What do silkworms, garden gnomes, clothing, casinos, and sailing all have in common? They’re all part of the adventurous journey of Cedric Brown, who joined Training Portal for an inspiring podcast about entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and living with purpose.
Early entrepreneurial spark
Cedric’s first taste of business came in school when he sold silkworms. Later, he launched a small garden gnome factory to earn his Cub Scout entrepreneurial badge. “I realised if I want more, I have to do more,” he said. The thrill of making his own money ignited a lifelong entrepreneurial spirit.
Learning through business and failure
After working in clothing retail during varsity, Cedric gained hands-on experience in purchasing, shop fitting, and even window displays. But his first big step into business, launching a clothing company in Bloemfontein, wasn’t the success he hoped for.
“It was way too fast for Bloemfontein. The clothing was great, but we did not hit the target market. That was a very big lesson in life. It taught me everything I shouldn’t be doing.”
From there, Cedric explored diverse ventures, including casinos and even a fish-and-chips shop in Kimberley. Each step, whether success or setback, added to his practical wisdom as an entrepreneur.
Adventure as a way of Life
For Cedric, adventure and business go hand in hand. “If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough,” he shared. “A person without a goal is just plodding along. You are supposed to set yourself a goal, a dream.”
This philosophy eventually led him to one of his greatest adventures: sailing. After years of talking about it, a friend challenged him to stop dreaming and start doing. They bought and prepped a boat in Durban, proving that sometimes you simply must set sail before everything feels perfectly ready.
Looking ahead
Turning 60 gave Cedric another moment of reflection. “I looked back on what I’ve done between 50 and 60 and realised there comes a time in life that you must make sure you do things in a way that will not break you. I’ve made a new list of life goals that I’m now ticking off.”
Cedric’s story is one of courage, resilience, and constant reinvention, reminding us that life, like sailing, requires setting a course and being brave enough to adjust the sails along the way.
🎧 Watch the full podcast with Cedric Brown to hear more about his entrepreneurial lessons, his adventures, and how to live boldly with purpose.
You can also tune in on Spotify to The Training Portal Podcast:
Want to connect with more education changemakers?
Stay inspired. Subscribe to the Training Portal Podcast and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more conversations with South Africa’s most impactful leaders, visionaries, and change-makers.