EO Series #12 - Navigating Fear and Burnout: Embracing Self-Compassion on the Entrepreneurial Journey - Diana Geldenhuys

My First Business

How many business owners do you know that start a business because they wanted to be closer to their mother? 👩‍🦳 That’s exactly what Diana did with her 3rd business, Land’s Edge, an eco-tourism and sustainability business focused on self-catering cottages and apartments which lie on the very edge of Africa in a little slow-town. 🏘 But to get here, and to be able to do this, Diana first had to start, grow and acquire other businesses that are the furthest thing from eco-tourism. Diana pioneered HR technology in the Gulf by founding OPS in 2008, steering the business as the region’s specialist in the payroll outsourcing market. She then acquired the Gulf Solutions Group in 2011, with its flagship product gulfHR, where they interface technology and HR solutions, and is known as the preferred HR solution provider in the Middle East. She is undoubtedly the Queen of HR in the region. I had a lot of teasing the wisdom out of Diana, and as I do with all my guests, we travelled to many territories in our conversation. We talked about: 00:00 ▶️ Introduction 15:22 🔨 Early days of building a business and avoiding speeding fines on the way to client meetings 17:05 👩‍💻Glorification of young entrepreneurs, and what that means for older entrepreneurs 33:30 🤝 Diana’s succession plan, and how she is going about it 45:30 🤗Turnabout that made her re-think her thoughts on wealth and happiness 57:56 😩 Burning out and living a whole period of her journey in fear 01:15:30 💼 How we weren’t raised around entrepreneurs, as middle class kids, and how that’s affected our journeys, and our feelings of being imposters 1:46:53 ✨ Beautiful way to think about your legacy and much much more… Diana is an absolute sweetheart, sitting in the room and having a conversation with her felt like cool ocean breeze, and upon re-listening to this episode, I had a ton of goosebump moments as I thought deeper about some of the points she was making - I hope it does that same for you - so, without much further ado, here’s Diana Geldenhuys (KHULL-DAH_NICE) on the EO Series of the My First Business Podcast. Enjoy! --- This episode is brought to you by Entrepreneur’s Organization – U.A.E. The organization also offers a mentorship program that pairs members with experienced business leaders who can provide guidance and support as they grow their businesses. So if you are a business owner, tired of taking on your challenges all alone and are looking for unique networking opportunities along with structured support through accountability groups and mentors, this community is for you. To learn more on how to become a member, visit https://eodubai.com/ or reach out to EO UAE Administrator [e-mail]. Details about the EO membership: https://eodubai.com/member-benefits-new/apply-for-membership-new/ -- Where to find the podcast: ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjrbr87_ZSPICaDoTcCebyw 🎙 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6B5JdkAWrGSd927rZquJz7?si=4802c936a51f418c⁠ 🎙 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/my-first-business-with-naeem-parvez/id1615535576 🎙 Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xOTE1MjA1LnJzcw?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjk_8SnuPD5AhUBGRoKHZ-DAxMQ9sEGegQIARAC Where to find Diana: 💼 ⁠LinkedIn⁠: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-geldenhuys/ 💼 ⁠Business LinkedIn - gulfHR: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gulfhr-gcc 💼 ⁠Business LinkedIn - OPS: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ops-uae/ 📸 ⁠Business Facebook - LandsEdge: https://www.facebook.com/landsedgestruisbaai 🌐 ⁠Business Website - gulfHR: https://gulfhr.ae/ 🌐 ⁠Business Website - OPS: https://ops.ae/ 🌐 ⁠Business Website - LandsEdge: https://www.landsedge.co.za/ Where to find me: 📸 IG: http://www.instagram.com/the.naeem.parvez⁠ 📸 IG: http://www.instagram.com/myfirstbusinesspodcast 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nparvez⁠ 🖥 Website: https://www.nparvez.com