Name
Richard Rubenstein

Age
26

Company
Allinterns, since 2006

Website
Visit Homepage

Home
Johannesburg (South Africa)

Education
University degree, graphic design, web design, marketing, communication and P.R. course

Motto
Keep your eyes on the prize

In today’s global economy, businesses are offering their products and services anywhere in the world. Therefore students are more and more eager to go abroad during their study. Internships are a popular way to learn more about another country. As Richard Rubenstein (26) watched students from all over the world visit his home country South Africa, he quickly noticed most students were unhappy with their internship agency. Richard seized his opportunity and set up his own agency, offering students a better internship experience.

A brief overview of what your company does:
We set up internships for students from overseas in Cape Town, South Africa. As well as this we arrange accommodation and trips and tours around our country for the students.

How did you get into business?
I met some interns on a trip up the coast and befriended them. After spending time with them, I found out that they were unhappy with their internships and paid a crazy amount of money to have it arranged for them. I met another interns at the time who shared my feelings and we chatted about setting up our own internship agency but providing a better service as well as keeping it cost effective.

Which achievements are you proud of?
As we are a new company, we have obviously been receiving stiff competition from the other established companies. I sometimes hear that students choosing between us and other companies have gone with the more established company from a result of negative feedback towards us by these established companies. Then when arriving in South Africa these students participate in all our activities and regret their choice as the can see first hand how we operate, what we offer and that the best overall internship experience will be had with us.

Did you run into many obstacles?
We have run into a couple of problems with our rivals but that is to be expected. It’s funny to think that such big and well established companies would have a problem with a little healthy competition. But it hasn’t been too bad so far and we have dealt with it maturely without resorting to any underhandedness …Other then that it’s been a great journey where we have all learnt a great deal.

What differentiates you from other entrepreneurs?
Never thought about this. I would have to say it would be from growing up in Johannesburg, trying some business ideas, then leaving to travel the world. While traveling, I constantly kept an eye on emerging trends and brought back some ideas to South Africa.

What have been the keys in bringing your company to the present level?
Strong communication with clients, advertisers and anyone associated with our development. Also our work ethics are great. We keep a strong balance of working hard and playing hard.

Has your age given you an advantage in getting where you are now?
It has in the sense that I work long hours and involve most of what I do with my business. This business knows no office hours. I also have a lot of continued energy and enthusiasm. But when I started my first business at 16 with a friend, no one took me seriously.

How do you keep yourself motivated to work hard and to get even better at what you do?
I just think about the bigger picture. If you keep your eyes on the prize you shouldn’t falter. Life can be a bit distracting but just remember your goals. Keep focused!

What are the most important lessons you have learned along the way?
Do unto others as you would have done unto you. This is one of my life mottos too. I try and stay true to myself and keep my morals in tact. Otherwise how will I be able to sleep at night?

What is your goal in life?
My goal in life is to spend each day living it like it’s the last. I think I am presenting doing that but I know it will truly happen later in life. Once I am living my dreams it will defiantly feel like I have accomplished that

Who do you get support from?
I get a lot of support from my family and friends. It’s very important to me as this is what keeps me going. These are the people I trust the most and what they have to say about me or my business influences my decisions and ideas

Who are your role-models?
Any entrepreneurs as they are taking that jump into the unknown. But especially people like Richard Branson who didn’t take “you can’t do that” as the final word. He grabbed life by the horns and threw it around.

How important do you consider networking to be?
Networking is my middle name. It’s so important as it leads to so much. You meet people who can help expand your company, provide a new service to you, improve a current service, help with new projects, etc. The list is endless. I network all the time and give everyone a chance. Most ideas people bring to me I investigate and see if something successful can be made from it. I go out a lot and meet many people in all walks of life. You never know what you might accomplish by a chance meeting with someone who thinks like you do.

Apart from running your business, are there any other things you’re passionate about?
Travel. I try to get around as much as possible. If it’s around my city or far off to exotic lands, I love it all.

What would you advise people who dream of doing what you do now?
I know its clichéd but work at your dream and don’t let anyone push you off your path. ‘Trial and error’ is best and also learn by example.

Any websites/ books or other resources you can recommend beginners?
Nope, that’s how those entrepreneurs are making cash. Although having said that, I have read ‘Rich dad, poor dad’ and some biographies from top worldly entrepreneurs. The best is get out there and try it, practical is the best theory you could learn.

What can we expect from you in the future?
I’m looking at starting a worldwide business within the music industry. I don’t want to reveal all the info though…you never know who will read this and take the idea!

Who would you like to be contacted by?
Anyone who has an interesting idea for a business or product.

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 25th, 2007 at 1:42 am and is filed under Articles, Africa, Entrepreneur. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.