Full Name: Jowell Tobias

Position and Company Name: CEO of Black Star Minerals

Main Activity of the Company: Engineering works, fabrication and project mining

Date and Place of Birth: January 3, 1976

Education: BCom (accounting), University of the Free State (UFS), 2003; MBA (general management), UFS School of Management, 2006

First Job: Trainee accountant, Coetzeesmit Chartered Accountants, 1998 to 2002

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 500 a month

Value of Assets under Your Control: R50-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 52

Management Style: A consultative style that allows colleagues to contribute and express their views on key issues and challenges

Personal Best Achievement: Making a switch from full-time employment to being self-employed

Person Who Has the Biggest Influence on Your life: My wife, Johanna, who has entertained my flights of fancy and supported my endeavours

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: During my early development, it was Lorna van Rooyen, under whom I did my articles – she is the most patient person I know; later on, Latief Kimmie shaped my thinking about key challenges

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Professor Johnathan Jansen

Philosophy of Life: Luck favours the prepared

Biggest Ever Opportunity: To do my articles at Coetzeesmit Chartered Accountants

Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not having ventured on my own sooner

Hope for the Future: To build a sustainable profitable business

Favourite Reading: The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand

Favourite TV Programme: Suits

Favourite Food/Drink: A good home-cooked meal and ginger beer

Favourite Music: 80s R&B, jazz and rock

Favourite Sport: Soccer

Hobbies: Woodwork

Car: BMW 3 Series

Pets: None, but we had a dog named Brakkies

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Adults driving with children that are not strapped in and people throwing garbage out of a moving vehicle

Children: Jody, 11; Yorick, 24; Angelique, 26

Clubs: Jogging club