Back in his hometown of Uitenhage, South Africa, LSU senior swimmer Frank Greeff spent his Saturdays and Sundays watching business documentaries.
He was interested in how big corporations operated, how the money circulated through the economy and how certain materials were established.
Whether he was earning pocket change from doing chores, or turning a profit from washing friend’s dishes, Greeff remained fixed on “cashing out” in any and every opportunity.
“Everyone wants to make money,” Greeff said. “As a kid, you always want to have that extra money. For me, I always liked spending money and going on spending sprees. I love buying new stuff. I think it was just that desire to have money in [my] pocket.”
Dating to his time back at home, Greeff owned and operated an ice cream business, a magazine delivery business and even a rabbit farm.
Greeff began his rabbit farm business after he frequently found stray garden rabbits on his lawn. Completing easy tasks like cleaning cages and refilling feeders, Greeff groomed the animals to ensure they would be ready to be claimed by aspiring owners. His continued success led him into his favorite business of the three, the magazine venture.
Greeff’s friend, who was affiliated with South Africa’s top magazine brand, Huisgenoot, asked him to take over his position with the company because he was going away for college. Every Monday for two to three hours, Greeff would deliver 200 to 300 magazines to 150 clients who subscribed to publications like Sports Illustrated, People Magazine and Men’s Health.
Greeff said he enjoyed his time delivering magazines, extensively learning the specifics of handling money and keeping track of records. He also recalled several instances where customers would reward his services by inviting him into their homes for drinks and Christmas presents.
Though his teammates know little about Greeff’s business aspirations, he keeps his fellow LSU schoolmates in mind.
“I was talking with my friends [recently] about starting a golf cart system on campus,” Greeff said. “The buses only take you to a certain bus stop, [whereas] the golf carts can take you to from your Class A to the front door of your next class. I spend a lot of time studying and reading my books, and sometimes I bounce ideas off the wall.”
For Greeff, business is the idea of taking something and making it profitable. He said people can become billionaires by taking a small idea and expanding on it.
Having such a business-oriented mind has motivated Greeff to be creative, proactive and assertive obtaining the things he wants. He said he hopes his drive and determination, along with the steady support from family and close friends, will ultimately place him in his dream job as a general or finance manager of a major sports franchise.
“I think the biggest thing [I learned] was ‘If you have a goal, go for it,’” Greeff said. “What this mindset has taught me is to never be afraid to go out and do what you want to do. I always had that passion to do something. It doesn’t have to be a new bright idea, [but] something small you enjoy doing because it’s definitely easier.”