Q1: Why choose Entrepreneurship?
Accouche: My entrepreneurial journey began in September 2019, upon learning about a global problem that is – Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. Should the problem of IUU fishing remain unresolved, at this rate Seychelles and all other coastal nations around the world are in danger of facing a complete depletion of fish stock in the next 30 years. Therefore, I decided to take matters into my own hands in coming up with a more effective, comprehensive and cost-effective solution to the problem.
Q2. What does entrepreneurship mean to you personally?
Accouche: I am a creative person at heart and a problem-solver, I saw an opportunity to bring about genuine positive change to the world around me and to myself. I have never really had a career passion as I was growing up all the way up to high school. Entrepreneurship for me is a means by which I can satisfy my inner innovativeness and creative nature and channel my energy in doing something constructive, meaningful and impactful.
Q3: What obstacles did you encounter along the way and what are your thoughts towards them?
Accouche: Funding was and remains the most challenging part for WonderWeiss but we have full confidence that we will overcome this trial through determination, hard work, negotiations, and networking. We also had minor problems with managing our team, as we had grown to a level whereby we had at least 30 members. However, we overcame that through good communications, transparency and flexibility in the way we operate, team building activities and refocusing on our final Objective. Trying to develop a tech Start-Up here in Seychelles, that has the potential to compete with corporate giants within the region and even the rest of the world, is a monumental task. However, this actually serves as motivation for us. We wish to prove that such an undertaking can be achieved against all the odds. All these challenges has helped me grow both as a person and as an entrepreneur.
Q4: What advice can you offer to future Seychellois Entrepreneurs?
Accouche: I encourage more entrepreneurs to dare to dream big, have no fear, but remain realistic in your approach and plan strategically. The most important factor, is the need for local entrepreneurs to realize that we’re in this together, and to help each other out, so that we can all benefit and prosper together.