Entrepreneur’s new life built on hard work

Flying too close to the sun could get anybody’s wings scorched and lead to their downfall, but new found humility and integrity helped local entrepreneur Christiaan van Schalkwyk to get back up after the fall.
In an interview with Polokwane Obser­ver, he starts off by acknowledging that he made mistakes and hurt people in the past. “I also want people to know that failure is not the end of the world,” he says.
Van Schalkwyk started his career with a small audio business, Audio Corporation, in the corner of his father’s store. “I was passionate about music and technology and found a niche market where I successfully targeted musicians.” Within a few years the business grew in such a way that he was able to take over and expand his father’s business.
“Being young, successful and wealthy was wonderful. I was proud of the fact that I followed in my fathers and grandfather’s footsteps and never gave the fact that it took them many years to build up their businesses to heart,” Van Schalkwyk explains.
While his company grew, the young businessman fell in love, got married and had two beautiful daughters. He bought a beautiful home and lived a life of apparent success. However, this was not to last. “My lack of maturity meant that my success went to my head. I made terrible mistakes that cost me everything dear to me, including my self respect and my marriage. The business almost went under and the people who worked for me had to pay the price too,” he says.
With the business reduced to a fraction of its size, Van Schalkwyk had to start over. “I had to grow up fast and get to the stage where I could admit that the only one to blame for my situation was me. Once I realised this truth, I was able to re-focus and begin to repair the damage I had caused.”
He explains how he had to clean up the messes he made in his personal and business life. Although it was a lengthy, costly and painful process, Van Schalkwyk slowly rebuilt his company. “It was a slow, but healthy process,” he says. Today Audio Corporation is growing steadily and Van Schalkwyk believes that it will be the great company it once was. ‘We offer something special and have a variety of products that appeal to a wider market. We remain competitive and should we not have a specific product in stock, we will source it for the client,” he says.
His personal life has also taken a turn for the better. “I am married to a wonderful woman. We met when I had nothing and grew together. She is the love of my life and we have a baby daughter. My daughters from my previous marriage are part of our lives and I also love my wife’s son dearly. I am blessed to have the love of these children.”
Van Schalkwyk is positive about the future. “I love my family, my business and my life. Most important, I love where we are heading. I am at peace and know that everything happens for a reason.”

Story: MARKI FRANKEN
>>marki.observer@gmail.com