you go to the airport in the Keshaikira Shani.
So these guys, the pagans, they understand that concept very well and they use it.
There's no shrine.
When we talk about witch doctors, those things that they use, those are altars.
There's no speech which doctor doesn't have an altar. There is no businessman who is successful today who is just doing business as a natural man.
Everybody is spiritual.
It's either you are in the secret cult. There's a man from Nigeria I like to listen. He says, it's either you're in the secret court or you're in the secret place.
He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. So it's either in the secret court or in the secret place. So every successful person on that level, he's doing something.
If you are not. He says if you're not using something, somebody's using something against you.
[00:44:39] Speaker B: I see.
[00:44:40] Speaker A: So for you to survive in the marketplace, you need to operate. You need an altar.
You need Jesus in your business.
Jesus is the altar. But how do you bring Jesus Christ in your business?
Obviously, it begins by repentance. Anyway, talking about how to set up an altar, that could be another.
[00:44:59] Speaker B: Yes, that's another. Another session. But the realization is, business is spirit, spiritual.
[00:45:05] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:45:07] Speaker B: And if someone says no, it's not spiritual. It's just about numbers and contacts and networking.
[00:45:14] Speaker A: That's a poor man.
Check their Facebook profile, check their lives. I'm telling you the truth. Anybody who says that, yes, they are running a mediocre business or they're not doing any business at all. But the real guys know what I'm talking about. Yeah. The successful guys know what I'm talking about.
The presidents know what they're talking about. My Leader, read the entire Bible. There's no king, there's no kingdom in the entire Bible. Whoever built a kingdom just on human intelligence.
[00:45:43] Speaker B: Yeah. They would rely on prophets, astrologers, diviners.
[00:45:48] Speaker A: So what makes you think you can build an industry what can you makes you think you can build an industry like Dangote? What makes you think you can build an industry like Apple Computers just on human intelligence?
I get a lot of comments on my page even now. I was reading a message with my wife. Just like you have put it. There's a guy who saying, this is a lie. Business is not spiritual. What about these guys in America? They work hard.
They just work hard.
If you talk about Elon Musk or not, let me not talk about. What's his name? Steve Jobs.
[00:46:20] Speaker B: Steve Jobs. Yeah.
[00:46:21] Speaker A: Steve Jobs was a spiritual man. Do a research on Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs used to go to a temple for this prophet, this man called Nimkaloli Baba. Do your research.
The time Steve Jobs was starting his company, he was like, what do I. Because you're running a business, nothing is making sense.
[00:46:38] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:46:38] Speaker A: Somebody advised him to go to India to go and meet this man named Kalore Baba. Though at the time he was already dead. When Steve Jobs went to Nimkalori Baba temple, when he came back, that's when he launched abacomputers.
Do you know who else was the mentee to Steve Jobs?
Mark Zuckerberg. This information is there. I checked this information. Yes. Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook guy, he's stuck in his business.
Where do I go from this stage? He goes to his mentor, Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs. I'm stuck in my business. I'm trying to grow my company. How do I grow this company? Do you know the advice Steve Jobs gave him? Go to the temple in India.
This is Steve Jobs you're talking about. He advised Mark Zuckerberg to go to the temple in India when he went to that temple in India when Max Zuckerberg came back.
This is the first book that we know.
[00:47:23] Speaker B: Okay, we have to wrap up. And I know that this is just part one.
Business is spiritual. With Brighton.
Are you still called Honeyman or Kingdom Entrepreneur? Kingdom Entrepreneur, yes.
Yeah, the Kingdom Entrepreneur. As we wrap up from whatever we have shared, what would you like the person who's watching this?
And they need that spiritual engagement in whatever they. That concerns them. What will be something that you want them to go with as they wrap up this episode?
[00:48:03] Speaker A: I believe as Kingdom entrepreneurs, we are sent here for a reason.
We are here to make people understand that business is not just making money. Business is not just about profits.
There is a higher calling.
We are here to serve a higher purpose than just making money.
We are here at such a time as this to save the kingdom of God. I always give an example of Joseph of Arimathea. In the Bible, Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple of Jesus Christ. He was just following us from a distance.
[00:48:33] Speaker B: From a distance.
[00:48:34] Speaker A: But when Jesus Christ died, his body, now it was at his most vulnerable. That's when the Kingdom entrepreneur called Joseph
[00:48:42] Speaker B: of the Matthew come in to help with.
[00:48:44] Speaker A: To help the body of Christ.
So I believe as kingdom entrepreneurs, we're here to serve the body of Christ at its weakest. So the money that we are making is not just for our sooth.
[00:48:54] Speaker B: True.
[00:48:55] Speaker A: It's not just for our. It's also to serve the kingdom of God.
[00:48:58] Speaker B: Impact, impact on the ground.
[00:49:00] Speaker A: So for you to be able to make the impact, that type of impact that you need, you can't do it alone. You need God on your side. That is the only way you're going to stand in this harsh world.
[00:49:10] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:49:11] Speaker A: So if anything, if you're not. Anyway, you said we are going to do part two.
[00:49:14] Speaker B: Yes, we are definitely going to part two. That, that I can assure you, ladies and gentlemen, you heard it from not me, but from the Kingdom entrepreneur himself.
We are raising a generation of entrepreneurs in such a time as this to serve a greater purpose according to him. And I love that line, I think I'll be using it with your permission where I'm going.
We are raising an education podcast for such a time as this.
Not for our suits, for the studio lights and everything, but for greater purpose and impact. And that's why I want to say join us on the new episodes that we're going to run.
Share with us a teacher, a parent, a school and want to go to where the stories are. So if you know anybody in the community that is doing greater things in any part of the country called Zambia, we want to come and highlight the great works that these people are doing. So it could be a school, a teacher. We want to come and visit those sites.
Signing out from Zedu Podcast, we would like to say thank you. Please keep on sharing the the reels, subscribe, have your family watch and give us a support. To those that are supporting us every episode, we want to say thank you very much. This is the only education podcast in Zambia and we are grateful for your support. Until next time, signing out.
