Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
AN award-winning businesswoman and motivational speaker has challenged people to build generational wealth through involving their children in business.
Grace Musandirire said this while celebrating her 50th birthday yesterday, urging people to consider investing their business starting with their families.
She encouraged those living in diaspora to invest in the country and build generational wealth.
She lamented people who fail to take over their parents’ businesses when they retire.
‘‘Many dreams are left on the drawing board when our fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers sacrificed their lives to be masters of our inheritance,’’ said Grace.
‘‘As we celebrate Heroes Day next month, lets reminds each one of us that we have to build generational wealth in our motherland.
‘‘You might take children to study abroad or work in other countries but when it comes to investment, think of your home and country first.
‘‘As for the three companies, my husband, my children, in-laws and grandchildren are involved.
‘‘This is what we mean by building generational wealth, we must not start businesses that do not continue to grow upon our death or old age.
‘‘Zvekunzi aenda nemabhizinisi ake hazvina kunaka.
‘‘Let us involve our children for continuity, train them, allow some to do short courses to enhance their knowledge for better results.
‘‘If you come at the Graceland Waters Resort, the kitchen is run by my daughter, the Fisheries by my son in-law and swimming area by my granddaughter.
Grace stressed the need to embrace information technology, noting that her granddaughter is already engaging in entrepreneurial activities at a young age.
‘‘My grand daughter has already started to sell some cakes, count money at a tender age, that is training them to manage.
‘‘We do not want a situation where children fail to fit in their parents’ shoes following their death.
‘‘Some businesses start strong but fade fast.
‘‘Our children helps us in technology challenges. Such knowledge must be harnessed, make use of it in our businesses,” she said.
She believes that businesses should be built to thrive beyond the founders’ lifetimes.
‘‘Let us take an example of Simon ‘Chopper’ Chimbetu, he was among the liberation fighters, he is our hero, he invested in music industry.
‘‘After his death, Suluman is doing well to uphold the legacy of our hero Simon Chimbetu.
‘‘He will do much better if he starts to train his sons and daughters to play music, that is the building of generational wealth I am talking about.
‘‘We need to defend our inheritance, develop our families and the nation.
‘‘God gave us natural resources, the grace and power to work and prosper.
‘‘Let us emulate our country, respect those who fought to liberate us and express our joy by being productive starting from our homes,’’ she said.
Grace, a member of the United Methodist Church, commended her husband Webster Musandirire, 59, for teaching her how to start a business that helps not only the family but the nation at large.
‘‘My church mates are also keen to learn from my success, and I am not ashamed to share with them my living testimonies,’’ said Grace.
Grace and Webster Musandirire advocate for a proactive approach to building generational wealth through education, family involvement, and strategic financial practices.
Their story serves as an inspiration for many, highlighting the importance of legacy and community in business.
‘‘Beginnings are easy; follow-through is the challenge, the secret is in formalising every business to succeed,’’ said Webster.
‘‘Government introduced a number of programmes to help everyone by opening some banks designed for small to medium enterprises as well as for youth and women,’’ said Webster.
‘‘We learnt a lesson together with my wife when we lost some dollars trying to do business in a short cut means.
‘‘We approached bank officials, they asked us to register our business and asked us to bring the quotation and where we wanted to supply our orders.
‘‘They refused to take my vehicle worth US$3000 for security urging me to give details of my supplier.
‘‘The bank paid my supplier through an account, and I received my goods and supplied it to my client without handling money.
‘‘This happened because I had registered my business, been paying tax an issue being evaded by many who want to prosper.
‘‘If you fail to have proper documents as is required by law, you will lose more than what you think and also remain to the business position you started at.
‘‘The thrill of starting does not guarantee completion,’’ said Webster.
‘‘It is disheartening to note that some of our fellow businesspeople lost faith in the banking sector which facilitated their growth.
‘‘They are feeding armed robbers daily by keeping large volumes of money at homes and business premises.
‘‘As for what my wife was emphasising about building generational wealth, our clients are now familiar with our children, and they can continue to support them when we retire.
‘‘As for now, our business is among those promoting domestic tourism to satisfy our own people,’’ said Webster.
