Pavlo Phitidis

Pavlo Phitidis

Current title
Chief Executive Officer, Aurik Investment Holdings

Course at Wits Business School
Master of Business Administration, 2000

A defining moment in my career
Late one Thursday night, as I walked past my library, an epiphany struck me. I realised, just then, in that moment, what the purpose of my life was. I realised that every element of my being wanted to be in service of courage, creativity and care, three qualities that revere the human spirit.

I found these qualities manifest in the business owners that I work with today. They have the courage to start and risk everything they have. They have the creativity to do things differently and justify their existence. They have the patience to care and sustain the lonely, challenging journey of building a business.

My passion is in serving them. My purpose is in working with them to build their businesses into wealth producing assets, something I call an Asset of Value. This is a business that can of a day be sold for a premium price. Given that 94.6% of businesses started never get sold, this matters enormously to entrepreneurs. 

As a business owner, you invest and sacrifice deeply to manifest your vision through the business that you build. That successful sale is your legacy. In practical terms, it is also your retirement and dignity.

Similar Posts

  • Wendy Luhabe

    After spending about ten years in corporate South Africa from 1981 to 1991, I was overlooked for a marketing position that became available. The marketing manager would not even allow me to be interviewed.

  • Thando Ntsinde

    The day I gave birth to my son, who is five years old now, was the day my career focus changed. That day I realised that I not only need to talk the talk but also walk it in order to be the example that I want my son to follow.

  • Thabo Mokwele

    WB Yeats said, “Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold,” which holds a harsh lesson for me. I took my radio broadcasting talent for granted. Because it came so easily, I began not to pay it attention and focused on what others considered important.

  • Jerard Scorgie

    In February of 2014, I joined a small consulting organisation as a senior project manager, immediately after I had completed my MBA. The organisation was in a start-up phase, had been in existence for about 18 months and formed part of a global corporation with the aim of establishing regional offices around the globe.

  • Paul Ballen

    The glow of the newly installed blue iridescent Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream logo on the opening of our first the store in The Zone, Rosebank, in December 2015, was a moment that brought with it an understanding of where my career was rapidly moving.