While the world seems to be dominated by a generation of young, successful entrepreneurs, we too often forget to shine a light on the older generation who have taken calculated risks to see their own dreams to fruition.
Sure, Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook when he was only 19. But we overlook the fact that Charles Flint started IBM when he was 62!
When one speaks of an Entrepreneur or walks around the conferences during Global Entrepreneurship Week, the image that springs to mind is a young millennial donning his man-buns, sipping expensive lattes, wearing a simple hoodie and jeans; MacBook under the arm.
In light of entrepreneurship month, here at Eezy Developments, we thought we would share the thoughts and musings of our founder and the brains behind the innovative EezyFile App.
Being a partner in a manufacturing wood company followed by building up his own manufacturing stone company for the past 19 years, Friedel Weihe had an entrepreneurial spirit coursing through his veins.
However, it was only later in life that his penchant for having his own tech startup become a reality when he took the plunge and started Eezy Developments, launching the EezyFile app in September this year.
As a busy entrepreneur with assets and vehicles and many interests, Friedel had a distinct dislike of paperwork and wanted to find a way to simplify his life. He realized that there was a huge gap in the market for a simple filing system using images rather than documents – a simple way of using one’s phone to document essentials or things of interest. He wanted to avoid trying to find images by scrolling through a vast sea of gallery memories or interests. From this need, Eezyfile was born.
The app allows the user to capture images that are customized to their specific needs, for example, sport, food, travel, assets, warranties, personal info, health, décor, pet records to name some interests shared by many. The app can also create reminders of expiration, for example, gym contracts, warranties, pet vaccinations and a powerful search engine to locate file images and notes with instant ease.
At first, many people wondered why he had ventured into the realm of tech startups when he should have been focusing on his retirement, and slowing down.
His retort, “I think there is a general misconception that entrepreneurship is for the youth. Entrepreneurship is based on a unique idea that brings innovation and meets a demand in the market. As such, there is nothing in the definition of entrepreneurship that says that after a particular age one cannot be an entrepreneur. In fact, my passion is creating and I personally think retirement ages one and a sense of purpose invigorates one”.
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While the world seems to be dominated by a generation of young, successful entrepreneurs, we too often forget to shine a light on the older generation who have taken calculated risks to see their own dreams to fruition. Sure, Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook when he was only 19. But we overlook the fact that Charles Flint started IBM when he was 62!
According to Friedel, starting his tech venture a little later in life has its advantages; from his previous work experience from building roads in Uganda to building harbours in Pakistan and restoring beautiful barns in the UK, he gained many invaluable hard lessons and discipline before starting his own successful manufacturing business.
“You can’t shortcut this life experience,” he imparts.
“I feel that as an older entrepreneur and tech startup founder, I have an edge. I’ve learned business tactics throughout the years, interacted with investors, and most importantly, saved the capital to start Eezy Developments. Where I may want in youthful energy, I make up for my experience.”
“With age comes wisdom and I believe that my many years of experience in the business world have given me a foundation for my vision – to simplify our lives!”
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