The April Fool Prank that went right – 2014

VaultLife has its international launch 5 April 2014 so when we asked Bryan Pinehro and Donovan Black to pack for Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Nigeria they were none the wiser.

We explained to them that we could not send in the USA sales team. The quote had come back and the American medical aid and emergency evacuation insurances were too expensive. In addition the USA embassy had issued a cautionary to any USA citizen wanting to travel to these three countries.

They looked at us. We continued. .

We told them we would have to send in South African citizens who could take the heat i.e. Bryan and Donovan!

They nodded thoughtfully in our boardroom at 9am on 1 April 2014

Once in the various countries they would have to travel alone. They would be given a large amount of foreign currency that they could use at their discretion to get themselves out of difficult situations on the road. As Ebola, ecoli, yellow fever, malaria and blackwater fever are rife in these countries they needed to have a full set of inoculations before leaving.

They nodded thoughtfully.

They are asked to phone their parents to bring their passports so that we could start the visa applications.

Bryan spoke first. “Mike, I have committed to making 100 calls a day to recruit new VaultLife members. Please ensure that the phone I’m given has international roaming so that I don’t miss my targets while overseas”

Neither of them flinched although their eyes told a different story.

I value loyalty above anything else but I was blown away. These guys had what it takes. They have the passion and they have the vision. Doing business in Nigeria was do-able because they believed in their mission and in their product offering. Wow. Now there are brand ambassadors. The excitement of VaultLife overtook their fear of Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Rwanda. They knew they could tell the story and sell the dream.

At 11:45am they returned to the boardroom and began the visa application process. They filled in page one. They filled in page two. They turned to page three which only had two words ie April Fool.

We all laughed till years ran down our checks but I knew I had witnessed something special. Well done Bryan Pinhero and Donovan Black.

“The lion is the pride of Africa, it imparts inspiration and a sense of awe. It is a touchstone that exists outside of ourselves; something that we can aspire to, something extraordinary that empowers confidence and supernatural belief. Africa without the lion would be just another place…”

My statement taken from the Protecting African Lions Ambassador’s page.

I have taken a special interest in the lion conservation projects facilitated by PAL founded by South African artist Conor Mccreedy . This is because I work too hard, my phone never stops ringing and my email box is always full.

Being part of a laudable venture like PAL takes my out of myself, out of my context and places me where I can stand alone (with my wife Candice) and make a difference. Men in particular have a need to be part of a bigger story; it is good for us and helps us maintain a sense of balance and perspective.

The official launch of PAL will take place at Soho House in New York on 27 September 2013 and I’m proud to be one of the brand ambassadors.

For more information you can visit the Protecting African Lions website . You too can support the cause by purchasing your own PAL bracelet – see below.

The story of Romeo and Juliet outlines what can go wrong when two people fall in love  . . . . . . but it also draws attention to an important and often forgotten detail i.e. that a marriage is also about the joining of two families

Candice and I come from two very different families.
To expect them to bond together without any glue is unreasonable so we set about providing the much-needed glue i.e. a five day wedding extravaganza for the immediate family members.

We also included my six groomsmen and Candice’s six bridesmaids because that’s where we spend our time, either with our families or with our close friends.

We chose Prynnsberg Estate in Clocolan – a 14 bedroom sandstone mansion built in 1881 by the diamond mining magnate Charles Newberry. more »

One of my favourite charities, Ark Animal Centre , has launched an SMS line to help them feed all the homeless dogs and puppies they rescue. Very brilliant and easy way for the public to get involved and help this worthy cause.

SMS “Donate FOOD” to 48949. Each sms costs R10 which will go towards feeding our rescued puppies and dogs and developing our new shelter facilities. more »