Ajay Wasserman: An Entrepreneur Striving for Maximum Impact
- Entrepreneur
Teagan Cloete
- 0
- 6 minutes read
Ajay Wasserman:
Chief Executive Officer @Fio Capital | International Partner @WBAF | Investor | Registered Financial Services | Mergers & Acquisitions | Africaneur | Global Investments & IPO’s | We Help ENTREPRENEURS Grow ©️
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“I think we are not all born entrepreneurs. Sometimes our environment or situations force us into becoming entrepreneurs.” These words from Ajay Wasserman, CEO and founder of Fio Capital, reflect on a business journey that was not always smooth. Ajay’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited by necessity when financial constraints forced him out of the traditional schooling system. At just 15, he embarked on an apprenticeship as an electrician, and by the age of 17, he boldly ventured into entrepreneurship.
Over the past 15 years, Ajay went on various business ventures. Some that lead to enormous failings, and others that excelled. “Ups and downs give you more momentum that just going on a straight line. And that is what all entrepreneurs should remember; ups and downs make you a stronger entrepreneur. It’s actually lessons that you have learnt.” This realization, paired with a futuristic view of life, as caused Ajay to have no regrets; “I have zero regrets. We live in the now and not in the past.”
With his first business, Ajay had to “be everything” for his company – from the tea-lady to the accountant. Attracting the right people – knowledgeable people – has become one of his cornerstone principles, and one of the things he is most proud of. “Being able to attract all these wonderful people to Fio is one of my biggest accomplishments. Being able to work with all these very smart people, and they’ve got good hearts as well, which is very important for what we want to achieve as a whole.”
Ajay stresses the humility of recognizing one’s limitations and the necessity of continuous learning. “The most important thing for any entrepreneur to remember is that you don’t know everything…If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.”
Passion, according to Ajay, is the fuel that drives entrepreneurial endeavors. Without genuine enthusiasm for one’s work, the long hours and challenges become insurmountable. “You have to be passionate about what you do,” he asserts. “If you are not passionate, you are not going to work 12 hours a day to make your business work.”
For Ajay, success transcends mere financial gain; it encompasses fulfillment and happiness. “Success comes in different forms,” he remarks. “Happiness is the best measure of success.”
While Ajay finds joy in witnessing the growth of others, he acknowledges the responsibility of maintaining their motivation. “The most fun part of my job is to see people grow,” he shares. “The hardest part of my job is to keep people motivated.”
Despite his achievements, Ajay remains humble about his legacy. He prioritizes making a meaningful impact over personal recognition. “I don’t think it’s necessarily important for me to be remembered,” he reflects. “I would just like to have maximum impact while I’m here.”
