The qualities of entrepreneurship

In contrast, Andrew Chong FCCA, based in the Netherlands, found entrepreneurship through his work in corporate innovation. ‘Even in large firms, I could never sit still. I kept wanting to fix things, solve problems.’ His ventures, which include μPledge and Portio Capital, all align around the theme of democratising finance and real estate, helping individuals access markets traditionally out of reach.

For Oleksandr Danylenko FCCA, founding Boodmo, an e-commerce platform for automotive parts in India, was driven by recognising a market opportunity, despite the daunting cultural and operational challenges. ‘People told us we were lunatics,’ he says, ‘but I knew the customers wanted openness and transparency’.

Pushing through

All three faced obstacles – some foreseeable, others utterly unexpected. Voss, who launched her business during the Covid-19 pandemic, dealt with practical barriers such as banking delays and global shipping crises. ‘The Suez Canal blocked our first shipment,’ she recalls. ‘You need to be streetwise. That can’t always be taught. It’s about having the grit to solve problems fast.’

Chong echoes that sentiment, noting that the biggest early-stage hurdles are often personal. ‘Do you have the resilience? When things go wrong – and they will – you need to ask if you’re ready to push through another two years of hardship. Passion is what keeps you going when the chips are down.’

Danylenko, who moved his business across cultures and continents from the Ukraine to India, also highlights the importance of belief. ‘You have to be a little bit of a lunatic,’ he jokes. ‘Not completely, but enough to keep going when everyone doubts you.’

Highly qualified

Each founder agreed that their ACCA qualification gave them a significant advantage, especially in financial modelling, risk management and strategic thinking.

‘Without ACCA, I don’t think I’d have secured the initial investment,’ says Danylenko. ‘It helped me present the business credibly and forecast properly.’

Voss adds: ‘Every ounce of my ACCA knowledge was needed to navigate the early days. You may be scrappy, but you’re also equipped to build a robust foundation.’

Chong points out that the ACCA mindset also brings discipline to innovation. ‘It’s easy to get carried away with ideas. ACCA helps you look at viability and sustainability in a structured way.’

Lessons learned

Each entrepreneur has learned powerful lessons from their journeys – advice that could serve others exploring entrepreneurship.

Build your network early: ‘I wish I’d known the power of networking sooner,’ says Voss. ‘Opportunities come from who you know. Create goodwill, offer help and build relationships.’

Choose the right partners: ‘Don’t jump into business with just anyone,’ Chong cautions. ‘Make sure they’re aligned with your values and resilient enough to weather the hard times.’

Retain control where it matters: Danylenko advises entrepreneurs to be careful with early-stage investors. ‘Don’t sell too much of your company too early. High valuations can protect your control and vision.’

Find your ‘why’: ‘Don’t do it to get rich quick,’ says Voss. ‘Do it because there’s something inside you that no other job can satisfy.’

Play to your strengths: ‘Stick to what you’re good at and what you’re passionate about,’ Chong advises. ‘You’ll need both to build something that lasts.’

Think big but stay grounded: ‘Have a big vision but keep asking questions,’ says Danylenko. ‘Know what you don’t know and keep learning.’

The rewards

While the journey is undoubtedly tough – marked by setbacks, self-doubt and dogged survival – it is also profoundly rewarding. ‘Some of the changes we’ve made for the planet and animals – nothing could replace that feeling,’ says Voss. ‘No job could have given me that.’

Danylenko adds: ‘Even if everything ended tomorrow, I’d know we left a footprint – something positive and lasting.’

And Chong sums it up well: ‘It’s not about glamour. It’s about solving real problems, with real people, for real impact.’