optimizing business
C
IMBO chats with the inspiring innovator sitting on the
Director's chair at OPEN Maboneng.
ontrary to what you’d expect, as
an avid entrepreneur involved
in several businesses, Westleigh
Wilkinson is not your stereotypical
stiff boss at the office. He carries a
light heart and fun charisma that personify his
positive thinking.
Wilkison describes his success as a little bit of
luck – being at the right place at the right time
and relentlessly pursuing opportunities. He
remarks how this comes with the absence of
fear in risk-taking and never letting failures
affect him negatively. It’s important to note that
collaboration for him does not end at work. It’s a
concept he also brings to other areas of his life.
OPEN Maboneng is an office space that
freelancers, corporates and entrepreneurs hire to
co-work in. It consists of boardrooms, offices, topof-the-range equipment and a web conference
area to make businesses more conducive to
productivity. “OPEN is a space where innovation
is forced to go the next level”, says Westleigh.
As for the future, OPEN should become even more
influential. They plan on creating more working
spaces that encourage ecosystems to give people
access to global perspectives – Braamfontein and
V&A waterfront are the first areas where this will
be activated.
He continues to ardently describe it as a creative
platform dedicated to changing mind-sets and
advocating unforeseen collaborations through
the discussion of patent ideas, networking and
the sharing of unexpected resources.
Westleigh describes himself as a conscientious
believer in the power of the mind, an ideal
IMBO shares. We suspect his entrepreneurial
journey will continue to reflect the infectious and
determined businessman he is.
“We’ve definitely achieved our goal for
collaboration as the proximity of skills and ideas
means one can overhear conversations and be
a part of something great”. This has led to the
growth of other businesses such as Legrand, who
have gone on to make their mark in their own
industry.
By Lebo Morake
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IMBO/ ISSUE 31/ '14