234# TESTED - The Dream Is Free But The Hustle Comes At A Cost!

This is the FIRST ever return interview done on the podcast! I spoke to Alpesh back in 2014, since then a lot has happened and recently he sold his business in a multi-million dollar deal after "Getting his arse kicked in Africa" (His own words). Here we talk about how he has been TESTED through this process, what NOT to do and the struggles he found "Post Acquisition" when he should have been on could nine in theory.   Alpesh is the essence of a true Entrepreneur. We take risks and we get tested everyday. Born in the Ugandan jungle while his parents were there on safari, Mi- Fone's CEO and Founder is the true meaning of "Indian Blood...African Heart". This original African Indian entrepreneur made a name for himself selling large volumes of mobile devices to the Chinese back in the '90s. In 2008 Alpesh founded Mi-Fone the first African Mobile Devices brand and one of Africa’s first Tech start ups. Prior to Mi Fone, Alpesh was Director of Sales Africa/Middle East for Motorola Inc. Betweeen 2002-2006 Alpesh placed more than 5m devices into the African continent generating revenues upwards of $500m. Whilst at Motorola he realised that the big brands were missing the point and that ultimately Africa was best served by Africans themselves. His 20 years of experience in the mobile business is not to be taken lightly and he is well respected in Emerging markets for his knowledge. He is known to be one of the hardest working people in the African Tech space and is often quoted as "An Innovator, a Disruptor and a true Visionary". Alpesh and the Mi Fone brand have been regularly featured on CNN, Forbes Africa, CNBC Africa and numerous other media. Mi-Fone, a completely bootstrapped operation, has also been the recipient of the Frost & Sullivan 2014 award for "Entrepreneurial company of the Year" as well as a finalist in the African Leadership Network Awards 2015. See www.mi-fone.mobi for more information. In 2012, Alpesh founded OJU, the worlds first Afro Emoticon character brand. OJU received world wide press attention and has garnered numerous awards such as the South African Loeries Grand Prix Digital Winner 2014 and Licensing Expo 2014 “One to Watch” award.