Dan Sanele, Head of Account Management, Talks Funding Your Dream
What are the top three things on your bucket list?
I dream of taking the family back to my roots and visiting the islands of Samoa & Niue, where my parents were born. Learning more about my mother tongue, the language(s) of our origins. Engaging with my children in our mother tongue would be such a highlight.
I would also love to share the joy of visiting Disneyland with my children for the first time – what parent doesn’t?…
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
Grab every opportunity that arises and don’t fear failure – take risks and challenge yourself, you might be surprised.
How do you stay motivated?
My family! Remembering my parents’ journey and the struggles they went through to provide a better life for their family, fuels my drive and determination to succeed in all aspects of life.
My partner often says “what would you want your kids to do in this situation?” A simple statement that truly resonates with me and encourages me to push myself out of that comfort zone.
What is the secret to success?
There should be no secret to success. Surround yourself with those you love and also those that you can learn from. Be kind, be humble, and be prepared to work hard! Last of all, have fun!
What is the worst mistake you’ve made and how did you fix it?
Taking too long to propose to my significant other. A work in progress… I suspect I will have to grovel at her feet after a 14-year delay, including raising our two children and allowing me to focus on my career. A great example of learning from past failures – don’t procrastinate!
What is your advice for people to fund their dream?
I would break it down into two simple goals – short term & long term.
Short-term: Familiarise yourself with Crowdsourcing & Crowdfunding, if you have a brilliant idea that you need assistance with getting it off the ground.
Long-term: Get smarter with your money. Educate yourself in finances wherever possible – budgeting, saving, investing.
Save as soon as you can. Invest, let it sit there, and watch it grow!
What is the best bit of advice, or quote, that resonates with you?
“Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” – A good mate