Diary of an African Entrepreneur
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Leadership & team

Governance Basics

The question

What basic governance can I put in place? How can I get a business mentor. Someone very experienced in different businesses, not necessarily my field.

Asked anonymously

The answer

Opeoluwa Fayomi

CEO, Pullus Africa

Good governance starts with discipline. Keep your business finances separate from your personal finances, maintain accurate financial records, comply with tax and legal requirements, put basic HR processes in place, and keep all important business documents organized. These simple practices create a strong foundation for growth and make your business more credible.

When choosing a mentor, don’t limit yourself to your industry. Look for someone who has built successful business or has a great working experience, shares your values, and is genuinely willing to invest in your growth. Follow them on social media to understand how they think and what they stand for, attend events where they speak or participate, and, if possible, ask for a warm introduction through someone in your network. The right mentor will challenge your thinking, share lessons from experience, help you avoid costly mistakes and also help you expand your network where needed.