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