3 things to consider before changing jobs
So, maybe your current employer is not bae or you have another suitor knocking at your door. Whichever the case, there are key elements you need to look at before jumping ship or looking for greener pastures. These elements might be in your best interests in the long run. 1. Is it in line with your future goals? Compensation and monetary benefits are always, most likely, our first motivating factor when looking for a job. However, once you do get a career that pays you more than peanuts, you might slowly realize you are not really cut out for it. Especially if you are not meant to be in that field. You will be comfortable for a few months but that itch to leave will come back sooner than you can say rands and nairas. When looking to changing jobs, you might want to look at what you really want to do with your career path. Think beyond your current needs. 5, 10 even 15 years from now is that better-paying job something you would still want to be doing then? Is it in line with your values and vision for your career? Have you even thought about your career beyond your current situation? Evaluate your career choice and what you want to do before putting cheddar first. 2. Is it flexible? Sure, it’s cool to occasionally spend an extra few hours at a job, finishing off a project. But you may never realize the time constraints of a new environment and new responsibilities. If you have aspirations of starting other side hustles, you have to give it a lot of thought. Will a new job allow you to be able to push the passion projects you have on the side? Beyond the obvious benefits of a new job and the fringe benefits, you need to consider your own development and growth. Will you have time to pursue a short course, start a business, read SLA articles or listen to a webinar? Your time is an asset that is more valuable than you think. Consider your current projects and if your new job would allow you to still fully commit to them and their success. You have to know what you value as important before making the big leap. 3. Will you grow? Yeah, you want a new job cause you get to work in a company your mom has actually heard about and will be able to tell her friends about without embarrassing you. However, some employers will not necessarily give you the growth opportunity you are looking for. You might not be able to flex your creative, innovative or strategic muscle if you are a small cog in a big machine, even if the machine isn’t that big. You want to be able to move to a career that will allow you experiment, learn and grow and hopefully apply your expertise. This is not always ideal or realistic. However, you do not want to end up feeling stunted and unappreciated which is bad for both you and your employer. Consider asking people who already work for that employer about their experience. Ask about the opportunities available for growth and if they consider employees an important asset. Thinking about it first and laying your options beforehand will definitely help you. You’d be able to make a more informed and prepared decision than if you had not. Happy job hunting.
“Do, Be, Give”: How three simple words sparked a quiet revolution in my life
Like most, I had heard of the book “Eat, Pray, Love” and found the concept intriguing. However, I had never had the inclination to read it up until a few months ago. I was catching up with a friend one afternoon when she told me about someone she knew who recently quit a corporate office job in New York and embarked on a 3-month journey to Europe and Africa to relax and regroup. What made her story even more interesting was that she had decided on a theme for her trip : “Do, Be, Give”, drawing inspiration from the life-story in the book. I was going through a turbulent time in my life. Unsatisfied with the way things were, hearing this story gave me the impetus to make a change. I decided to also read the book and later went on a 3-month journey of my own. I would like to share my experience with you. DO When I started my second Master’s degree in 2013, my goal was to land a job as a consultant at the end of the program. I applied to pretty much every consulting firm in the greater Amsterdam area and was met with either a rejection email, or —worse still, silence. Self-doubt began to creep in: maybe I was too old, maybe I lacked a business background, maybe I was handicapped because I didn’t speak the local language, maybe I had picked the wrong major. With every rejection came new forms of doubt. I landed a job as an analyst for a healthcare non-profit and for a while I got sidetracked from pursuing my original goal. My job was good enough, but I always had this nagging feeling that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be and I wasn’t doing what I ought to be doing. After I decided to act on the “Do, Be, Give” concept, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and resume applying for consulting jobs. One day, out of the blue, I got a text from a friend about a job with the United Nations. Though I felt like it was a long shot, I applied. A little over 3 months later, I am packing my bags for a two-year adventure as a consultant for the UN in Zambia. Challenge: What’s the one thing you’ve always dreamt of doing but haven’t gotten round to yet? Do you dream of starting a business, traveling the world or going back to school? What is stopping you? If money and time weren’t obstacles, what is the one thing you’d do with your life right now? Focus intently on your goal, let the attainment of it motivate you daily and have the courage to go for it. BE In a previous article, I talked briefly about my struggle with depression. For me, this disorder is like knowing the sun is shining but not feeling its warmth. It has not only affected my mental and emotional state but also my physical and social well-being. Alongside therapy and support from friends and family, I chose to start medication during an especially tough period last year. This helped for a while; I was able to get through the day but on the flip side, I felt like my life was on mute. I could finally see all the colours but I couldn’t hear the music. Even though I no longer felt sad, I didn’t feel happy either. For the “Do, Be, Give” challenge, I have made the decision to wean myself off of medication* because I feel I am at a place in life where I am stronger, both mentally and physically. I want to know how it feels to be free from medication: to eat and sleep “normally”. It was a huge, scary step. I kept asking myself; what if I failed? What if things became worse again? So many what-ifs. I prepared myself for the unknown and took a leap of faith. So far, so good. I feel free and some days, I am happy. Other days are still a struggle, but I’m getting to where I want to be. This experience has strengthened my self-confidence, and ability to think and act in my best interests. Challenge: Who are you are now, and who do you want to be in future? What do you need to do to become that person? Any limiting self-beliefs you need to let go of? What truths do you need to embrace to finally inhabit the state of being you have been dreaming of? GIVE For a long time, I toyed with the idea of starting a non-profit organisation. I wanted to help improve the lives of others in a meaningful and engaging way. I knew what I wanted to do, but couldn’t do it alone. A close friend got married this year and I had the privilege of being one of her bridesmaids. As fate would have it, one of us turned out to be a young doctor with a passion for non-profit and youth development. I went out on a limb and shared my vision with her of wanting to create an NGO based in Nigeria. She embraced the idea wholeheartedly and this is how, Give Girls A Chance was born. Our goal is to provide educational and mentorship opportunities to girls from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they too may enjoy access to and benefits of quality education. My working on this project has given me a new friend and a co-visionary: we are one inch closer to seeing the manifestation of our dream. Challenge: What change do you wish to see in your community and in the world? Are you willing to give up something to see this dream become a reality? Your turn If there is something you’ve been meaning to do, find the courage to do it. If there’s a state of being that you’ve been meaning to inhabit, find the fortitude to embrace it. If there’s a cause dear to
4 life lessons you can learn from Kanye West
This is a women-focused platform, right? Now I’m pro-women, so I won’t pretend that the unfortunate misogynistic way Kanye West sometimes refers to women in his music doesn’t make me squirm. Still, I can say that Kanye is one of my favourite public personalities. Now, usually, when I tell people this, I immediately drop a bit on their respectability scale. I’m surprisingly okay with this. His creativity is the stuff of legends, and having watched him over the years, this visionary artist has given me a few good ideas about life. “Don’t tell me about being likeable” When this modern day philosopher appeared on The Ellen Show , he came ready to inspire. Kanye started off by lamenting the fact that so many great innovators are dead. Then he challenged the fascination people have with being ‘likeable’, as opposed to being great. Firstly let me say; I do believe that you should be able to read your audience. Not everyday do ‘The Most’. The message is just as important as the delivery. One of my favourites, Melody Hobson calls the art of doing this ‘making yourself small to win’. However, the way that my personality is set up…in my experience, assertive and aggressive are sometimes used interchangeably when describing women leaders. It’s an unfortunate way that my cultural context, personality, and #MotherlandMogul goals intersect. While some celebrate assertiveness in women, others are quick to throw out labels like ‘bossy’, ‘pushy’ and others that we probably can’t put up here. Sheryl Sandberg dedicated a whole chapter in her book Lean In to the negative association between success and likeability. Don’t let likeability be a millstone around your neck. Work on what needs to be worked on, but don’t fixate on what is outside of your control. Continuously seek growth like Kanye When the iconic Rockerfeller Records split, this maverick musician had to make a tough choice. Kanye had to decide whether he should continue working with either Jay-Z or Damon Dash, and he opted for the former. Why? Simple, he chose growth. Admitting that he related more to Damon Dash than he did to Jay-Z, he decided that he would stick with Mr. Beyonce because they were so different. I’ve learnt that comfort is the enemy of growth. Karin Sebelin says; “People who agree boost our confidence, but they don’t give us stuff to think about and to grow…We need healthy conflicts and differing perspectives to really become thoughtful and get seduced to think in a deeper way.” Be deliberate about finding people and spaces that help you grow. Conviction is King This is embodied by the hook from his song ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing’. The rebel rapper sings; “Excuse me, is you saying something? Uh-uh you can’t tell me nothing!” This line highlights what we already know; Kanye West is not someone who is easily swayed. My journey so far has not been linear, and in order to survive periods of uncertainty I have had to learn how toxic doubt can be. I believe we all innately know the way to our own greatness. The key is trusting yourself enough to navigate toward it. Criticism and doubt from ourselves and others stifles this. Tech Entrepreneur Rapelang Rabana shares how her journey required her to have the utmost faith in her conviction. She says; “I had made the decision to start my business despite the confusion, turbulent thoughts and emotions, not knowing what life would hold. Now, the trust I placed in myself to chart my own path has reaped rewards I never could have conceived, all because I dared to listen to myself. Knowing the value of that choice 10 years on gave me great peace.” Learn to reflect and celebrate When I first heard the song ‘Last Call’ I really didn’t get why Kanye would spend over six minutes on an outro that just recounted his rise to success. SIX minutes fam? I now realise how crucial taking a second to remember and honour your journey is. It is about maintaining perspective: the more you are deliberate about keeping it, the more of it you will have. Let me let Oprah say it: “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” What would we do without Kanye West?!
Ololade Oladipupo: My mother inspired me to start Esmadelle
Mothers are so awesome, we don’t need to say that twice. Consider this, you’re young, creative and itching to earn your own income using your talents. Yet, you have little or no idea of what to do or how to get started. Ololade Oladipupo has been there and done that. As the creative designer of Esmadelle, Ololade was able to make strides in her Motherland Mogul journey thanks to the huge support from her mother. Recently, SLA contributor, Kofoworola Ayodeji tracked down Ololade for what turned out to be a heartwarming conversation. She shared with Kofoworola her inspiration, as well as the process of getting started with a fashion designing business and growing it into a profitable one, right from home. Not long ago, I attended a friend’s wedding in Lagos and it was real fun. Although there was more than enough to bite and chew and drink, I had to notice the wedding dress —it was simple yet very stylish and charming. Quickly, I inquired about the dress. And what I found was that the dress, which I had thought was from the “overseas” or perhaps from a big player in Africa’s fashion industry, was made by one young and aspiring fashion designer in Lagos. Tell us about yourself My name is Ololade Oladipupo. I’m the creative designer of Esmadelle, a female apparel clothing line. It’s a female apparel brand which started in 2012 and is focused on every woman of every age and way of life. How did you develop the courage and optimism to become an entrepreneur in a country where many young people have given up on their dreams because of a lack of opportunities? I am a lover of arts, and the big secret is: I might not have ended up as a fashion designer if not for my mum. She gave me the motivation. It was my mother who provided me with the first sewing machine with which I started my career, before expanding. She gave me the much needed courage to enter the fashion industry, thereby giving my dream a big lift. You’ve got quite an interesting startup story. How did it all begin? Even as a Microbiology graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), I started working from home as a tailor. I was mainly into casuals then. People loved my work and me, this helped with the much needed initial rise. Though Esmadelle started in 2012 as Lahdele, along the line, we had to change the brand name due to some circumstances. Now, we have expanded into making bridals too and also into training aspiring fashion designers. Your designs are stylish and charming. What inspires them? I am inspired by everything. I draw inspiration from a myriad of elements like nature, arts, and culture to create designs that are unique. Fashion is everywhere. We can’t deny that. And, I never felt I had a choice because it seemed natural to me to want to always translate my ideas into fashion. Everyone is looking for how to express themselves and show their personality. I think I am able to translate mine into fashion. Fashion designing, like all other ventures has its peculiar challenges. Tell us about your challenges so far Like many other aspiring entrepreneurs, the biggest challenge to expanding my business is finance. I hope to surmount that. What are your plans for Esmadelle? Especially in the areas of expansion and mentorship Even though my business is still evolving, my vision is global awareness for my brand. I want my creativity to stream through Africa to the rest of the world in a most unique style. We would also be moving into Esmadelle’s new workshop next month when it will be officially opened. Currently, I have two workers, and five students who are due for graduation later in September. How would you advise young women looking to being their own bosses? It doesn’t matter how small your business is in the beginning, just make sure you’re living your dreams. Let no obstacle stand in your way; chase your dreams vigorously and you will be making a difference in the world. Are you willing to share your thoughts? I’m eagerly waiting to hear from you.
4 lessons Tiwa Savage taught us on comebacks
It now seems so long ago. Sometime in April, we woke up to a rather unexpected hot-button topic —the messy detail of troubles in Tiwa Savage’s marriage. There were mind-blowing accusations on social media by her estranged husband. A tell-all video from Tiwa was to follow the next day. We already knew the 36-year-old Nigerian pop diva could make any song sound heavenly. But for someone who seemed well put together, we didn’t exactly see this coming. In case you’re one of the handful who hasn’t realized yet, Tiwa has got her groove back and she’s clearly on her grind! I have gleaned from her setback and triumph, 4 hard-hitting truths. They are guaranteed to stick with you for a long time. Challenges have a way cooler purpose than you ever thought. This is probably relative but this attitude is the most important you can develop in life, business or marriage. Seriously, challenges can sneak up on you and make you feel like the worst person alive. The idea is to realize that though it might take a lot of courage to look pain in the eye, it’s best to trust that it is a learning opportunity. If you’ve never had to crack some tough nut, have you really lived? I don’t think so. Know when you’ve had enough… and start talking like Tiwa. Like the message in the ‘If I Start To Talk’ song, off her RED album, maybe it’s time you realized you’ve had enough and started talking. You’ve probably been silent for too long. You don’t have to talk to anyone but an extra set of ears can be very useful. You probably think no one would appreciate, understand or help your plight (I find that pretty rare), but it can be a lifesaver to have someone know your story. Dust yourself off Tiwa’s got some interesting deals and endorsements going on, right now. The most recent and coolest, of course, is her being signed to Jay Z-owned Roc Nation! That’s some great trick for moving on —deliberately re-enact your own story. It makes for good business and helps you avoid having to obsessively dwell on something you cannot help. You can always decide the turning point in your own narrative. It is that moment when everything changes or catalyzes. Play the stingy one if you must Maybe you’ve been doling out cash to that lazy business partner, spouse, friend, family member or people whose link to you, you can’t fathom. No sweat girl, the giver tag to your name is fine. But the broke, unappreciated and unhappy tag is not so fine. If you find yourself in a position to offer help, by all means, do but it should really be worth it.
Walking away from pre-conceived notions
“You can take the boy out of the ghetto, but you can’t take the ghetto out of the boy”. That statement drives me mad and I get pleasure from proving it wrong. Why? Generalizations are not cool. I am from the Bini speaking part of Edo State, and if you’re Nigerian, you must have heard the popular saying; “Bini girls are loud, lousy, crazy, witches. They like going abroad to become commercial sex workers.” But you see, it’s not just common among Bini girls. There are pre-conceived notions associated with almost every ethnic group in Nigeria. “Ibo girls are money-hungry.” “Calabar girls are nymphos.” “Yoruba girls will do anything to keep a man”, so on and so forth. It’s even more annoying when educated people say these things. Let’s be real, this happens in Nigeria and I guess, other African countries too. I decided from an early age not to be defined by my ethnicity. Over the years, I have owned this resolve. Indie Arie’s “I am not my hair“ is my go-to song for kicking against convention and pre-concieved notions. I speak out against generalizations, whether in gender, colour, tribe, political or religious affiliations. I am not generic. I am specific, unique, and me! Unfortunately, some of us have allowed ourselves —and subsequently our families and businesses become products of these notions. Here’s a true confession: I secretly take pride in being an Aries. And the “Aries do not finish any project they start” statement is one of the biggest lies I ever heard. This belief shaped my life badly and for a long time, till I took control. I am tempted to just say “ walk baby, walk!” but it is not that simple. Here are my top suggestions to walking away from stereotypes. Define yourself Do not beat around the bush on this. I’ll be first to admit that I didn’t do this early on in life, and I wish I had. Taking self surveys and personality tests help to get a definitive self picture. A temperament analysis and if you are into it, your Zodiac sign can also help you get a clear picture. Filter In Nigeria, the statement “dem say, dem say” is used to define rumours. The prevalent view of your environment may not be normal at all. Don’t let it be. Filter what you hear and perceive. I’m not suggesting that you become oblivious. See, it’s important that you are aware of the workings of your area. Let go of dead-weights Please! This should be numero uno. Don’t go about dragging baggage and ideas that are probably as dead as the people who invented them . “Dreadlocks are evil” or “Girls should be quiet”. Ummm… no! Shed them faster than slimming teas shed fat. Re-brand As a follow-up to the previous tip, re-branding is simply psychological (let’s not talk about changing your wardrobe now). My mom calls it changing your OT (orientation). It is basically about changing your thinking process. I re-cultivated my mind on so many issues that were a part of my environment. Two major ways I did this were through books and the Bible. I read a lot about self-empowerment and growth and try to put what I read to practice. Positive re-enforcement You are so much more. Keep telling yourself that. I use sticky notes to write motivations to myself on my mirror. This way, I just can’t miss them. It’s scary thinking of how many people have followed uninformed predictions. Know that you can defy them. I don’t care what anyone says about Bini girls, that’s not me. I choose not to follow that notion and I do everything contrary to it. This is it, ladies, it doesn’t matter what people choose to believe about you, smile. Of course, we both know they know nada! So, walk away from generalizations and that “area” reputation. That’s clearly not you.
Are invisible scripts ruling your life?
Scripts are stories that are created from the perceptions of people we interact with on a daily basis. They range from our families, teachers and colleagues to the general community we live in. Scripts can also be developed through our experiences and culture. If you grew up in a community where finishing school was unheard of, then you might think that finishing school is out of limits. We unconsciously allow our lives to be led by invisible scripts some of which are imposed by other people, while others are self-imposed. The first time I went for a driving test, everyone I tested with passed. I failed. The instructor told everyone who was willing to listen that some people are just too bad with machines to handle driving. It was quite a frustrating experience but I chose not to believe him. Instead, I improved my driving skills for a few more weeks and I passed my driving test the second time around. I got my driving permit two weeks later. If I had believed the instructor’s words, I would never have got the courage to sit behind the driver’s seat again. I would have let someone else tell me that I could not never drive and as a consequence, lived my life according to a script that someone else had written for my life. Now that has been said, let’s bust some negative scripts. Script 1: Perfection How many times have you failed to do something just because you thought you could not do it perfectly? You wait for the best idea to execute yet, the people who are able to do great things execute ordinary things in an extraordinary way. You don’t have to read all guides about starting a business. There is nothing like a perfect guide out there. We often let lack of experience or education deter us from achieving what we want in life. By focusing on perfection, we are not able to make much progress. Script 2: There are no opportunities in my country The most exciting thing about Africa is that not everything has been done. There is a lot of capacity for new ideas but you keep putting everything you want to do off just because you think there is no capacity to do what you want to. If you don’t do something, someone else will. So, would you rather take baby steps and see yourself prosper or would you rather wallow in self-pity? You can find ways of how to connect to your dream. The internet has made almost anything achievable whether it’s learning computer programming or starting an online business. You can achieve your dreams in your country. Script 3: I don’t have the time to pursue my passions We have all used this line at some point in our lives. It’s the perfect excuse when there is something you have always wanted to do but you just have not got down to doing it. Somehow, we can’t do the things we are truly passionate about. It could be writing a book, pursing a hobby, singing in a music band, or even going for further studies in a field you care about. The way you spend your time really tells a lot about what you value in life. Now that we’ve busted these scripts, here are steps to rewriting your life script. Understand the scripts that you have put on your life Understanding the life scripts you have placed on your life is the first step to changing them for the better. Be attentive to your thoughts. Listen to how you speak to yourself and to what you say. Any thought that starts with “You can’t do that” is a red flag. Write them down and get to the root of them. Ask yourself what could have caused them and how they are impacting your life. For example, you might think that you will never reach top management level at your company because of a boss you had who broke your self-confidence through very harsh criticism. This could be impacting your relationships with leaders who are capable of limiting your upward mobility in the company. Make a conscious decision to break free from negative perceptions of yourself. This will take some time but the most important thing is to take steps every day. Create systems for the life you want Systems make your life easy and they are what every organization needs in order to be successful. So, why not implement them in your life as a way of breaking free from negative scripts? Say you want to retire by 35 but everyone else around you says you should work till you’re 60. You could create systems that help you save your money, pay your bills, budget and invest. These will make your goal much easier for you as you will concentrate on other harder aspects of reaching financial independence like earning more money. If you have heard of the Pareto law, you know that 20% of input will account for 80% of output. You can drown out the noise from negative perceptions by creating deliberate systems. Every day will be productive, taking you one step closer to achieving your goals. What scripts have you allowed others or yourself to place on your life? What internal rules have you subconsciously ingrained in your mind and embraced as your reality?
4 helpful tips from Angela Ochello in ‘The Governor’
There’s just something incredibly beautiful about undertakings that require us to literally break our own glass ceiling. So many women are told to forget about venturing into active politics. And the appeal of this sector, especially in Africa has been generally zilch. At least this can be spiced up in our imaginations. EbonyLife TV’s series The Governor follows the ups and downs of Angela Ochello the Governor of Savannah state. We don’t know about you but for us, The Governor is particularly inspiring. We’ve learned a lot about decking out our own spaces, whether in politics, business, career or whatever it is we do. Here’s what else we’re learning from The Governor. Dress the part The 42-year-old Governor has a signature style that’s all her own, one that features a pixie haircut, classic and figure-flattering dresses and yes, dark lipstick. Equal parts sweet and no-nonsense. It’s a look that says any woman can easily be the boss and still look effortlessly sassy, no matter her age. And it’s no surprise that we love it! Age like a pro! We’re a little, okay very, excited about the revelation that Angela is 42! She looks so fabulous. Yeah, we know there’s the popular argument that good genes are responsible. Still Motherland Moguls, you can be a busy smart woman and still look this good. The days of looking raggedy in the name of being ambitious are behind us. Armed with the right information and care, you too can age like a pro. Multitasking…our turf It will surprise you to know that highly successful women like the Governor of Savannah state, also run successful homes. Applying multitasking skills to your business or job actually works. Imagine that in addition to a hectic career or business, most African women still do school runs, cook, clean and get other life errands done. If that’s not superwoman-ish, I wonder what is! Politics actually looks good on women Any woman who can endure the brutalities of politics deserves our respect. If you’re unsure over your plans to join politics, Angela Ochello makes it look like it’s not such a big deal. Real life hasn’t yet determined if more women, especially of African descent can safely attain lofty political heights. Still, we think women should go for it. It’s possible, ladies! You can watch the series on Thursdays at 9pm WAT on EbonyLife TV (DSTV Channel 165).
Starting a Business: The Very First Step
Ready to be an entrepreneur but confused about where to start? Do you want to wake up every day doing something you love? Are you ready to be your own boss? Call the shots? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you just might be ready to be an entrepreneur. But wait…do you know the first step in starting your own business? Before you run out and buy a $5,000 domain name, read this free guide to get you started down the path to financial freedom and personal fulfilment. This free guide walks you through the very first step in starting your own business: coming up with an awesome idea that sells. In this guide, you will find: Soul searching questions to help you pin down a business idea that is the right fit for you The main criteria used to judge a good business idea Stories and advice from women just like yourself Business ideas you can start today The secret ingredient that all great ideas have in common No one ever said starting a business was going to be easy, but it can be extremely rewarding. Make sure you start off on the right foot by downloading this free guide today. It walks you through the first step every entrepreneur needs to know before embarking on their exciting journey! Don’t delay! Get your copy today. So how do you download this free guide? Easy – just fill out the form below to join our community and get access to this guide and AWESOME weekly content. [ninja_form id=21]
7 entrepreneurial myths standing between you and your empire
The non-profit and even the for-profit scenes are booming across different industries. They are helping to strengthen communities in rural and urban areas across the motherland. It is pleasing to note that some of these budding entrepreneurs are women. Sadly, a lot of companies, organisations, and partnerships never go past their formation stages. Some of these ventures go bankrupt, are debt ridden and unfortunately, wonderful dreams die. Now, how do we encourage entrepreneurs, especially women, to venture into the unknown well-armed to outgrow the incubation stage? How do we get them disciplined enough to endure the initial pains required to become giant corporations? Well for starters, let’s try eliminating the myths connected with being your own boss. 1. You will have more time on your hands Yes, more time to rest! Or not at all. Don’t be fooled, ladies. You’ll have to work ten times more than the average employee working in an established set up. Remember that this is really about your dreams and aspiration. Getting the planning stage and everything else right should be your hobby. 2. You will make more money Of course, the ultimate goal is to increase your paycheck while being the next Bill Gates. But the honest truth is, you’ll not go above your budget without proper diligence. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in your ability to make money from your venture but it takes lots of discipline. There’s just no hard and fast rule to getting rich. 3. You are passionate about what you do and that spells excellence Contrary to popular belief, this is not a recipe for success. Sometimes, the things we’re most passionate about do not bring us financial gain. Finding ways to make your passion or hobby profitable is a skill on its own! 4. Your product/service will be sought after because you are popular This is another myth that has led to disappointment, especially for people with a wide network. People will not buy from you simply because they know you. If you’ve not proven to be an authority in your field with quick solution strategies, you may need to start thinking of ways of utilizing your own product or service. 5. Good entrepreneurs never fail As with everything, it is okay to fail. In fact, countless entrepreneurs failed repeatedly before succeeding at an idea. A perfect example is Evan Williams, co-founder of Twitter who failed at a podcasting platform called Odeo. Vera Wang also failed at different professions before becoming a fashion icon. Another famous example is Jack Ma of Ali Baba, the online shop. The list goes on and on. Be open to failure and keep trying! 6. The power card is all yours Refusing to be an employee and running your own empire is great, especially if your intentions are true. But if you’re driven by the desire to ‘lord’ over others, then you’ll be disappointed. Great empires are built on teamwork, shared ideas and collective effort. Mind you, though, you’ll need to work smarter than your employees. After all, it’s your idea. 7. A large capital investment with a great team makes a great company It’s true that capital and a great team are good tools for growth. But remember, some great companies started out in warehouses and backyards. Others started with less than five employees while investing in skills for their dream companies. The way forward Apparently, the best way forward for eliminating a stress-free work environment is by designing yours. Passionate people now lean towards innovation and job creation. It is the new cool to be called an entrepreneur as you can be the boss and set the rules. It’s no secret that in the last decade, new professions have emerged and improved existence and livelihood. Due to the needs of our dynamic environment, more intriguing jobs have evolved in the field of web app developing, blogging, SEO specialization and so on. Interestingly, women are at the forefront of challenging new fields in the service industry, science and engineering. Recently, the youngest female pilot, Zambian Besa Mumba made her maiden flight and she is only nineteen! In the end, Motherland Moguls, entrepreneurial myths or not, we can do this! Let’s begin, shall we?