Olamide Babajide: I maintained my 9-5 job and built my dream during weekends
Thirty-five years old Olamide Babajide holds a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Engineering and has a Certificate for Building Sustainable Social Enterprise from Middlesex University. She worked in the Information Technology sector for seven years occupying various positions and her last designation was to manage West African region for a multinational IT distribution company. She has over ten international certifications in Information Technology and Audit (CCNA, CCDA, CSSE, CISA…). She founded Pearl Recycling in 2016 to solve the problem of waste and provide affordable, eclectic and sustainable furniture to Nigerians. A Tony Elumelu entrepreneur fellow, she won the WIMBIZ impact competition in 2016 and was named by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as one of the 100 Tech-women Emerging Leaders which gave her opportunity to intern at Silicon Valley with Symantec. In 2017, she was selected by LEAP Africa as a social innovator and she is currently working to provide waste remodeled, eco-friendly, ergonomic classroom chairs for public schools. Olamide is on the mission to make the environment safe, reduce deforestation, encourage decent living condition and provide jobs for the unemployed. [bctt tweet=” I never had fear while starting because I have always believed in failing forward…” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How did you transit from a high paying job to become a social entrepreneur? I didn’t take a quick dive; I maintained my 9-5 job and worked on my dream during weekends. I had time to plan, analyze and test the market before starting fully. What that did for me was to make me understand people’s point of view about my products, what they really want to be compared to what I thought they want and how to strike a balance to make demand-driven products. Immediately, I got that figured out, I decided to quit in other to actualize my dream. I never had fear while starting because I have always believed in failing forward and I told myself when I fail, I will pick up the lessons and move on. I wasn’t really afraid and I realized that the reason why most people fail is that they listen to the outside noise and against the inner voice, so immediately I was at peace with my inner voice I blocked out the outer noise of people asking if I was stupid to give up such promising job for uncertainty and I just went for my dream. Your work has been featured in international media platforms, what level of impact has this exposure brought to your organization? It has brought tremendous impact and topmost on the list is the sensitization that came along with it. It’s a different ball game when you are starting a new niche in a country that has a conservative mindset about waste. Trying to re-orientate people to see waste as something enticing is actually hard in Nigeria but the international exposure and features brought awareness and a bit of acceptance which was all we need to forge ahead. The good part is, immediately we had our first interview by Reuters, Washington Post, and Aljazeera took it up and local channels also came in and that gave us impressive local visibility. [bctt tweet=”Once you have a clear vision and mission and impressive strategy, money will find you.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] With the level of exposure you’ve encountered so far, what advice will you give to your younger self in retrospect and your future self? If I had asked my younger self the most important question of “What would I do if I wasn’t afraid?” I would have realized early what my mission is and set goals to achieve it. I would have gotten a mentor earlier than I did and put a structure to my business. So I will tell my younger self to go for her dream and not to wait thinking of how to start. I will tell her “JUST START” start with what you have now. To my future self, I will say, Do NOT make mistake in choosing your board members every time you have to make that selection. They can make or break your vision. I will also say “Integrity is Key” never ever undermine the place of integrity in your dealings with others. Also, I will say protect your name and by extension your brand. Be careful how you act so that you don’t ruin what you have used years to build. Lastly, l remind myself daily that the internet never forgets, and I should be more conscious of the kind of digital signature and impression I portray. [bctt tweet=”I learned about structure and that is one thing I say every time to every young entrepreneur…” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What business lessons have you learned in the course of running your social enterprise? The first thing I learned is when you put in your all in whatever you do, the world will support you. I also learned that money is the last thing you look for when starting a business. Once you have a clear vision and mission and impressive strategy, money will find you. I have learned very early that the successful club is highly inclusive. Most times, the rich don’t want you to sit at the table you have to learn to take the damn table. You must be tenacious and persistence and you must NEVER lose focus. And remember, strangers will help you succeed faster than families so when you are starting your business, be smart enough to consider your target market. [bctt tweet=”Be smart. Know your target market.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Do you find any connection between what you did as a corporate executive and what you are doing now? Absolutely, I realized that no knowledge is lost. You know, I worked as a network infrastructure engineer for a while and moved to business design/development and finally moved to Presales. I was opportune to work on proposal writing for top organizations, submit bids and quotations, present designs and even go for negotiations and this has helped greatly in starting up my business. The design knowledge, the business development
Timipre Wolo: My goal is to build a legacy that would transcend my lifetime
Timipre Wolo is that proud Elder Sister who has risen from depths and is paving the way for the ones coming after her. She is a former Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) management staff, who has now moved on to pursue ‘her calling’ as she puts it – through Centre for Gender Equality, Education, and Empowerment (CGEEE). Her empowerment initiative for vulnerable girls and women, and her energy company; TFN Energy. She attributes discovering her passion to working at PTDF, where she has created opportunities for about 400 young people. [bctt tweet=”To start out, and stay relevant in your career, identify your purpose – @timiprewolo” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] The Humble Beginnings Ms Timipre Wolo lost her mother at age 12. She recalls filling the mom gap for her family by taking a night shift job at age 16 while juggling her law diploma, and many other daring opportunities she created for herself. In her determination to bring the light home to her people in Niger Delta, Nigeria, and make her mum proud, she maximized every open door. Working at PTDF was one of them. Timi recalls initially not being well-placed but she excelled when she changed her focus to delivering. “When I joined the PTDF Legal Department, it was also the Management Secretariat. In addition to my schedule of duties at the department, I was the assigned the responsibility of attending Management meetings to take minutes. I was always fascinated by these boardroom meetings and looked forward to it because it was a great opportunity to learn more about the organization. I could only be seen but not heard because I didn’t have a seat on the table. Everyone seemed pleased with my drafting skills and I was subsequently deployed as special assistant to the Executive Secretary with increased responsibilities. Despite the stress that came with my new portfolio, I counted it a privilege to be developing so many skills at the same time. In 2012, the Industry Collaboration Unit was established to formulate strategies for capacity development under the Fund’s Post Amnesty policy and to foster collaborations between the PTDF and relevant stakeholders. An Oil and Gas lawyer was needed to lead the team and by providence, I became the youngest member of management by at least 10years,” she explains. [bctt tweet=” One tool for a woman to have a seat at the table is education – @timiprewolo” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Her role in Mentorship and Female Education Timipre’s leadership at the Fund’s Industry Collaboration Unit, led to the actualization of scholarship awards to about 400 young people from across Nigeria, to study at various institutions overseas. She also led the first-ever Helicopter pilot training for the petroleum industry in Nigeria which discovered Ruqayat Suleiman – the first female helicopter pilot from Katsina state, along with 3 other young women from Ondo, Rivers and Bayelsa States. For Timipre Wolo, one tool for a woman to have a seat at the table is education. “I have assisted several young women in facilitating educational scholarships at undergraduate, Masters and PhD levels. I assisted a young lady from eastern Nigeria who walked into my office frustrated from trying to get a scholarship to study in UK. She was told in confidence by the security at the PTDF gate ‘if only you can meet Aunty Timi, she would do everything within her power to assist you.’ I have made a conscious effort to ensure that women were given priority placement, to bridge the gender gap.” “I have the most amazing relationship with my mentees! I remember when the pilots were still in training school, I would personally take them out for dinner or we would visit a game reserve or amusement park with them. However, for obvious reasons, I created more time for the girls. On one visit, I got a hair stylist to come over to my hotel to get their hair done, then we went to see a movie together.” “When it came flying with them, I was the only member of staff who dared to even before they obtained their Commercial Pilot Licenses. I knew it would mean a lot to them because if we didn’t show them that we believed in them, then how did we expect them to get hired by others? That singular act boosted their confidence. I see the success of my mentees as my success too because they are a part of my journey just as much as I am part of theirs. That is the sort of unique relationship I have with the young women and girls I am privileged to mentor. It makes it very easy for them to relate to some level of trust and mutual respect, knowing that even when I’m tough on them, it is because I want them to succeed. For me, mentorship is truly about laying the groundwork for others to succeed and then standing back and letting them soar and shine.” [bctt tweet=”My goal is to build a legacy that would transcend my lifetime – @timiprewolo” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What does a legacy mean to Timipre Wolo? The CGEEE is committed to ensuring that internally displaced girls have access to education, whilst also empowering women through skills development and entrepreneurship. Through Timipre Wolo’s organizations; CGEEE and TFN Energy, 5 girls from an Internally Displaced Camp (IDP) have been awarded scholarships to cover fees, school supplies, feeding and living stipend in 2017. “At CGEEE we actually go beyond just sponsoring them to school to actually taking care of their welfare and mentoring them so we can get the best out of them. I know this is part of my calling because of the kind of joy and satisfaction I derive from seeing the eyes of these young girls light up with hope! This is not a one-time thing, it is a life-long commitment. There is so much to be done, not only in northern Nigeria but also in every other part of the country, including the Niger Delta region where I come from.
Makalela Mositsa: I am on a journey to create a powerful legacy through leadership empowerment
Makalela Mositsa, simply known to some as Kay, is an author, model and social entrepreneur with a passion for helping women realize their true essence. She helps young women make the transition from being ordinary women to becoming future leaders with real impact and deal with the sometimes overwhelming prospect of starting a new business while still maintaining a healthy home. Makalela started writing for She Leads Africa in early 2016. This year, she ventured into leadership empowerment where she coaches high school youth on topics like becoming leaders and starting their own businesses. Makalela offers a wide range of programs and services – from individual coaching to seminars and keynote addresses. Fellow SLAy queen Jeanette Nkwana had a chat with her and got to know a little more about this multi-faceted woman. How did you go from social entrepreneurship to the runway? Modeling has always been a passion for me. When I heard Miss Eagle SA was modeling and empowerment all wrapped in one, I knew that I had to be part of this amazing contest. Miss Eagle SA is a great platform for me to reach out to and motivate as many individuals as I can. Women empowerment has always been my first love and modelling is just fantastic. Getting to do the two simultaneously has been an exciting journey for me. I believe doing what you love is freedom but having everything in one package is indeed a blessing. Why leadership empowerment? [bctt tweet=”Leadership empowerment is synonymous to transformation. ” username=”makalelakay”] It is the art of bringing out the best in others and encouraging them to lead and pay it forward by empowering others. Realising that though a lot of people have dreams and great ideas but still need to be empowered so that they can fulfill their desires is what ultimately led me to this path. Without empowerment, motivation, and encouragement, dreams of world change will remain just that, dreams. What are the top 3 qualities you believe any leader should have? Passion for what you do Full of motivation Aspiration to make a difference You help young women transition into leaders, what is your approach to this? A good coaching process sets the way forward, holds people accountable, enables them to take responsibility for their own direction, opens up the way for greater communication, increases competency, and expands innovative opportunities. These are all ingredients of leader-empowering behaviors, which has been shown to increase psychological empowerment also. If you could, would you travel back in time or into the future? Back in time. What I know now leads me to believe I could’ve been better and done more in the past. I don’t regret the past, but I do feel I could have made a better difference than I did. Where do you draw your inspiration from? I draw inspiration from within. The intense passion that is burning within me always pushes me to reach for my dreams. It inspires me to be limitless and driven, and ultimately be a better person than I was yesterday. What are your top 3 hacks for dealing with school, entrepreneurship and work/family life? Set time for each task- prepare a schedule at night for the tasks I’ll be doing the following day. Attend to tasks in accordance with their priority. No matter how swamped I am with school work and meeting deadlines, I never take for granted the time I need to spend with my family. How do you explain the complexity of entrepreneurship? [bctt tweet=”Everything originates from a thought, what you think you become.” username=”makalelakay”] Many entrepreneurs who have achieved phenomenal things did it without being in possession of formal qualifications. They observed what was happening and lacking in society and thought implemented ideas that could eradicate such problems. Entrepreneurs believe in their own thoughts and work hard to bring them to life, but they also never forget the importance of education, in whichever form. When you are in business you need to understand the market, comprehend the business language and most importantly make others see and understand your brand narrative so they can invest their time and money in it. If you had to describe your life right now using a movie title, which would it be and why? Journey. I’m on a journey to create a powerful legacy that will forever continue to empower others and have a positive impact on the society. Has your age or gender ever been a problem for some of your clients or anyone in general? How did you deal with it? I’m a simple person, just a young lady with big dreams and a strong desire to realize them. People are different, some arrive at their own conclusions about you before getting to know you and others get to know you before judging you or your capabilities. I had moments where I was looked down on because of my gender, age, and appearance, but I always let my work speak for me, I’m confident in my abilities. What has been the greatest lesson you learned building your different careers? If you can think it then you have the ability to breathe life into it. Our imagination is boundless and that on its own makes us limitless beings. We all have greatness within, whether you make it count is your own prerogative. What advice will you give to young women who want to go into social entrepreneurship and women empowerment? Firstly, believe in yourself and in your dreams. Do it because you love it. Never let the fact that people don’t see and believe in your vision hinder you. Finally, be the change you want to see.
4 steps to starting the new year afresh
Happy New Year Motherland Moguls! The SLA team is cheering you as you SLAY into 2018. With the New Year comes a new start. A chance for you to leave the struggles and obstacles of the previous year behind and start afresh. I have drawn out a list of action-packed steps we can all take to make the best out of 2018! Step 1: Assess your situation My first piece of advice would be to assess the situation you are in at the end of 2017 or the beginning of 2018 before setting New Year resolutions. What went great? What didn’t go so well and what needed improvements? In doing so, you may realize exactly where you need improvements, or just how amazing you are at doing something. Either way, it will serve as the basis for improvement. Step 2: Shortlist the areas in which you would like to improve Once you have assessed the situation you can move on to your resolutions. Resolutions that are suited to you, instead of being generic ones. Throughout the process of setting these resolutions, remember that you do not have to set resolutions that begin on January 1st and end December 31st. See your resolutions as a way to better yourself, way beyond the limits of time. For instance, one of my resolutions is to gain more knowledge about cultures, economies, and politics. It is not a resolution I intend on giving up on as soon as the next year rolls by. Knowledge is continuous, just like every single one of our resolutions should be. [bctt tweet=”The internet and the technology available to us is vast, use it wisely and reap the benefits” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Step 3: Find out how you can better yourself Once you know where you would like to better yourself, brainstorm the ways in which you can kick-start your resolutions. My first step would be to consult books in all their forms. Visit bookstores, get audio books, magazines, online magazines (don’t forget your trusty SLA)… And then, there’s the internet. If you use the internet wisely, it can do a world of good. There is a YouTube tutorial on just about everything! Do you want to be more knowledgeable about table etiquette? Check out these tutorials. They will actually teach you everything from making a great first impression to the do’s and don’ts at a dinner table. If you want to get fit, popsugar fitness is the destination, you can start with that. Another resource would be smartphone apps. Many of them are free and work effectively. Are you looking to impress someone with your cooking skills…or just survive by feeding yourself? Watch what happens when you type ‘cooking books recipes free’ in your play store (team Android, what’s good?). The internet and the technology available to us is vast, use it wisely and reap the benefits. [bctt tweet=” Do not aim for perfection, but rather experiences in every step you take” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Step 4: Take the first step! So one thing we’re often afraid to do is take the first step. I try to remember that the first step is often the scariest and therefore the hardest, but once you’ve made that first move, the world is your oyster. For instance, I took my first solo travel for work in 2016. Believe it or not, I had never been anywhere alone, with no one I knew. I was scared out of my mind when my mother dropped me off at O.R Tambo International airport. I literally wondered how I was going to get from one place to the next in Bamako Mali, all on my own. But remember this: you have the capacity to do anything your heart desires and it is not the fear that lies within that has the ability to negate those capacities. [bctt tweet=”You have the capacity to do anything your heart desires” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] And an old age adage that will forever remain true, is that “if at first, you don’t succeed, try try again”. Do not aim for perfection, but rather experiences in every step you take. I really hope these steps will help you and contribute to an amazing 2018 for each and every one of you! And If you have made it this far and have enjoyed the read, until next time! Have a fabulous New Year!
5 transferable skills you need to go from homemaker to employee
What happens when the homemaker decides to return to formal employment? She is usually greeted with disdain for having ‘wasted’ her time at home and missed out on the latest developments in the industry. Though she is likely to be a bit out of touch with the nitty gritty of being an employee, a homemaker will, during the course of her homemaking, acquire some fine skills that make her an even more valuable employee than someone who has not experienced life outside the workplace. [bctt tweet=” A successful homemaker makes a successful employee” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Here are some of the transferable skills a homemaker already has: Time-keeping With so much to achieve on a daily basis, successful homemakers always keep their eye on the clock. If your meetings tend to stretch forever, and you cannot seem to stay on schedule for your targets, someone with homemaking experience can turn that around for you. Through experience, homemakers understand the effect of allowing tasks to take up too long to complete, of failing to have something done in time, and of the benefits of scheduling right off the bat. Planning Homemakers are, of necessity planners. From household chore to family events, these women have a skill that some employees still need to be taught. A homemaker understands the difference between a daily, weekly and monthly plan. Meal planning is one way they practice this. She needs to plan for daily meals, which will be the foundation of her weekly or even monthly shopping trips. At the same time, she masters making adjustments, improvising, scheduling and reviewing. [bctt tweet=”If your team needs someone who seamlessly integrates tasks together, you may need a homemaker” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Multi-tasking Homemaking tasks are varied, numerous and as diverse as the lives involved. The basics of homemaking encompass cooking, cleaning, childcare, gardening, tutoring, house maintenance and so on. In a single day, she will have to deal with some or even all of these tasks. With only 24 hours in a day, multi-tasking is something learned out of necessity. The trick with multi-tasking is that while it is necessary, it needs to be done in a logical manner to be effective. While you can listen to your child’s reading while cooking, for example, it becomes illogical to attempt it while you are vacuuming. If your team needs someone who seamlessly integrates tasks together, you may need to give the homemaker a chance. Creativity Creativity is one of those skills that is difficult to define and teach to a person. It is best learned in context. And what better context than in the home, where routine can soon lead to boredom in so many ways. From the layout of furniture to meals and family activities, there comes a time where a new approach is demanded of you. When work and business solutions start to get mundane, the homemaker will seldom be out of depth. Negotiation Who engages the part-time help to complete a task in the shortest time possible for the lowest cost? Who meets the meter man at the gate and diverts any attempt to disconnect services? Who sets the terms for play dates, physical boundaries, and social events? The very same tasks in the context of a formal work environment can be assigned to the woman who already has lots of experience form home. In some cases, it’s the homemaker herself who needs to be reminded of all the wealth of experience that she brings to the workforce. There is no reason to feel inferior or incompetent. A successful homemaker makes a successful employee.
TUMELO MATSHENG: I didn’t cry after I was laid off. I was thankful
When it comes to infant enterprises, I always say despise not the days of small beginnings and I am pleased Tumelo Matsheng concurs. Tumelo is the founder of MY MY’S CHILLI, and her small business which she founded in February 2017 is growing. She is definitely enjoying the process of developing her enterprise. She strongly believes that when one door closes another opens, and her newly open door came as an enterprise opportunity. It is easy to be disheartened when finding out you would be laid off work but for Tumelo it turned out to be a blessing. Her former employer approached her to let her know that their business had incurred major financial mismanagement and she would have to be terminated. What the ex-employer also told her was that she had so much potential that she could venture into other things, be it a business or another job. He gave his blessings to her to proceed on with life. Instead of sulking, Tumelo took the advice and made most out of it. This would be the start of her chilli business. I had the opportunity to chat with the humble 27-year-old young Motswana woman from a village called Borobadilepe, Ramatlabama and this is what she had to say. What triggered the birth of My My’s Chilli? MyMy’s Chilli is a homemade chilli that I make. It started off as an experiment. I used to make it then give it to friends and family to taste. One friend, in particular, liked it so much after the third trial taste, and I was encouraged to approach it as a business. I choose to say MyMy’s Chilli was born February 2017, with orders mostly from close family and friends. Tell us more about the name of your product. My name is Tumelo. Tumie and TuMyMy are nicknames. So I opted for the mymy from the TuMyMy nickname to brand myself as My My’s Chilli. How has your background influenced who you are with regards to your work? From an early age, I enjoyed cooking, experimenting and playing with food in the kitchen. The kitchen is my favorite place in the house. When I got laid off from work in January 2017 that is when I became more serious about making my chilli. I didn’t cry after I was laid off. I was thankful. I felt God presented the opportunity for MyMy’s Chilli. What is it about your chilli that makes it uniquely yours? The secret is in the spices I use which I shall not disclose. I choose to remain tight-lipped about it. Tell us more about your range of products. For now, I only make one flavor. I am however working on making other flavors and expanding the range to offer a bit of variety. I will say that it will be something creamy. It is often said that you can’t supply what isn’t in demand. How do you ensure the requests for My My’s Chilly keep coming? I do per order. What helps boost the sales is with the markets I go to. The orders are growing by the day. How did people receive it, and how easy is it for local retailers in accommodating My My’s Chilli? It’s been positive feedback all along. One of the local store (Choppies) advised I must take a sample for food testing and that I need to get a batch code. I now feel at a point where I could afford the Naftec route expenses. I want MyMy’s Chilli to be able to sustain itself without having to fund the expenses myself and it’s in the process. What keeps you going when you feel like throwing in the towel? I can’t afford to give up. God always makes a way. He always comes through, he never fails me. It may take time but God is at work. That is how I work. What advice do you have for African women wishing to be entrepreneurs? Success always demands a little bit more! Be a little more and when someone tells you that you can’t achieve your goals, let it fuel you to prove them wrong. Keep dreaming big. Dreams do come true. Above all let God be God and be humble. If you had the opportunity to export MyMy’s Chilli to any African country, which would it be and why? South Africa. It is the food basket of Africa. I love their food culture (restaurants, shisanyamas, sports etc) and population. Which local woman entrepreneur inspires you? Her name is Eteng Mohwasa. It has been amazing watching her grow. She is an entrepreneur who started off as a baker now she is the owner of Body Signature Spa at The Village. She is a friend, has a bubbly personality and loves God. She uplifts me. I admire her love for god. What’s next for MyMy’s Chilli for the next three to five years? I want to see it on the shelves internationally.
4 Steps to SLAYING into the new year like a boss
Walking through the stairs of 365 days without missing steps, go beyond making new year resolutions. Taking each day as a step on the stairs of this new phase (2018), we would realize that as days crawl into weeks and weeks run into months in the course of the year, the will to thrive beyond all odds may begin to dwindle. As a result of this, hopes will definitely fall whenever we miss our steps in the course of this journey. To this end, it is important for us to note that It’s not enough to make new year resolutions. It’s more paramount for us to become them. Yes! Become those resolutions! Consequentially, this connotes that each day counts! In other words, those tiny seconds, little minutes and few hours in each day matters a lot. In order not to get the same result at the end of this new year, we must change our approach to life in general. It’s high time we realized that: Change isn’t just a theoretical phenomenon Change isn’t a part of life Change is life itself So, it’s either we live it or it leaves us behind. Start Now! Start Right Sometimes, we never discover the beginning until the end. This is why many are left stuck in heaps of regrets towards the end of the year. But hey, this is another phase, another beginning to determine the end. There’s no better time to execute those beautiful plans in your head than now. “A good plan vigorously executed right now is far better than a perfect plan executed next week”.- General George Patton Start Right It’s never wrong to start right, but the big question is- HOW DO WE START RIGHT? The first step to starting right begins with the mind. Most times, life may leave our minds clogged up with so many negatives that we tend to close our hearts to the opportunities that come knocking. Goals and dreams seem to be far fetched, especially when one is surrounded by people who are ready to give 101 reasons to be content with failure. Here, it is required that you go not just steps away, but miles far from these negativities. No wonder Gandhi said- “I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feets”. Bill Newman also asserted that “minds certainly are like parachutes, they only function when they are open”. Indeed, an open mind is most sensitive to even the faintest footprint of opportunities, rather than lingering within the confine of self-pity. Live Ready! How ready are we, for the opportunities we crave for? The truth is, opportunities are right there on each step of the stairs. As we build on our abilities, we lay a stronger foundation for our capabilities. Learn something new each day! “In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exist”. -Eric Hoffer “The illiterates of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.”-Alvin Toffler Carry people along Imagine a life where you have the whole world to yourself, just you with nobody else. No one to share the wealth with, or the joy, peace, and love – if there will even be any… As we go through the steps on these stairs of 2018, let’s remember that we all need each other, regardless of the ‘buts’. Therefore, we need not get too serious with life that we forget to put a smile on a face each day in this new phase. We need not push ourselves off the stairs, for everyone has a pace, a lane and a destination which is the beauty of life. [bctt tweet=”It’s not how high you climb, but how many people you are prepared to take with you” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] As you go through this stairs, remember, taking the wrong steps will never get you the right result. Just Live the change you desire! Start now! Start right! Live ready! You may not have silver to deliver, but you sure do have love and care to share. Cheers! To this new dawn If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Stop being busy achieving nothing
When I was much younger, I had the expert brain of never forgetting to do anything, numbers in my phonebook and even birthdays…but now…oh well!!! You can almost not get past a day without forgetting you had to return a call or deliver an extra work that didn’t make it to your to-do list. I know it’s not your fault, there’s just so much on the plate, and that’s why I’ve come to help you with cheat codes you can engage to help you be more productive with work time. Some home-made remedies like setting a reminder and creating/ticking off your to-do list, however, you can try these as well: Just do it NOW So, you see, most times our biggest problem is, we see that we have to do something, but we ignorantly shove it aside, forgetting that we are likely to forget. One of the best ways to avoid forgetting a task is to just do it immediately. If possible, do it in bits, especially if it would take just a few seconds. Always have a notepad around Whether as a hardcopy or soft one, always have something you can journal with. If your mind has a way of always magnetizing ideas from here and there, you need to always have something to scribble on. You ask me why? Because you might just get an idea that would take your business through the roof and if you miss it…well, you’ll never even know unless you tried it. Now pick up your notepad. Learn to say NO Some of us have a default answer for taking on new tasks…YES!!! However, often times, we don’t really have to do everything because we can, we should just say no, rather than feel disappointed in ourselves when we forget just after saying yes to that extra task. Want to avoid forgetting that favor that you promised? If and only if you are overloaded with your own work, don’t agree to take on more. Have a Human Reminder We all have that one person we can call an alarm clock. They just seem to remind us what we ask them to. So, don’t be shy, a great accountability partner might just be what you need to nail the day’s tasks. Ask for help, and be sure to humbly receive the push that comes with it. You’ll feel better about achieving your goals.Forgetting things is not so bad in itself, but when you do nothing about it, it could take a huge toll on your productivity level. The goal is to be an ACHIEVER, not to be BAN (Busy Achieving Nothing). Do you have a story you’d like to share with us? Share your story with us here.
6 low-cost ways to thank your customers this festive season
What better time to thank your customers than the festive season. After all, they’re the ones keeping your business up and running. Children wait in anticipation for Christmas ‘cos they know candy is coming their way. For parents, it’s family time. Customers, on the other hand, look forward to getting something as a reward for their loyalty and service. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone thank you for your patronage? Imagine you go to refuel your tank and just before you leave, you’re handed a hamper or a ‘thank you’ card. How would you feel? I bet you’ll want to come back again. Why? They recognize and appreciate you. After all, isn’t that what we all want? Now you get the picture, imagine the excitement and love your customers will feel when you thank them. Remember, little acts of kindness goes a long way. [bctt tweet=”Your customers are the lifeblood of your business” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Happy customers equal loyal customers.Your customers are your central focus, and without them, you wouldn’t exist! Simply put, your customers are the lifeblood of your business. It’s important you take care of them. Whether you operate a large business, an SME, or a start-up business, there’re ways you can still thank your customers. In this article, I’ll share with you ways you can thank your customers even with a tight budget. The festive season is all about giving and receiving. Here are some ways you can thank your customers this festive season: Thank You Note Contrary to the belief that ‘thank you’ notes are old-fashioned and out-dated, it’s still as effective as ever. It adds some personal touch. This Christmas, go out of your way and write a thank you note to a customer. A simple note like: Dear Chris, The entire team of She Leads Africa would like to thank you for your loyalty and support throughout the year. We look forward to a great and awesome time next year. Sincerely, She Leads Africa. Points to remember when writing a ‘thank you’ note: Include personal greetings along with the customer’s name Be clear about why you’re thanking them (loyal service, purchase of a product or simply referring a friend to you) Leave your business card out, remember, it’s about them and not you This isn’t the time to talk about special promotions; focus on thanking the customer for his business. Help Scout offers tips on how to write a killer customer thank-you note. Give them a treat Who doesn’t like a holiday treat? Looking for a way to thank your customers without having to empty your bank account? Give them a treat. I don’t mean a fancy treat though. You could bake some homemade cookies or get some ‘small chops’ for them. Everyone likes freebies, and the holiday season is all about giving and receiving. Send them freebies like their favorite playlist, a ticket to see a movie, coupons, their favorite bottle of wine, customized mug, hamper, shirt or notebook, or offer a free month of service the following year. It’s the thought that matters. After all, customers want to feel loved and appreciated. Help customers learn something new Christmas is a wonderful time to hold events, especially if you want to attract prospects and loyal customers to your business. Customers need to feel that you care about them, that you’re interested in them acquiring more knowledge about your product. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate event. Are you a makeup artist? You can hold regular events or organize free training for your customers. Invite an expert to talk about ‘how to contour your face’ or how to draw your eyebrows. Do you bake? You could host a training session where you teach them baking tips to spice up their Christmas celebration. Are you a content marketer? Offer free coaching services on writing killer contents. You could also host a free webinar or create an eBook, something to boost their knowledge and add to their skill. The more educated they become, the more they’ll appreciate your product. Give your customers a special feature A little spotlight wouldn’t hurt. This Christmas, go out of your way and thank your loyal customers. The idea is to make them feel valued and special and to feel a sense of pride in doing business with you. So yes, put them in the spotlight. You could decide to write a blog post dedicated to the customer, or include a shout out to them in your email newsletter or on social media. Post their picture on your page, write a bio or a case study. [bctt tweet=”Surprise a highly engaged customer with a free product and just watch their reaction” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] “Wow” one customer Didn’t see that coming? I know. Want to say ‘thank you’? Pick one customer that really stands out – one who’s purchased several of your products and give a delightful customer service experience. The idea is to surprise a highly engaged customer with a free product just to watch their reaction. Host a Customer appreciation day While this might not be part of your plan this Christmas, you can opt to host a customer appreciation day. We all know what it feels like to be appreciated. It makes us feel valued, to think that the other person noticed your good work. It’s the same for your customers. While they may not make it clear to you, they want to feel like you see all they do to promote your brand. Depending on your budget you could decide a dine at a banquet hall, a fancy restaurant, at the park or even your house. Get your customers trooping in! They’ll remember your hospitality and generosity. Remember, it’s the thought that counts. Having your customers in mind and going out of your way to show it speaks volumes. It improves customer satisfaction, plus, people get to know about your company through word
Peggy Moele proves that Aquaponics is an innovative way to breed organic food for African communities
56-year-old Peggy Moele is one of the few women in South Africa practicing aquaponics and aquaculture-agriculture in her 10 hector veg and fisheries farm. The new system of aquaponics and aquaculture has helped Peggy win awards and getting much recognition and a helping hand from the Department of Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in her country, South Africa. She was one of the few women of a group of farmers funded to go on an excursion tour and workshop in chines province to learn about the modern solutions to organic farming and fisheries in early 2017. Khethiwe Mndawe interviewed Peggy Moela after receiving her award as woman farmer of the year in her municipality and nomination nationally at the Woman in agriculture awards 2017. Peggy was born and raised in rural Bushbuckridge, growing up with values that depend on the land farming to create sustainable solutions for the community to never go hungry. As a young woman growing up in the nomadic homelands, the poverty of the families around her always touch her to work towards how she can bring solutions for other families and greater way of making a living. “I started out running a catering business, unable to find work in my area yet seeing the poverty and lots of lands always draw me to agriculture I came from a poor background and I’ve always see the challenges and need of the people in my community and it has always been a wish of mine to create employment” said Peggy Running Jubilee farms with her son they had decided that they wanted to go into fisheries and explored those possibilities after a visit for an official from the department of agriculture, in her province who expanded their knowledge and supported then in kick-starting building their first pond. After having built over 10 ponds and growing they started with 360 Tapia fish from Mozambique practice and Aqua phonic and aquaculture fish farming and organic veg farming and their journey in China studying the different options toward organic farming and fisheries. Mrs. Peggy Moele got her first recognition after winning as the female entrepreneur farmer of the year 2016, she was selected as the top female in agriculture in Bushbuckridge again in 2017 and awarded at the Provincial agriculture female awards by the minister of Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 2017 and nominated in the nationals for her unique and developing farming business in her 10 hector farm. A system that combines conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. With pigs and cows that she has bread over the years, she had discovered with her son the proactive of aquaculture, using excretions from the animals being raised can accumulate in the same pond water, increasing toxicity. “With the aquaponics system, we use the water from an aquaculture system which we feed to a hydroponic system. The by-products are broken down by nitrifying bacteria into nitrites and subsequently into nitrates, which are utilized by the plants as nutrients, and the water is then recirculated back to the aquaculture system”. “We have been doing most of the work ourselves in putting these systems together and they have produced many results and accelerate the vision or organic farms and fisheries for the community and working toward commercial supply.” Said, her son, Boka Moele, Manager of the Jubilee farm “Seeing that I came from elders who always ventured into farming, feeding the communities and sustaining themselves through farming. It was easy for me to decide to go into farming. I took all my profits and saving from my catering business, and in 2011 I approached the chiefs in my village area and bought about 10 hectares of land” said Peggy Moele They started to use 6 hectors of the land and cleared, to begin seasonal crop farming. Things were very difficult in the beginning, I couldn’t afford any workers, those that worked for me, I would offer them and their families groceries and vegetable to sustain them as we were struggling and still growing. “After the department had heard about my farm in Bushbuckridge, they came to view our farm our progress and to hear what challenges we were facing. The official then introduced us to aquaculture and fisheries, he showed us how to build our first pond and ever since we have built much more on our own to cater for our fisheries business. We have since been breading the Mozambique Tilapia fish. Initially, we started with 360 fishes in 2013 and we are amazed at how much the fishes continue to grow and multiply. We have since been having a good relationship with the DPT of agriculture and they have been very good to us in assisting us and I am so grateful” said Mrs. Peggy Moele Today we have close to 20 ponds in counting, a good irrigation system and they have been adding their keep of cows and pigs. The farm sustains itself with the season veg crops they farm and they have opened not to various student and agriculture researcher to use and practice form. “We are so proud of her and we believe she is the best representative of women youth farmers. We hope form today onwards mayflies will follow her. It is inspiring to see our women in mud and surrounded by flies other that plastic hair and makeup because we admire that when they touch the land they subdue and multiply its uses to feed the nation and with this they can lead the men working with the land and producing form it to a point of economic contribution” said Minister of Agriculture and rural development and affairs in the Mpumalanga province, Mr. Vusi Shongwe They have hired a few young people and families in her surrounding communities, who work and contribute to the development and economic transformation of sustainable farm in the Mpumalanga province that is going commercial and exploring n bigger