“Business Matters”– Ron Kamwendo

Ron, the Foundation’s Head of Finance, recently ventured into the heart of the American state best known for Country music, Franklin, Nashville. His mission, however, would not be learning from a famous musician. Instead, he had their local and very famous financial guru Dave Ramsey in mind.

In November Ron attended an EntreLeadership Master Series seminar run by The Lampo Group, otherwise known by its founder’s name, Dave Ramsey. He is a world-renowned entrepreneur who has his own radio talk show and two published titles, the most recent of which is the best-selling The Total Money Makeover. Dave is best known for his counsel on gaining freedom from debt and his advice carries weight since he runs his business on this principle. All his business transactions are done in cash. His motto is: “Transact if you can afford, otherwise wait until you have saved up enough and then transact because debt is a killer and holds you captive for as long as you have it.”

As an entrepreneur who has had two businesses fail, Ron could relate to Dave who himself had failed and had lost everything. Ron found it encouraging and inspiring to learn that despite this setback Dave “had the courage to dust himself off and get back on the proverbial horse.” He has since managed to build a highly

profitable institution, The Lampo Group, which employs 400 people.

At the heart of Dave Ramsey’s success is his willingness and determination to help people. In fact, The Lampo Group’s definition of success is based on the number of lives changed. In addition to his books and radio talk show, Dave helps people by travelling all over America offering training in leadership and entrepreneurship, and helping more people become debt-free.

The EntreLeadership Master Series is a week-long seminar for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to run and grow their businesses effectively. A number of business topics are covered in this week; they include operations, sales and advertising, marketing, hiring and firing, compensation, family and business, managing finances, team management, self-management, and philanthropy.

“In order to keep others, we should keep learning” is Ron’s view on attending seminar’s like this one. His one objective for this week was finding new ways of working with the Foundation’s Alumni, the Fellows. Once Candidate-Fellows have graduated from their degree courses and the Foundation’s Development Programme, they become part of the Association of Allan Gray Fellows. It is the aim of the Association to encourage and support the starting and running of businesses that will lead to job creation and the eventual eradication of poverty in Southern Africa.

“The experience was amazing and eye-opening.” Ron’s newly gained insights are not only applicable to his own entrepreneurial journey but to those of the Alumni. “I was enlightened as to how our programme at Alumni level could be structured. It would be invaluable to have our Fellows exposed to the wonderful material and tools endorsed by The Lampo Group. It would also help if they were relieved from the pressure and stress of being an overnight success. Dave Ramsey advocates a sustainable manner for growing ventures; guided by the right principles. In this case he refers to biblical principles, but I found them to be just as practical.”

“There were 200 of us at this seminar; they were mostly entrepreneurs and millionaires with every reason to boast and yet I had never come across such humility in a group. I enjoyed networking with them, especially the young entrepreneurs. They not only inspired me to dust myself off and get back on my ‘entrepreneurial’ horse, but made me understand that a true entrepreneur never quits.”

Ron’s week of learning ended on a musical note with a visit to downtown Nashville, also known as Music City. The annual Country Music Awards were taking place at the time and the attendees were treated to a performance by Academy Award-winning songwriters.

Attendees of the EntreLeadership Master Series seminar each received a workbook with a chapter devoted to each of the 18 topics covered in the seminar as well as a recommended reading list. Below Ron shares both the topics covered in his workbook and Dave Ramsey’s recommended reading with us.

Workbook topics

Reading list

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