Ashish Thakkar founded his first business in 1996 at the age of 15 with a $5,000 loan.
Small beginnings —
Ashish Thakkar founded his first business in 1996 at the age of 15 with a $5,000 loan.
EWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
From small beginnings, Thakkar built a group of companies which now employs over 11,000 people across 22 African countries.
Early life —
From small beginnings, Thakkar built a group of companies which now employs over 11,000 people across 22 African countries.
Mara Group
But it's not all about business -- Thakkar was the first African to sign up for the opportunity to travel to space with Richard Branson's company, Virgin Galactic.
Thrill-seeker —
But it's not all about business -- Thakkar was the first African to sign up for the opportunity to travel to space with Richard Branson's company, Virgin Galactic.
Thakkar's first business was in I.T. but these days the Mara Group companies operate in a wide range of sectors, including; financial services, manufacturing, technology and real estate.
Diverse portfolio —
Thakkar's first business was in I.T. but these days the Mara Group companies operate in a wide range of sectors, including; financial services, manufacturing, technology and real estate.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images/File
As well as meeting young entrepreneurs, Thakkar works with influential figures across Africa, such as former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose foundation works to advance human security in Africa.
Influential connections —
As well as meeting young entrepreneurs, Thakkar works with influential figures across Africa, such as former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, whose foundation works to advance human security in Africa.
Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation
He is also behind a mobile app called "Mara Mentor" that connects entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders, and encourages business mentoring. He says: "The answer to unemployment is not foreign direct investment or large scale manufacturing plants, etc. It's going to be nurturing small and medium enterprises."
Teaching others —
He is also behind a mobile app called "Mara Mentor" that connects entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders, and encourages business mentoring. He says: "The answer to unemployment is not foreign direct investment or large scale manufacturing plants, etc. It's going to be nurturing small and medium enterprises."
CNN
Thakkar tells other entrepreneurs trying to grow a company that "the persistence, the passion, and staying on course is very crucial. You'll be tempted to cut corners, you'll be tempted to do things that get you there quicker, but it never lasts."
Entrepreneurship 'journey' —
Thakkar tells other entrepreneurs trying to grow a company that "the persistence, the passion, and staying on course is very crucial. You'll be tempted to cut corners, you'll be tempted to do things that get you there quicker, but it never lasts."
Mara Group
"The Indian Tiger and the Chinese Dragon have had their days," says Thakkar. "It's now the African Lion's turn." This is Thakkar's explanation as to why the logo for Mara Group is the African Lion.
'It's our turn' —
"The Indian Tiger and the Chinese Dragon have had their days," says Thakkar. "It's now the African Lion's turn." This is Thakkar's explanation as to why the logo for Mara Group is the African Lion.
Mara Group