Unemployable

 Unemployable, Alysia Silberg

This is one person’s journey from extreme poverty to Silicon Valley.

 The author grew up poor in late 20^th century South Africa. In the 1950’s, her father was a well-known makeup artist in Hollywood, on a first-name basis with many big stars. He returned home to become a chemist (pharmacist). Dad may have been an optimistic person, always willing to help a neighbor. He wasn’t much of a businessman, frequently refusing payment for prescriptions. Mom, a former dancer who was forced to retire because of injury, resented the constant lack of money. The relationship between them was difficult, at best.

The crime rate in South Africa was very high; car-jackings and robberies were an everyday occurrence. The chemist shop included a costume rental business; Dad used his makeup skills to make people look their best. After Dad died in an auto accident, Mom and the author applied for, and received, Permanent Resident status in Canada. Aside from the Canadian winter, the author thrived in Canada. After five years, Mom wanted to go back to South Africa.

By this time, the author had become a college professor. She met a man named Darren, and they started a successful real estate “flipping” business. That led to starting a digital marketing firm that was very successful. Many worldwide corporations that wanted to enter the South African market went through them. While creating an app that would make things easier for a company’s sales force, the author received a first-hand education in seeking investors and dealing with venture capitalists (VC’s). Now, the author is a VC, helping other new entrepreneurs. She lectures around the world, and is an unofficial UN ambassador.

This is an excellent book. It is very inspirational, and shows that, if you have that entrepreneurial drive inside you, even the most unpleasant upbringing is not an insurmountable obstacle. The book includes a reading list for anyone who needs further inspiration. It’s also very easy to read.