Studies consistently show people with entrepreneurial relatives or friends are more likely to start and run a successful business themselves, simply through repeated exposure to how it actually works. If you didn’t grow up around that, the good news is it can still be built deliberately.
Why exposure matters so much
Children who grow up around business owners absorb how deals get made, how setbacks get handled, and who to call for advice, long before they start a business of their own. South Africa’s historically low entrepreneurship levels are partly a legacy of generations who were excluded from business ownership, leaving many people without that role model close at hand.
How to build that network deliberately
Networking remains the most reliable substitute for growing up around entrepreneurs. That means actively asking contacts for referrals rather than hoping opportunities surface on their own, joining structured networking groups, and seeking out a mentor rather than figuring everything out alone.
Where to find that community
Co-working spaces and incubators exist specifically to put founders in the same room as people further along the same path, creating exactly the kind of casual exposure that used to only come from family.
Frequently asked questions
Does having entrepreneurial family members really improve your odds?
Yes, research shows exposure to how small businesses actually work significantly increases the likelihood someone starts and sustains their own.
How can I build that exposure if my family isn’t in business?
Deliberate networking: joining business networking groups, seeking a mentor, and actively asking your contacts for introductions rather than waiting for them.
Do co-working spaces actually help with this?
Yes, they put founders in regular contact with other entrepreneurs, creating the same informal exposure that used to come mainly from family.
Why is entrepreneurship historically lower in South Africa than other Sub-Saharan countries?
Partly a legacy of apartheid-era restrictions on business ownership, which left many families without an entrepreneurial role model to learn from.
Is networking really that effective for finding business opportunities?
Yes, but it works best when approached deliberately, actively asking for specific referrals rather than passively attending events.
Further reading: Why so few entrepreneurs?
Originally published in 2016. Updated September 2026.
