Twenty years ago today, September 1st, 1996, was a blue Monday for me. I rolled out of bed early after a sleepless night, skipped cycling and breakfast, forgot to kiss my young wife (there were no kids yet), and left straight for “the office”. I was pre-occupied. For the first time in years I was going to work wide-eyed and scared! Because – you see – it was the first day of running my own “business”. I was now “my own boss”. A “freelancer”. A “consultant”.
Heck! I soon realized I was really now unemployed and permanently in job-seeking mode. Out of my own free will!
This realization was triggered when I had to make my own tea, organize the office rent and furniture, empty the rubbish bin every day, and arrange a Telkom-line. All by myself! And then of course wondering how we were going to pay the bills.
I did not really know what exactly I was going to do. There was no business plan. No capital to invest. No projections. No novel idea. Not even an awareness of the fresh produce industry. Just me in a hired little corner, one computer, a Telkom-line, and the idea that I wanted to create useable software. And survive.
I was just plain stupid. (These days I often realize I still am… 
With some luck and the goodwill of the first few clients I soon managed to procure some work. And the more and harder I worked, the more the opportunities came along. Before long we were doing all sorts of software-related work. I say “we” because soon I had managed to earn enough to actually employ someone.
The months and years flew by. I was sleeping under desks, driving for hours and hours, designing algorithms that I never thought I’d be able to do, laying awake about bank overdrafts and the house bond, and working from dark to dark – Christmas days included. But we were learning a lot each day and were becoming more focused. I crossed paths with some very special people, many of them – consciously or not realizing it – playing a HUGE mentoring role to people like me – not just assisting with advice, time and their encouragement, but also creating real and meaningful opportunities. Many of them are still our clients to this day. It still amazes me how some business owners – usually the long-term successful ones – are genuinely concerned about the well-being of their service providers.
I’ve had – and still have – the privilege of working with wonderful people at the office. I’ve seen young guys hone their skills and develop into astute, cool-headed business people. I’ve seen women join the Farsoft team and bring with them a special brand of energy, life-balance, care for our clients and a sense of urgency. I’ve worked with young people deep into the night, solving crises under stressful conditions and impossible timelines. Together we’ve enjoyed the scariest but also the funniest and enjoyable times. Today the opportunities and challenges coming our way never cease, and we need to work harder than ever – while keeping a careful eye on the finances. What an exciting ride!
How extremely lucky I am!
The main reason for this email is to say THANK YOU to all our clients for twenty years of support, help, encouragement and trust. Because probably the biggest lesson I have learnt over the years is to appreciate clients. Clients have no obligation to use us – there are many other choices they could make. Yet – after much deliberation they choose us. I find it a very humbling experience.
If you’re not a client, but a friend, family or business associate – your time and interest in us is highly appreciated. Thank you!
There are a few other things I have learnt as well which I would like to share at this point:
1. There is no substitute for hard, grinding work.
2. A small business is not a smaller version of a big business. It is a different animal altogether.
3. A business’ biggest asset is its clients. A client’s biggest asset is its people.
4. It’s not about the money. It’s about the people. Money is merely an enabler.
5. Having a delighted customer is a most thrilling experience.
6. Make backups. Then test them. Often. (Or use the cloud…)
7. Never, ever underestimate the value of personal contact.
8. Be loyal. Always. Remember who put you where you are today.
9. Listen to your client. Listen really carefully.
10. The younger generations of today are mostly much more resourceful and smarter than we old-toppies tend to think. Give them some training and a REAL opportunity, and watch the magic happen!
11. Women make the world go round…
(I could add a few more, but let’s suffice with something I’ve leant in recent years: when the younger guys explain and demonstrate #SomethingYouDontUnderstand, claim you don’t have your glasses nearby and can’t see on the monitor.)
Finally – in early 1997 a frustrated client walked into my office, slammed his unwrapped internet starter kit box onto my desk (the 9600bps modems we used to sell in those days), demanded his money back and shouted loudly: “HIERDIE INTERNET IS SOMMER TWAK, MAN! DIT SAL NOOIT WERK NIE!” (his exact words).
Choose the people you listen to….
Thank you for the opportunities. We are still learning.
All of the best.
Freddie Roux
