Founder and CEO of Horseman Shoes, Tonyi Senayah, has urged aspiring entrepreneurs to move beyond the excitement of starting a business and focus on the discipline, structure, and long-term thinking required to build something sustainable.
Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University, with host Pastor Albert Ocran, as part of the new April series on The Entrepreneurial Mindset, he made it clear that while passion may spark the journey, it is not what sustains it.
“Passion is a good starting point, but as you grow, you must shift from just mastering the craft to learning the numbers as well. If it is only about money, the first four or five years, you will not survive. You must have a greater reason for doing what you do, and when you do it right, the money will start looking for you,” he said, stressing that many young people misunderstand what it truly takes to build a business.
Drawing from his early experience, Mr. Senayah recounted how excitement without proper planning nearly derailed his journey when he began taking large orders without understanding cash flow realities. He explained that delayed payments, coupled with financial commitments to suppliers and workers, created intense pressure that forced him to confront the gap between perceived profit and actual business sustainability.
“I was excited about the orders and calculated my profits upfront, but I did not consider that clients would delay payment. I had taken money from people, made commitments, and when the money did not come, it became a very difficult period. That experience taught me the importance of understanding the numbers and being truthful even in hard times,” he said, adding that integrity and honest communication became his lifeline during that season.
He emphasised that entrepreneurship is not built on hype but on solving real problems, noting that not every passion translates into a viable business. According to him, the ability to identify gaps and provide value is what separates lasting businesses from short-lived ventures.
“Business is about solving problems for people. Identify the pain points and the value you can offer. Not every passion is viable, but when you solve a real problem, people will pay for it,” he noted, urging young entrepreneurs to pay close attention to the needs of their immediate environment as a starting point for building solutions.
Mr. Senayah also challenged the rush for quick success, advocating for a deliberate approach that allows room for learning and growth. He maintained that starting small is not a weakness but an advantage, as it gives entrepreneurs the space to make mistakes early and build resilience before scaling.
“When you start small, you have the room to make mistakes and learn. If you make those mistakes early, your chances of survival are higher. There is no shame in failing. You just have to learn from it and move forward,” he said.
He dismissed the notion of waiting for the perfect moment, describing it as one of the biggest traps for potential entrepreneurs. He encouraged decisive action backed by conviction, rather than prolonged hesitation.
“There is no right time. If you keep waiting for the perfect moment, it may never come. Once you have the conviction, just start. You will face challenges, but you must always find a way to keep going,” he said.
He cautioned against the growing culture of appearances and shortcuts. According to him, sustainable success is built on truth, humility, and a willingness to learn continuously. “Be true to yourself. When you are struggling, let people know. Do not pretend. Learn, stay humble, and keep improving. Always start small, be consistent, be patient, and never give up,” he advised.
About Springboard, Your Virtual University
Springboard, Your Virtual University, is a weekly motivational and personal development broadcast produced by the Springboard Road Show Foundation and hosted by Pastor. Albert Ocran. The broadcast airs every Sunday at 7 PM on Joy 99.7 FM and on Springboard Channel & Albert Ocran (Facebook & YouTube) and at 9 PM on Joy News TV. The discussion formed part of the new April series dubbed “The Entrepreneurial Mindset.”
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