I Have a Dream: Zimbabwean Start-ups and the Power of Visionary Goals

 

WELCOME

This is Cain Ndhlovu the founder of Sunrise Start-up Solutions and creator of the three-part free training series for you on Start-up Growth Mastermind. If you haven’t registered for this amazing training yet please click here to do so.

I am a Zimbabwe-based Start-up Growth Consultant and I help early-stage startups, SMEs, established businesses diversifying or entering new markets, NGOs/investors requiring local market insights for projects or entry strategies etc with hyper-local expertise and online product launch services.

All this is primarily aimed at helping start-ups achieve their goals. They may not change the world like Facebook but at least their enterprises can help them buy a house, a piece of land, a dream car, improve their families’ quality of life or make some meaningful difference .

The title "I Have a Dream" evokes the iconic Martin Luther King Jr's famous speech, which ties into visionary goals. Relating this to Zimbabwean start-ups makes sense because having dreams or a vision is key to their success as it is to the success of any serious enterprise – political, religious, or commercial.

About this topic Brian Tracy a goal setting expert says;

The great summary statement of all religions, philosophies, metaphysics, psychology and success is this :  “You become what you think about – most of the time.” Your outer world ultimately becomes a reflection of your inner world, and mirrors back to you  what you think about. Whatever you think about continuously emerges in your reality.

P11 Unlock Your Potential, GOALS ! Brian Tracy

The good news is that many start-ups do have dreams. The bad news is that many start-ups struggle or fail to turn these dreams into reality. Everyone can dream but what makes a difference is turning the dreams to reality. Dreams that continue only as dreams become daydreaming.

Some start-ups resign from pursuing their dreams and thereby deciding to go where ever the wind blows. These start-ups are among the 90% that are said to eventually die. But you can’t be amongst these.

Your dream or vision is the picture of destiny. If you can see it you can do it. Fortunately, Brian Tracy offers principles that are worthy to give heed to because they have helped transform the dreams of many people - they can also do the same for you. Let’s learn more about it.

Introduction
Zimbabwe stands at a crossroads. Amidst economic turbulence—hyperinflation, currency instability, and unemployment—lies a burgeoning ecosystem of startups fueled by resilience and innovation. These ventures, from fintech to agritech, embody the spirit of a nation determined to redefine its future. Drawing inspiration from Brian Tracy’s seminal work Goals, this post explores how Zimbabwean entrepreneurs can harness visionary goal-setting to transform challenges into opportunities. Tracy’s principles—clarity, written goals, actionable plans, persistence, and visualization—are not just strategies but lifelines for startups navigating uncertainty. Let’s embark on a journey to unlock the potential of Zimbabwe’s entrepreneurial spirit.

The Current Landscape of Zimbabwean Startups
Zimbabwe’s startup scene is a microcosm of its society: resourceful, adaptive, and unyielding. With over 90% informal employment, startups offer a beacon of formal job creation and economic diversification. Yet, obstacles like limited access to funding, erratic power supplies, and bureaucratic hurdles persist. Despite this, success stories abound. Econet Wireless, founded by Strive Masiyiwa, emerged from a legal battle to become a telecom giant. Startups like Fresh in a Box (agritech) and Nash Paints (manufacturing) prove that innovation thrives under pressure. The question is: How can more Zimbabwean startups replicate this success? The answer lies in intentional goal-setting.

Section 1: Clarity of Vision – The Foundation of Success
“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” —Brian Tracy

For Zimbabwean startups, clarity begins with understanding the “why” behind their mission. A clear vision acts as a compass, guiding decisions amid chaos. Take Econet: Masiyiwa’s vision to connect Africans drove him to challenge monopolies. Similarly, startups like MwangaMhara (solar energy) focus on solving load-shedding, aligning their goals with community needs.

Action Steps:

• Define your core purpose: What problem does your startup solve?
• Create a vision statement that resonates emotionally.
• Communicate this vision consistently to teams and stakeholders.

Section 2: Written Goals – Transforming Dreams into Reality
“Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines.” —Brian Tracy

Writing goals crystallizes abstract ideas. For Zimbabwean entrepreneurs, this practice is critical. Nash Paints documented its aim to dominate regional markets, leading to strategic partnerships. Startups like ZimPay (digital payments) used written milestones to secure investor funding.

Action Steps:

• Use SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
• Break long-term goals into quarterly targets.
• Review and adjust goals monthly to reflect economic shifts.

Section 3: Action Plans – The Roadmap to Achievement
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” —Brian Tracy

Zimbabwe’s volatility demands meticulous planning. Agritech startup Fresh in a Box mapped out supply chain contingencies during fuel shortages. Similarly, Zimbabwean Fintech Startup Kubatana used phased rollouts to test markets.

Action Steps:

• Identify key milestones (e.g., product launch, user acquisition).
• Assign responsibilities and deadlines.
• Anticipate risks (currency fluctuations, regulations) and create backup plans.

Section 4: Persistence and Adaptability – Navigating Challenges
“Only by contending with challenges that seem to be beyond your strength to handle will you grow.” —Brian Tracy

Persistence is Zimbabwean DNA. Startups like Zimbollar (remittances) pivoted during COVID-19 to offer healthtech solutions. Mukuru evolved from a money transfer service to a full fintech platform by adapting to user needs.

Action Steps:

• Embrace failure as feedback.
• Foster a culture of agility within your team.
• Leverage local networks (e.g., TechZim, ZITF) for support.

Section 5: Visualization and Accountability – Sustaining Momentum
“See things as you would have them be instead of as they are.” —Brian Tracy

Visualization keeps teams motivated. Econet’s Masiyiwa visualized nationwide connectivity before it existed. Accountability partners, like Harare’s Founders Factory Africa, provide mentorship to keep startups on track.

Action Steps:

• Create vision boards depicting startup milestones.
• Partner with incubators (e.g., Muzinda Hub) for accountability.
• Celebrate small wins to maintain morale.

Section 6: Overcoming the Fear of Failure – Embracing Risk
“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable.” —Brian Tracy

Cultural stigma around failure stifles innovation. Yet, entrepreneurs like Tatenda Mungofa of ZimboKitchen turned a failed restaurant into a thriving food delivery app. Normalizing failure as a learning step is vital.

Action Steps:

• Share failure stories openly to destigmatize setbacks.
• Conduct “post-mortems” to analyze mistakes.
• Encourage risk-taking through hackathons and pitch competitions.

Section 7: Balancing Long-term Vision with Short-term Goals
“Your ability to discipline yourself to set clear goals, and then to work toward them every day, will do more to guarantee your success than any other single factor.” —Brian Tracy

Startups like Zimbabwean Edtech Kukura balance solving immediate educational gaps with a vision for pan-African reach. Short-term goals (e.g., user growth) fund long-term aspirations (e.g., AI-driven platforms).

Action Steps:

• Allocate resources to both survival (cash flow) and growth (R&D).
• Revisit long-term goals annually to ensure alignment.
• Leverage short-term wins to attract investors for scaling.

Conclusion: A Call to Action for Zimbabwean Entrepreneurs
Zimbabwe’s startups are not just businesses—they’re the architects of a new national identity. By embracing Tracy’s principles, entrepreneurs can turn dreams into tangible outcomes. Imagine a Zimbabwe where startups drive GDP growth, solve unemployment, and inspire global innovation. This dream is achievable, one goal at a time.

Your Move:

• Write down your vision today.
• Join local entrepreneurial communities.
• Never stop adapting, persisting, and dreaming.

As Tracy reminds us, “The future belongs to the competent.” Zimbabwe’s future belongs to its relentless, visionary entrepreneurs. Let’s build it together.