Paradoxically, it’s a good sign when your internal campus is steadily consistent.

The paramount importance of the fundamental element of vision is greatly undervalued by many, not because of the current global recession, but rather by a poverty of ambition in today’s business sense which is hypnotized by the sizzle and not the steak.

Not to concoct a sensational story, but I’ve never been one to resign myself to the inevitable. 2009 has been a painful but rewarding process of trial and error for me.

The systemic nature of entrepreneurship is hinged on making effective decisions with scarce resources,in a dynamic environment. Taking the challenge (sealing my fate) by vowing to stay afloat in this economic upheaval has been more than a test of character; it’s been a philosophical journey.

The YMBK brand stands for strength, the strength to OVERCOME obstacles’. Irony becomes suspect, when in trying to follow the rules of academia and vision, the corrosive aspect of challenges is strengthened by an unhealthy lack of faith in the very elements that have positioned us to be where we are.

YAMBUKA has had a simple maxim: OVERCOME any and all challenges.

YAMBUKA as an entity has had its challenges, the greatest of which has been its vision. I want to pontificate that in an environment saddled with debt, YAMBUKA’s incumbency has been an ideological stance against coloring within the lines. As an entrepreneurial project, a ‘work in progress’ adventure, challenges come in all forms and from all directions. I have an energy milking but rewarding 4 days to look forward to. The humbling thing about these 4 days is that they sum up the BRAND thus far.

The challenge is that, YAMBUKA belongs to everyone; it’s an idea, a brand. With the set of well defined rules & ideals that we follow, that have successfully positioned us in this competitive environment, not a market leader by any means but rather an ‘undercut-punch’, with the potential to knock out the opponent, ceteris paribus. Blindly abandoning the creative philosophies that have resulted in profitable opportunities is unbelievably absurd.


360 degree feedback given in good faith is priceless. My challenge is aligning input with the original vision. Having a vision is imperative. Believing in the vision is attractive.

I will eternally be indebted to those who believe in my vision and those who believe that the vision is imperative.


Onwards.Upwards.Always.

Farai