When James Grcic went looking for funding to start his business, he approached all the banks and venture capital firms he could, with no luck. He was even told that he was an entrepreneur on a three-year high and that he wouldn`t be able to sustain the business. That was in 2004. That same business, Computer Storage Services Africa (CSSI), of which he is the managing director today, is currently turning over in the region of R65 million a year and is firmly placed for substantial future growth.

“I put everything I had up for a loan to finance the business, pretty much including the socks in my cupboard,” says Grcic. “It was difficult because I had no money and no backing in South Africa. And no-one wants to support entrepreneurs, but the challenge became my motivation. The more I battled to get the money, the more intent I was to prove everyone wrong.”

The success of CSSI is a testament to Grcic`s self-belief, perseverance and talent. And he is a man of many talents.