In 2021, I received my first-ever business award. At the time, I didn’t even know there were things called business awards.
All I knew was hustle. Sales. The grind. Corner Julius Nyerere and Robert Mugabe. Vendor life.
But suddenly, I got a call:
“Congratulations! You’ve been selected for an award.”
Just like that, I was invited to a beautiful ceremony. I wore my best suit. Walked in with pride. And left with not one—but two trophies in one night.
I was so excited. I thought, “Ndasvika. I’ve made it!”**
I thanked the organisers. Took pictures. Posted on social media. I even cried a bit (silently).
That night changed something in me.
They say your network is your net worth. And that night proved it.
I met people I still do business with today. I shook hands. Got numbers. Closed deals. In fact, I used that award to launch a serious social media footprint.
That momentum helped me sell my first book, The Chartered Vendor, which has now sold over 15,000 copies.
So yes—business awards can help. They opened doors for me.
But then came 2022.
That’s when the award tsunami hit Zimbabwe.
Suddenly, everyone was giving out trophies. Every month there was a new “Top 30 Under 30” list. New magazines. New platforms. New “entrepreneurs of the decade” being announced every other week.
Something didn’t feel right.
So I started to investigate…
That’s when I discovered the dark side.
Yes, the early organisers were genuine. They followed process. Checked your impact. Looked at your work.
But the new wave? They were in it for money.
No criteria. No data. Just vibes and full tables.
Buy a table? Get an award. Be popular? Get a medal. Bring 10 friends? Welcome to the stage, Young Industrialist of the Year.**
The day I gave up on awards was the day I saw:
A guy win Entrepreneur of the Year*
- — with no office, no team, and no product.
Another event? An attachee (yes, an intern!) from a big company that had bought a full table… won Marketing Manager of the Year.
That’s when I said, “Enough.”****
So, should you attend business awards as a young entrepreneur?
Here’s my answer:
Yes—but be smart.****
Because awards can be:
✅ A networking opportunity ✅ A confidence booster ✅ A great marketing tool ✅ A door-opener for deals
But…****
They can also be:
❌ A popularity contest ❌ A cash cow for organisers ❌ A false sense of success ❌ A distraction from the real work
So what can we do better?****
If awards are here to stay—and they are—then let’s make them better:
-
Set clear, public criteria
-
Start tracking from January, not October
-
Measure real data: profits, jobs created, growth, innovation
-
Recognise impact, not just Instagram followers
Because if we do this right, business awards can become a tool to motivate real excellence, not just decorate empty suits.****
Don’t let a trophy fool you. A gold statue doesn’t mean your business is solid. Some of the best founders in this country are too busy building to collect certificates.
Celebrate your wins. Attend events. But remember—no award is bigger than your mission.
Build with depth. Not just for applause. But for impact. For legacy. For the future of Zimbabwe.
#ZimAwardsStory #BuildBeforeBragging #RealEntrepreneurship #LessonsFromTheStreet #FromVendorToVisionary #NoAwardCanReplaceResults #TheCharteredVendor #MbareToTheWorld
