Phillip Mostert:
Failures are foundations for success
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Audio Title: Phillip Mostert: Faliurs are foundations for success
Description: “The future of local economies, and global economies, lies in the hands of entrepreneurs, and that’s what excites me most.” As Vice President of Fio Capital, Phillip Mostert lives for the thrill of entrepreneurship—the rush of watching an idea take root, grow, and transform communities.
“The future of local economies, and global economies, lies in the hands of entrepreneurs, and that’s what excites me most.”
As Vice President of Fio Capital, Phillip Mostert lives for the thrill of entrepreneurship; the rush of watching an idea take root, grow, and transform communities.
For Phillip, entrepreneurship isn’t just about profit; it’s about possibility. “That’s the true part of entrepreneurship that excites me: creating opportunities for other people.”
Whether it’s a small start-up or an established venture, he finds deep satisfaction in seeing businesses employ more people, innovate, and contribute to broader economic health.
Yet the road to success has been anything but smooth.
Phillip openly admits, “I’ve literally been bankrupt several times, which I am not proud of.”
In an interview with Fio Media, Phillip shared about his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting how failure often lays the groundwork for success;
Phillip Mostert
VP, Fio Capital Family Office • G20 WBAF Senator Building Africa's Next Movement | Purpose-Driven Scale Anchored in Faith, Built for Impact
The early years
In his early days, his bulldog tenacity often tipped into recklessness: too eager to launch and lacking the wisdom that comes from experience. “Not taking coincidence, not knowing better, making mistakes and learning the hard way” became his rite of passage.
Those hard-earned lessons drove home the importance of lifelong learning.
Reflecting on his younger self, he says, “A low point in my life would definitely be that I didn’t realise the importance of education when I was younger. I was too eager, too aggressive, to get out there and run a business.”
Now well into his fifties, Phillip still “keeps on studying,” having read over a thousand biographies and counting. “Learning new stuff, staying with the trend of the day, is important, and I encourage every entrepreneur out there today to take it seriously.”
Central to Phillip’s philosophy is leadership built on trust and cooperation. “Leaders need to be trusted.” Genuine relationships form the bedrock of effective teams.
“They have to cultivate a mindset of cooperation, and a willingness amongst people, be it the lowest-earning employee or the highest. We are all people.”
– Phillip Mostert
Equally vital is humility: “Leaders themselves need to listen—listen to their people. People who are there because they want to be there, not because they have to be there.”
Phillip credits his own development to the many role models he’s encountered along the way. His mother stands as his most celebrated inspiration, yet Phillip looks for lessons in everyone he meets, believing that greatness can spring from the most unexpected sources.
“Life has taught me that we are surrounded by role models. These role models do not necessarily need to be wealthy or successful.”
– Phillip Mostert
Ultimately, Phillip hopes his legacy will reflect more than just business success. “I hope people will be able to celebrate my life as somebody who’s made a difference in their lives.” That, he says, is the true measure of his journey: “Seeing a startup and a business grow from a mere thought to a flourishing company—where people are employed, management takes over, and the company becomes bigger and better—it’s more than a thrill; it’s satisfaction.”
Teagan specialises in Copywriting, Public Relations, Social Media Marketing and Blogging. Teagan uncovers the deeper “why” behind every venture. She believes that every person and project has a unique story, and nothing excites her more than transforming these narratives into compelling content that demands to be shared with the world.
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