Priscilla Msimanga made the leap that so many dream of, yet few are willing to make: leaving a big corporate role and shifting into the grinding world of entrepreneurship. To add to the intrigue, she bought a Shell forecourt and stepped into specialist retail.

From managing staff to complying with petroleum regulations, the learning curve was steep. Drawing on her corporate experience, her love of sales and her passion for service, Priscilla rolled up her sleeves and did everything – from pumping fuel to serving food.

And yes, that means there’s a food truck to go with this great story!

On episode 7 of The Finance Ghost Plugged in with Capitec, Priscilla tells us more about her leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship.

Episode 7 covers:

• Her corporate background and why she wanted to do something of her own

• How she prepared before leaving corporate

• Finding the right forecourt to buy

• The retail strategy of a forecourt and adapting to local consumer tastes

• Why hands-on involvement matters for success

• An honest look at the short-term financial impact of leaving corporate and starting a business

• (00:00:00) - How to start a business in South Africa
• (00:01:28) - Going From Corporate to Entrepreneur
• (00:05:06) - Making the decision to leave corporate life
• (00:07:54) - How to start a petrol station from scratch in South Africa
• (00:13:22) - What was the biggest challenge in running a petrol station?
• (00:19:38) - How to start a business in Nigeria
• (00:22:51) - Inside the Food Truck
• (00:24:49) - How does a fuel shop make money?
• (00:29:16) - Startup Money: How do you balance your finances?
• (00:33:37) - Dancing Off The Corporate Runway
• (00:36:03) - The Alchemist