Is there a correct way of handling conflict in start-ups?
To answer the question, no. There isn’t a right way to handle conflict. Processes in start-ups are never linear, especially in the beginning stages. So when a disagreement arises between members of the start-up, there’s almost always a third party involved to resolve the issue. People are different, and can also react to situations very differently. Processes and policies put in place in big corporates solve this issue. But when issues arise in start-ups, processes and policies are thought of. What can start-ups do in the early stages to handle conflict? Acknowledge that conflict will occur Having to acknowledge that it will happen might seem cynical. But because people are different, the acknowledgement helps the start-up be realistic. Getting recognition in the beginning stages of a start-up is usually key. The beginning stages also include getting your product and service out to your target audience. At this stage, handling conflict by creating processes would be the least of your worries. Or so you may think. Being in an organisation that was being run like a start-up before —I’ve seen that if there is no process behind handling conflict, operations may come to a halt, especially if you’re working in a small team. Handle conflict according to its levels To fast track my advice on how to handle disagreements between people, it’s important to first rate the level of conflict. The different levels could be a low, medium or high. It may also be hard to rate the different levels. How would a start-up actually measure which conflict is more important than the other? This, I believe, is at the discretion of the organization. Identify each level and put processes in place to handle each level. Handle low or medium level disagreements internally within a few days or even hours. But a high level conflict means that a third party can be brought into resolve it and only the people involved should be addressed so that operations continue. Culture fit With any organisation, a culture fit between team members is important. People have different personalities, attitudes and different ways of reacting to situations. However, it is still very important to bring people into your start-up that know and understand the value of what the start-up is trying to achieve. Eliminate continuous conflict by involving people that believe in the values of the start-up. Align your goals and values with that of the start-ups to become the right person to work with. This way even if conflict does arise, as it always does in any organisation, people know what their purpose of being in the organisation is. With knowing and understanding the value of being in the organisation, the resolution stage can be much easier situation to reach.
You need workplace inspections
Last week, Ada noticed the office photocopier wasn’t working rightly. She thought it was negligible but didn’t say anything to anyone. The office has never had a workplace inspection plan. Yesterday, when Kate started to use the machine, she got electrocuted. Thankfully, Biola saw her and immediately switched off the equipment. Kate did not die. However, she sustained injuries. Now, that was very close! Who wants to waste business funds on scenarios that could have been avoided? These things happen! A lot of potential hazards can be stopped from growing into accidents through workplace inspections. Most times, we take happenings in the workplace for granted. Other times, we create tasks for ourselves and employees wrongly. Regular inspections can expose existing and potential danger. Hazards like a sharp nail, a blown fuse, faulty equipment, poor workstation design, uneven floors have a high potential to cause injuries and illnesses. Someone might be thinking “This is not for me”. Hold that thought. Are some more prone to injuries than others? Anyone can get injured on any type of job. People faint, fires start, people trip and fall, machines malfunction in various businesses. To really get things right, you would need a Safety Professional to help you with safety inspections. However, on your own you can begin to assess the work process (Are there repetitive tasks? Is the task properly designed? Do staff have sufficient break time?), the environment (What is the noise level? Is the workplace too hot or too cold?), the equipment (Does it malfunction? Is it appropriate for the particular task?). Workplace inspections could be done daily, weekly or monthly depending on the scale and nature of business. Workplace inspections are important to start-ups because they help you: Identify existing and potential hazards (danger) Recommend corrective actions Interact with employees and know their concerns as they perform their daily tasks Monitor existing corrective actions So, what have you observed at work that could lead to harm? Do something about it!
Let’s pitch your business, shall we
A pitch is a 30 seconds monologue of what you do, why you do it, and how your work is innovative or unique. People have short attention spans and busy calendars, so you want to have a clear, brief, and enticing pitch prepared. Your pitch will ensure that you make the most of every opportunity, and present your commitment and yourself in the best light possible. You may be wondering what an elevator pitch is. An “elevator pitch” is a concise,carefully planned, and well-practiced description about your business that your grandmother should be able to understand in the time it would take to ride up an elevator from the 10th floor to the ground. Wherever you are networking; meeting with funders, writing a grant application, or riding an elevator with someone you want to impress, you should have a pitch prepared. To create a pitch, imagine this… You meet Glenda on the 10th floor. Glenda is a potential partner and she asks you about your business, describe it in a way that is unforgettable and stands out. Now, follow these steps. Condense Select 4-8 specific keywords that describe your business. When you select, be authentic and original. Don’t try to be who you are not or use words with unclear meanings. Organize The simpler the sentence, the better. How can you organize your keywords into an idea in the least number of words? Inspire The sentence should remain at the heart of your pitch. However, to effectively engage your audience, start with a brief description of why.This can be useful if the issue you are seeking to address is complicated, the listener will understand why as you explain what you do. Expand (a little) You can add several sentences to your pitch that answer who, what, when, where, why, and how, but remember to be concise. Practice The only way to ensure that your pitch goes smoothly is to practice (a lot). Record yourself while practicing to make sure you’re presenting yourself and your commitment well. Practice with friends, in the end they should be able to echo the key points. Think about the questions people may ask, and prepare your answers. Now, here’s what to do when delivering a pitch. Audience/Objective The first thing you need to do is figure out who you are talking to and what you want them to do for you. Are they potential funders, volunteers, or partners? This will guide your pitch. Problem statement The challenge you intend to address is important, but you shouldn’t dwell on it extensively. Quickly outline the issue, then explain what you are doing about it and why. Competitive advantage Explain the aspects of your commitment that differentiate you from everyone else. Address how your commitment is new, specific, and measurable, and why you are positioned to tackle the challenge your business addresses. A business needs to clarify what sets it apart; its own “purple cow”. Something that is unique in a crowded market. Storytelling Humanize your work. Pick an inspiring and engaging story that supports your pitch, steer clear of jargon, and demonstrate why your commitment matters. Always have stories ready when networking. Next steps You didn’t spend all this time preparing for nothing. Ask for a business card, a follow-up call, or an opportunity to send along more information. Think of a way to continue your engagement after the conversation ends. Always follow up promptly, within three days at most. In conclusion, determine what success looks like to your business and leverage the right communication tools. Small businesses often think they need to be on every social media platform to keep up. Businesses should first define what it considers to be its success; and then pick the tool that best tells this success story. This tool may be a monthly newsletter, a slideshow of impactful images on your website, or a blog post or narrative video that can be shared on Twitter and Facebook. Don’t be caught without your pitch ready!
4 reasons you should start that business
[bctt tweet=”There is never a perfect time to start a business and you may never have enough capital” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Traditional career paths aren’t just for everyone, neither is entrepreneurship. And you know what? That’s totally okay. Some are destined to be entrepreneurs but for others, it’s scary, intimidating and too demanding. It can be a terrifying journey but can also be fulfilling and rewarding. All it takes is preparation and a significant amount of effort to start that business. Mind you, there is never a perfect time to start a business. You may never have enough capital, enough experience or zero risks. And there are no guarantees that your business will either fail or succeed. But hopefully, the reasons below are enough to make you want to start that business you have been meaning to. Here are 4 reasons why you should start that business. 1. Flexibility in hours You are able to do whatever you want, spend more time with family and friends. And even get involved in your community. You can work from anywhere too. How cool is that! However, running your own business requires some serious organizational skills or else you may end up with a lot of wasted, unaccounted hours. 2. Creating your own environment You get to set the formality and culture of your organization or business. Everyday, new challenges will bring you new experiences and perspectives. This is not as easy as it sounds but these three points can assist you in creating that environment: Develop an individual and business strategic plan: The process of developing a strategic plan is a reflective process. It is as energizing as it is interesting. Linking your individual goal with your business plans works extraordinarily well. The effect ensures a cohesion of values and aspirations. Have a business personality: Write a concept note that aptly highlights the personality of your business. This is important because it summarizes what your business is all about and what it does. It is also a great way of sharpening fundraising skills as well as communicating why your business exists. Enroll in a class or online course: This will help to facilitate your personal and professional growth while strengthening your analytical skills. This can amazingly help you in articulating your business’s strategies. [bctt tweet=”Start your business if you want to create your own working environment, and more” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 3. Pursuing your passion You can do what makes you happy by creating something from scratch while learning the ropes of your industry. First-hand experiences and exposure to new cultures are great for business growth. 4. Creating jobs Improve the economy with new job opportunities and use your products and services to improve people’s lives.
Noluvuyo Cakwebe: There’s much more to fashion designing than fabric cutting
When thinking about a fashion degree, the popular career choice would be being a fashion designer or seamstress. But there are many more than that. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be unpicking this industry along with its various career options. I’ll be shedding a little light on each career option in this industry. I ‘e-met’ (met over email) Noluvuyo Cakwebe earlier this year when I was sourcing clothes and shoes for a photo-shoot. Her willingness to help, without knowing me from a bar of soap was amazing, I couldn’t simply forget her! Of course, when I started this journey of finding out more about this industry, I immediately thought of her! When Noluvuyo isn’t in the kitchen, (which she loves), cooking up something delicious to share with her friends and family, she tries to keep up with her love of running. She enters as many running events as she can. And in the few minutes she has for herself, she is always sewing up something for herself or her friends. My series of articles on fashion-related careers is aimed at educating people about the various career options they have with a fashion qualification. Would you say that someone who also has a National Diploma in Fashion has other options, besides being a Fashion Designer? Most definitely, most people think that fashion ends with being a fashion designer, pattern maker or fabric cutter, but it is broader than that. One can go into procurement —buying, sourcing, retail planning, retail–visual merchandising, sales, store management, personal shopper/stylist, editorial assistant, quality assurance and warehouse assistant/ manager. Yes! Being a fashion designer is not the only option! I understand that you’re a merchandise coordinator. Please tell the readers a little more about your position. I am the merchandise coordinator for the men’s fashion department, at Spitz. My role entails assisting the buyer with raising orders, liaising with suppliers and the marketing department. Also, I manage and receive department samples, compile trends and competitor reports, compile and analyze sales and month-end reports. And how did you get into this career? I studied a National Diploma in Fashion and further completed a certificate in Wholesale & Retail Buying & Planning. I studied at the University of Johannesburg and got my certificate in Wholesale & Retail Buying & Planning at EDCON under SETA. What does your typical day look like? It is nothing like a picture from the Devil Wears Prada! I come in every morning to catch up on emails relating to stock deliveries and due costing for the stock to arrive at the warehouse. Then, I ensure that we are receiving stock at a good margin and good price. I analyze daily sales by identifying good and best sellers (stock that’s selling well or badly) for my brands. Alright and how would you combat the poorly performing stock? How do help them perform better? As much as we try to buy styles based on fashion trends and sales history, it is sometimes hard to nail the sales we project. So we analyze what the possible reasons could be. For instance, it could be a certain style detail that could have been in fashion but doesn’t seem appealing to our target market. Other instances could be price-points. We may just be highly-priced compared to our competitors and need to reduce the price. Sometimes, we may have missed opportunities in allocating stock to the correct stores. So we move the styles to stores that are performing better. With our South African economy and unemployment looking very bleak, would you say that a career in fashion offers the possibility of entrepreneurship for graduates? Yes, I believe anyone can start any business with the use of their hands and minds. One could venture into making simple things such as handbags, accessories, clothing or curtains, to having a business that sources t-shirts, work wear, and small corporate gifts. Nowadays, most people are even making money from blogging in their spare time. Some sell a variety of products over social platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook. However, one should never underestimate the advantage of working for someone. That’s if you have a dream of starting your own business one day. You get to absorb a lot of skills and knowledge. Especially if you are intending on starting a business in the same industry. Experience can go a long way. What would your advice be to scholars who want to follow a fashion-related career? This might sound cliché, but I have always known I would end up in the fashion industry since I was a little girl. You need passion for the ever-changing trends, be creative and highly driven. Being able to work efficiently on your own, work smart and plan your week in order to make necessary deadlines are all important. A sharp eye for detail is required in ensuring that you don’t miss anything crucial. Breaking into the industry is tough and competitive. But if you have a vision of the future, your career journey will be enjoyable and fruitful. Have fun exploring other career paths that you could possibly have an interest in the near future. Never limit your abilities! Do you have any advice for the parents of the scholars wanting to follow a career in fashion? I have always appreciated how my mother supported me, from the day I told her what I wanted to study in varsity (fashion). There is a lot of pressure in delivering what is needed, especially when your child has more than 6 subjects in one semester. They will need support in advising them on how to manage their time, with school and their social life. Parents should prepare themselves for unforeseen expenses for projects and fabrics. With so many activities and promotions that are held on campus, they give your child an opportunity to make extra money. You can find Noluvuyo on LinkedIn as; Noluvuyo Cakwebe. Want to see women you know featured on SLA? Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.
Dealing with small minds around you
We all have small minds around us. I mean let’s face it, not everybody can be an out-of-the-box thinker. Now, picture this. You’re seated, excitedly sharing your dreams with a friend or a family member and the next thing you hear is, “Why?” Confused you ask, “Why what?” And they launch into an almost rehearsed tearing down of your dreams. Oh boy! You get questions like; “Why do you need to go to a fashion school, why don’t you just do what every other person is doing ?” “Everybody is doing it, so why should your own be different or better.” The really mean ones will go all out and tell you, “It will not work.” “Better just keep it small and forget about all that big dream.” Then they will call you names like, “I too know” or “over sabi.” If you’re someone really nice, you’ll probably spend time trying to explain to people who cannot see beyond the small scale. These people can’t see why your dream is not only feasible but a sure thing. The ones that sadden me the most are those who hide their disbelief small minds and even jealousy behind religious excuses. I’ve heard them all, “Money is evil, your plans are not ‘godly’” “Christians cannot go into fashion, or cosmetics or modelling.” As entrepreneurs and ladies, we sometimes have to battle negative feedback from those around us. Those who project their fear of taking the risks on us. Don’t get me wrong, not all of them mean harm. For some, it’s just they way they are, the way they have always thought. They can’t see outside the box. Evidently, that is not you, you see beyond that. You have probably gone through the SLA website and have seen what young African women are doing and you get ‘gingered’. Your dreams are forming, you’re redefining your plans, you expand your horizons, you go back to the board and re-evaluate. Oh, the excitement. You want to share the good news! But it’s straight back to the earth when somebody hits you with the dead weight of their own reality. You are shaken, you take a critical look at the economy and, uh oh, doubts are creeping in. Listen you don’t need all that. What you need to do is… Change your sounding boards Don’t worry, they will come around later. For now, at the early, fragile state of your dreams, you need a support team of like-minded peers, people who can see from your point of view and push you along. Know that that you’re not the only one Nothing is new under the sun. Everyday, someone gets a new idea, (well not entirely new but you get the gist). And each day, someone gives up on their dreams. Probably because somebody, anybody around them just couldn’t believe in the dream to be supportive enough. Don’t be that one who gives up at the end of the day. Don’t explain your self Popular Nigerian artiste, Olamide sang, “who you epp?”. I think that’s self-explanatory. Let the dissuasion push you There are several versions of this statement but grow with the adversity, anyway. Learn to use the attacks or negative words to grow. Remember the story of the donkey? Yeah. Be wise and picky The only consideration I take into account is from the Holy Spirit. Others, even my mum’s, are subject to scrutiny and probable discard. As much as I love my family and friends, we’re not all on the same wavelength. Realize that it will be hard And don’t let it discourage you or make you believe your small-minded crew. Initially, it’ll be hard and for some, harder than others. On some days, there may be virtually no results and you may run at a loss. But your first victory is always sweet. Be convinced They are your dreams, yeah? Good. Then be convinced about them. It will take all the conviction you have to stay on track and not veer off when those around you are taking apart your well-laid plans with their words. You will second-guess yourself, you will be tempted to concur. You might just as well throw up your hands and give up. Nah, that’s not an option. Be centered Focus. Centered. Same thing. Keep your eyes on the goal. Don’t reduce your goal down to your power. Instead, match up your goal with your faith. Think up. The best athletes know not to look at the other athletes when running. But to keep their eyes on the finish line. It’s all for the love Remember, it may all be for the love. Those that care about you, don’t want you making mistakes. Still, you should filter. While I am tempted to say zone out, I’ve come to realise that sometimes listening to the not-so-toxic criticisms can inspire you to tweak your plans. It can also open your eyes to loopholes. Above all, start on the dream and keep going forward. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Help! I don’t have a mentor
If you’ve read articles and stories of successful entrepreneurs, the word ‘mentor’ must have stood out. Even the established entrepreneurs still have mentors. And you wonder, what more do they still need to learn? Successful entrepreneurs know the benefits of having a mentor and one of those benefits is the opportunities for learning. So what happens if you don’t have a mentor? Relax, it’s not the end of the world. However, here are a few things you should do: Read books What do you need a mentor for? Do you need a guide or someone to share their business journey with you? Do you need to learn from their mistakes? Do you want to learn how to manage time, make a sales pitch or form partnerships? What better way to learn all that than reading books written by successful entrepreneurs? Reading is the way, ladies! It can’t be that hard. Try peer-to-peer mentorship When founders talk about mentors, they refer to business owners who have had about fifteen years or so of business experience. Unfortunately, very few of these business owners have time to dedicate to mentoring startups. Now, you could consider being mentored by a founder within your age group. The good thing about this is that being in the same business environment, you can relate with this mentor. He or she can prove the best person to bounce off ideas with as they’re probably also among your target clients. Quit with the attitude One thing that can put your mentors off is the I-know-it-all attitude. As an entrepreneur, be prepared to be criticized, shaken and moulded. Keep in touch with your mentor(s) and update them on your progress. You would need to be that proactive. Leave the sour attitude at the door and be ready to be guided. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs give up along the way, and complain about their mentor not making time for them and criticizing them too much. Well, guess what, it’s all part of the learning process. In conclusion, to be mentored, you’d need an open mind and a teachable attitude.
5 things every startup should do to gain traction and attract customers
My parents always taught me that I have no limitations in life. Despite growing up in a society that tends to favour boys over girls, I grew up believing that everything I do will turn out well. And I always act out my belief everywhere I find. You can call me “Miss Optimistic”. In line with my “no limitations” mentality, I started Onpoint Success. I’m digressing but at heart, I’ve always been an entrepreneur. My first venture was at age 10 while planning my 10th birthday. I came up with the idea of custom-made invitations and was actively involved in every detail, from planning to music. Most people who attended were thrilled that a girl so young could pull such a feat. Soon, I was the go-to person for custom- made invites and party planning. In my middle, high school and college days, I was that girl offering to teach, share knowledge and empower others. An attitude that earned me the name “Mother Hen”. I found joy in helping others tap into their potentials and build something out of nothing. I didn’t really think much of it. After I graduated from college, I got married, relocated to the United States and started working as an environmentalist. Then, I made the decision to launch my events planning business on the side. However, something interesting happened. While minding my business, I started receiving messages from friends and strangers alike. They wanted me to share with them, tips on how to start and grow a small business. Being the “Mother Hen” I was, I spent the bulk of my time helping others build a better life for themselves. That was when I decided to launch Onpoint Success. I’ve been optimistic about getting it right from the very first day. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that thinking about a thing is very different from actually doing it. It was an uphill battle attracting customers who were willing to pay for my services. I had to wait fourteen long and excruciating months before the first customer paid me. I remember dancing when I got paid doing what I love and it felt so good! Today, even though I’m still working my way to the top, I teach, mentor and inspire other women entrepreneurs. I help them attract customers and get paid doing what they love. The only difference is —they do not have to wait as long as I did. Attracting customers All businesses need customers to survive. Unless your startup is a charity organization, the only way to prove your idea is viable is by getting willing people to pay for it. In my case, like I stated earlier, it was an uphill battle despite knowing that I had something valuable to offer. If you are a retailer, attracting customers might be easier, depending on what you sell. But even at that, prospects usually don’t like to be the first to pay you! As a startup, what then can you do to gain traction and attract the type of customers you’ve always dreamt of? Give freely “Touch the heart before asking for a hand” – John Maxwell I never gave thought to this quote by John Maxwell but once I started Onpoint Success, it all made sense to me. As a startup, one of the fastest ways to gain traction and make people believe in your brand is by giving things out for free. Most prospects may not want to pay for something that has not been “tested and proven”. To help people minimize their risk and open up the barrier of entry, consider giving things out for free. That’s what I did at Onpoint Success and it worked. I consulted for free with those who were trying to grow their business. I shared my expertise with those who were willing to listen. I consistently did this anytime I had the opportunity. This, in turn, helped me gain credibility and trust which then led to my first transaction and many more after that. Make your business presentable People send me emails to say how impressed they are with the way I presented my business. It’s all about being intentional and paying attention to details others might overlook. Simple things like having a blog, a company email address, and even a business card communicates to others that you are ready for business. In a mall the other day, I just couldn’t resist stopping by a cupcake vendor stand even though I had no plans to buy. Oh, how good looking and attractive it was! The cakes were well arranged on the stand, the decor matched the icing on the cake and the samples were strategically placed at the edge of the table. Eventually, I made a purchase. I have learnt and always shared with others that first impression really does go a long way. Yes, you might be a startup but presenting your goods/services to the best of your ability is a great way to gain traction and attract customers. Target audience One of the struggles I had was defining my target audience. And even when I knew exactly who they were, I was too scared to limit myself to those group of people. This made me stretch my resources too thin. It was almost like maxing out trying to reach those who barely cared about what I had to offer. The result? Wasted effort! The truth is, the marketplace is a jungle. Running to every tree in the jungle or telling every tree in the jungle to come to you is not the fastest way to attract customers or build a successful enterprise. The best way to go about this, is by identifying and deciding the specific species of trees that NEED your services. There goes your magic formula. Build your business focusing on specific customers. Make effort satisfying the needs of these customers and watch them begin to flock to you. Technical know-how I believe every business owner should strive for excellence. As a business strategist, I committed myself to learning as much as I could. So, when I met with prospects, I created an impression. Also, it’s better
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?