Businessman, musician all rolled into one

and believes, the mind can achieve”.
Many people are convinced that a mature mind is a prerequisite for one to succeed in the business world. However, there is a significant difference between age and maturity.
Twenty-five-year-old Tommy Deuschle, chief executive of Big Africa, is living testimony of this after proving that even the young generation can make it in business.
Only positive thinking will let one do everything better than negative thinkers can ever do.
In this respect, Tommy managed to build an organisation which helps other business people realise their dreams by providing them with a platform to advertise their products and services.
The Big Africa chief executive was born and grew up in Harare in a Christian family of five and is the son of Pastors Tom and Bonnie Deuschle, who are the founders of Celebration Ministries International.
Big Africa is an online business network that links up trade businesses internationally, regionally and locally.
“We are linking businesses and brands to local and international networks through digital media methods such as radio production, video production, online coupons, digital branding and social networking management,” he said.
With regard to Big Africa, Tommy’s dream is to help local businesses increase market share through business to business relationships.
Tommy also owns a digital media company called Total IT, which also connects people through the use of video profile promotions, social networking management and creative marketing through radio.
Big Africa and Total IT basically help link people in business and link opportunities through digital media and the use of online networking.
The young businessman believes that many businesses have excellent services but their budgets may not allow them to advertise their products on billboards or in newspapers, which creates an imbalance in terms of promoting the company’s brand, hence the need for people to adopt te lastest digital technology.
Tommy draws inspiration from his father, whom he describes in his own words as a man who “places strong emphasis on individual responsibility and one’s ability to exert God’s influence in their spheres of influence”.
His father, who is a leader in business and a mentor in dynamic and principle-based leadership, inspired him to become what he is today.
“My dad is not only a pastor but a great teacher in different aspects and among them business. I have learnt a lot of things from him as I grew up and he played a great role in grooming me to become the person I am today,” said Tommy.
On the business front, he draws inspiration from Kingdom Financial Holdings founder Mr Nigel Chanakira.
His source of motivation towards building this organisation is the desire of seeing businesses in Africa working together.
“My wish is to see business people working together as well as providing a cutting edge digital campaign,” he said.
Total IT has already handled major advertising campaigns for big companies like Seed Co, Kingdom Bank and Royal Bank.
The staunch Christian believes that as technology is changing there is need for business people to find effective digital means to advertise and market their products.
He said most businesses believed that if they put up a billboard consumers will get to know what they are communicating, but he believes that digital technology is a better alternative as it combines picture and sound to communicate a message effectively.
“Media is changing and Big Africa and Total IT are here to link people to what they desire and what they look forward to buying,” he said.
Soft-spoken and down-to-earth, Tommy says people need to have brand awareness, so that they can find proper means of effectively advertising and marketing their services and products.
Tommy believes in Winston Churchill’s words that a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity and an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
He therefore urges young people to be optimistic and be able to make use of opportunities that come their way no matter how impossible the task might seem. Tommy said in order for one to realise their dreams they need to have faith in themselves and not pay attention to their limitations.
He did his primary at St John’s Primary School and attended Celebration Academy for his secondary education.
He proceeded to Oklahoma University in the United States of America for five years where he attained a degree in Business Studies.
After completing his studies Tommy decided to live his dream of building an organisation which links up business people as well as helping them get the necessary publicity through advertising.
Growing up, the music and sports enthusiast has always wanted to become a successful businessperson. It was therefore a dream come true for him when he built a successful business organisation which helps change and improve things for his fellow business people.
Tommy enjoys playing music during his spare time and also enjoys crocodile hunting, wake boarding and scuba diving.
He was part of the famed gospel outfit Celebration Choir’s latest album – “Singing with the Angels” – along with his other three siblings.
He co-wrote “Rock my World”, which he sang with his brother Jon.
The young entrepreneur believes that the economy is improving and says: “The more we move to the mentality that we have enough for everybody and the more we embrace competition the more our economy becomes stable.”
Tommy recently got married to Rachel.