Meiring finds his sales niche
Alton Meiring’s dislike for small spaces, coupled with his love for houses saw him enter the property rental business when he left football. The former Jomo Cosmos striker was coaching Germiston City FC which campaigns in the Castle League, before that he was employed by Luso Africa FC but personal problems at home led to his exit from coaching.
“I love coaching because it is part of football, which is something big in my life, but my family needed my undivided attention at the time. I resigned as a coach because family comes first, before football,” explained Meiring (pictured). “Since I was a young boy living in a two bedroom house with four other families, it made me want to own a house so that is where my fascination with owning property started. When I started getting money as a footballer I knew exactly what I would spend it on.”
The 43-year-old embraces change and believes in being ahead of the curve so that one can face life’s challenges with an open mind.
Meiring admits that he misses coaching, having freed up his time now that his family has survived stormy seas. While waiting for another coaching gig, Meiring learned about the growing World Wide Web’s influence in everyday life and spotted a business opportunity.
“I thought I should teach myself about the internet and Facebook and things of this nature a few years back because I didn’t have them when I was younger.
“Then I found out that you could sell products and have a shop online and I did research and got in touch with Nuskin, a company based in the USA that sells skin and beauty products and I now sell their products online here in South Africa.”
The serial entrepreneur, he believes it is easier for him to chase his dream of coaching in the top flight league if there is financial security for himself by having different income streams. Meiring plans to start two more businesses in the new year.
“When you are doing something for money it sometimes takes the fun out of it. Another thing is when the end goal is money it can be stressful when it doesn’t come to you. First, you need to do it for the love and the money will follow that. Some of the best players in the world are not thinking of the money – they play and become the very best and money follows. I want to coach and work hard at it, develop players and bring in changes and the money will come from there. Someone will pay me for being dedicated to my work,” explained Meiring.
Meiring revealed that each time he moved to a new club in a different province he saw it as an opportunity to buy a new house that he would later rent out. The former Cosmos forward believes in teamwork.
“Each player in the team needs to be responsible for something and be accountable for it. I was a striker and I had to score, if there are no goals it’s my fault.
“Players need to also learn to feed off each other, know what the players next to you need from you to be at their best.”