In the business world, great victories often emerge from tough battles. Pax Fede Messi’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to this, as he faced numerous challenges. Born in Kinshasa, Pax moved to South Africa to pursue his dreams. His story involves failure, reinvention, and eventual success, leading him from business collapse to becoming a broker of valuable commodities. This is a tale of an underdog who refused to be defeated.
The Genesis of an Entrepreneur
Pax’s story began in Kinshasa, where he grew up in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital. “I was born and raised in Kinshasa, spent most of my life there, graduated, and got my matric,” he recalls with pride. Yet, even with his education complete, he felt the pull to explore beyond the borders of his home country. His dreams were too big to be confined by the limits of Kinshasa, and in pursuit of more opportunities, he moved to Durban, South Africa, to further his studies in business administration.
It was in Durban where the spark of entrepreneurship was lit. “That’s when I started to grow my entrepreneurial spirit,” he shares. Business administration wasn’t just a degree for Pax—it became the gateway to understanding the dynamics of the business world and how he could carve out a path for himself. But like many aspiring entrepreneurs, the road ahead wasn’t as smooth as it first seemed.
Kavfin: The Birth of a Dream and the Pain of Failure
In 2018, Pax, along with his close friend Tony Bimi, founded Kavfin, a small financial services company aimed at offering loans to individuals. “We had this idea to start a financial services company, and that’s how Kavfin was born,” he recalls. But from the very beginning, the venture faced significant challenges. The financial services sector in South Africa was already flooded with established players, and for two young men with limited capital, the odds were stacked against them.
The pair quickly discovered how difficult it was to break into the market. “We started in 2018, and for two years, it was failure after failure,” Pax admits. Loans were being issued, but clients were failing to repay, and the business was bleeding capital. The weight of those losses was heavy, and eventually, the duo found themselves with nothing to show for all their efforts.
“We lost all the capital, the running capital we had,” Pax says, his voice reflecting the weight of the experience. “But that didn’t stop us. That was just part of the journey.”
From Financial Services to Commodities
Despite the crushing setback, Pax and Tony didn’t give up. Instead of folding, they made a bold decision to pivot. “We decided to shift to a different type of business,” Pax explains. They abandoned the financial services model and turned their attention to commodities. “We started to do commodities. We were turning into a brokerage company,” he adds.
The shift was timely. Instead of battling larger competitors in the crowded financial services market, Pax and Tony found their niche in the world of minerals and logistics. The new business model involved sourcing minerals from miners in the DRC and managing the logistics to transport these resources to Dubai, where the demand for such commodities was high.
“This was the first part of our success,” Pax says with a sense of accomplishment. As the business slowly began to grow, Pax realized that they had found a sustainable business model. By 2021, the company had turned a corner. “2021 was a good year,” he reflects. “2022 was a booming year.”
Adapting to Changing Times
As Kavfin grew, so did the landscape of the business. The changing dynamics of the global market, especially post-COVID, presented new opportunities and challenges. “We didn’t have much of an online presence when we started, but now, everything is about referrals from our clients,” Pax notes. Word-of-mouth from satisfied clients became the company’s strongest marketing tool, and business began to pick up steadily.
The world of commodities, particularly mineral trading, is highly selective. Trust and reliability are paramount. “In the field that we are in, it’s very selective,” Pax explains. “If you don’t have a good name, people won’t vouch for you. You won’t get any clients.” Fortunately, Pax and Tony had built a reputation for delivering quality service, and their client base began to expand.
“We mostly deal in commodities, so minerals, mostly, and logistics for moving minerals,” Pax elaborates. Their company acted as a broker, sourcing minerals from miners in the DRC and managing the logistics to Dubai, where they would be sold to large buyers. The company’s growth was driven by its ability to adapt, stay relevant, and always ensure the satisfaction of their clients.
The pandemic altered the global business landscape in ways no one could have predicted, but for Pax, the disruptions created both challenges and opportunities. “In 2020, nothing was happening. But by 2021, things started to pick up,” he reflects. “By 2022, we saw real profits. The landscape had changed, and we had learned how to navigate it.”
For Pax, the pandemic was not just a setback; it was a lesson in resilience and adaptability. With the right tools and strategies in place, he was able to ensure that Kavfin not only survived the crisis but thrived in the aftermath.
Lessons Learned: From Failure to Resilience
Looking back on the early days of his business, Pax emphasizes the lessons learned from failure. “When you start this journey of entrepreneurship, you need to understand it won’t be easy. You will go through a lot of things to finally get it right,” he says. The financial services venture that initially failed didn’t break him; it built him. “It was an experience that forged us to be patient and focused. You learn that you don’t succeed easily, and you need to put in the work to succeed.”
Today, Pax’s business empire operates primarily from the DRC, with a supporting office in South Africa. But it’s not just about business growth; for Pax, it’s also about creating something lasting in his home country. “Most of the business is run from DRC now. We assist from South Africa, but the heart of it is in the DRC,” he says with pride.
Pax Fede Messi’s story is one of transformation. From a small financial services company that failed under the weight of larger competitors to a successful commodities brokerage that is making its mark in the global market, his journey is a testament to perseverance, adaptation, and hard-earned success. But what’s most inspiring about Pax’s story is the recognition that failure isn’t the end. Instead, it’s a stepping stone, a lesson, and a catalyst for something greater.
As Pax looks to the future, his eyes remain focused on new opportunities, innovation, and growth. But for now, he stands proud of how far he has come—a man who came from the streets of Kinshasa, faced defeat, and emerged as a symbol of resilience in the business world.
“Success doesn’t come easy, but it’s worth every struggle,” Pax concludes, his words carrying the weight of a journey well-traveled.
