Build With Purpose and Direction
A cup of coffee and a doughnut usually energized Timothy for work but today it wasn’t working. Even though it was only 9 am, the sun was up and it was 19°C outside, the atmosphere felt very dark around him. Why? His business looked good from the outside but it had stagnated and was struggling to acquire and retain customers meaning low profit.
When he started, he had imagined that as long as he had a good product, people would flock to buy and the money would flow in. He had seen people in his circle start businesses and quickly live the high life but somehow it wasn’t so for him. His reflections were interrupted when someone greeted him
“Hey,” Tim looked up to see Hilda, a friend.
Hey, how are you?
Great. You?
Excellent. What brings you this way?
The usual, time out to think and strategize for the business.
Strategize?
Sure. Every business owner needs time to work on their businesses not just in.
Makes sense. So, what’s new?
Hilda launches into the story about how her business has changed and now employs 20 people so she is freer and more strategic therefore more profitable. Tim shared highlights of the challenges he is facing with his business growth when Hilda smiled and said,
Many small businesses are not structured for longevity but are built around subsistence. The challenge is that the entrepreneur is near-sighted and more focused on the immediate. Though this is ok at the start, businesses must move from subsistence to high growth to grow and reach profitability or sustainability.
How does that happen? Tim asked
The business owner must understand where they are on the scale of business, i.e. subsistence, formalized, dynamic or high growth. Next, establish what stage of business i.e start-up, early stage of profitability. Then…
Wait!! Why does that matter?
Well, every stage has its unique needs that determine its focus, so knowing where you fit helps you know what and how to build.
Interesting. I ran a small-scale business in the local markets, my growth is increasing steadily and though I started it out of necessity, I’m taking the initiative to see and chase opportunities. This I know puts me in the formalization stage but I need business development skills to stay consistence and know which strategies to implement and whom to partner with.
You have to be part of a growth-minded community that connects you to the right information and experts who can help you move step by step and simplify your business reflections. In fact, remember that day we met and I was running to a meeting?
Sure, you couldn’t say hi properly.
Don’t catch feelings, I was going to meet my mentor for my monthly review.
Why would you have a mentor when your business is doing so well?
Mentorship is part of the business training program I’m in and is critical to business success.
What business training program?
Wezesha run by Ongoza. In fact, how long have you been in business?
18 months or so.
Perfect because the business needs to be between 3 & 26 months old and making money. If I remember our last conversation, you were still trying to validate your product, figure out the market, build sales, and a team…right?
Yes, especially that team part…I must be in the office for more than a few hours if I want things to run.
Wezesha Entrepreneurship Training would really be ideal for you! It is seven weeks of flexible learning that will help you strengthen your survival rates, create that team and change your community through gender equality, lower inequality and contribute to its economic growth. Would that help you?
Of course. Especially the part where I will be the first beneficiary.
So, there’s a cohort starting soon, designed to equip you with the right skills to help you identify who your right customer is and how to serve them, identify the best marketing channels, refine your model, manage your finances better and other key skills your business needs to thrive. Would you join?
Of course, how do I sign up?
Chill, there is more!
Do tell.
After training, selected entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to receive Kes 100,000 in grant funding and go through a 1-on-1 mentorship program with an expert growth partner.
I am totally in.
If you are like Tim and need clarity about how to build your enterprise to stabilize it, click on the link to apply and we will reach out to you. If you know someone who needs business support, please share the link with them too.
If you need more information about the application call us at +254 720 018 852 or leave your contacts here and we will reach out to support your journey.
