Unemployable, Alysia Silberg
This is one person’s journey from extreme poverty to Silicon
Valley.
The author grew up
poor in late 20th 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.
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