And so, the
year is almost over! In 9 days, we’ll be in 2015. Uhmmm…Teach us to number our
days, Lord, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
I will be
reviewing my ‘business’ life in this interesting year of my life.
I decided
to take concrete steps in becoming financially literate and liberated. I
remember that a major motivation came as I asked for the price of a house close
to where we currently say. I was told that the house close to where we
currently stay cost 70 million Naira. Now that I think of it, the house is
still up for sale today. Was it overpriced? I think they’ve included the option
of leasing the house now. Anyway, I asked myself how I can afford the house.
I’m sure you realise I didn’t have the 70 million Naira then. Please don’t ask
if I have the 70 million Naira now, lol. Anyway, I realised that I need to up
my game when it comes to financial literacy and liberation.
One day
like that, I read a Tentmaker like post on Bro Strive Masiyiwa’s page. The seed
for this page was sown and a few days later, the page was set up.
One
Saturday, the Holy Spirit began to show me opportunities right under my nose
for multiple streams of income. I had been praying for multiple streams of
income since forever. He also opened doors that I didn’t realise existed that
required me to use my skills in a way that would not conflict with my job. He
showed me how dependent I was on my job. It had become a stronghold for me. I
still have the job today but I don’t believe I have the same mindset. It was
initially scary but I dare say I’m more liberal when it comes to my career now.
The Holy Spirit also opened my eyes to other streams of income that I can
engage in along with my regular job. He is a faithful God.
As I
explored one of the business opportunities that I was led to, I learnt so many
valuable lessons. I’ll share a few here and perhaps share more in subsequent
posts. The opportunity involves a perishable good. The first order I placed was
LARGE. I hoped to take advantage of the attractive prices for such large
orders. I also had a business plan that looked good on paper. Some of the goods
eventually got spoilt and I almost fainted due to the exhaustion of marketing
the goods. I definitely bit more than I could chew. I would have given up on
the business but I met two people that egged me on. One of them paid ahead for
goods to be delivered in two weeks. The second person owns a supermarket close
to where I live. She agreed to display the eggs in her supermarket. She spoke words
of encouragement just as I was about to give up. That day, I chose to be an
encourager. May God bless her abundantly.
As I
soldiered on, I lent more about how to motivate people, building a good rapport
with customers, remembering little details about each customer etc. I dare say
that this opportunity is actually a real life MBA for me.
I believe
that, as a nation, we have a lot to do to foster/encourage good customer
relations. There are still too many holes in service delivery, please. I’ve
learnt not to ask for too much. Is that ideal? No. Does it give me peace? Yes.
I almost always expect someone to fail so getting things at the time I want
them is a pleasant surprise. That’s how I can stay sane in a country where
someone agrees to meet you at 9 am and is still trekking from his house (about
20 miles away0 at 9:15am.
I have more
to share but I’ll like to invite you to share with us what business/career
lessons you’ve learnt in 2014.
It’s been
great having you on this page. Please stay with us in 2015 and invite others to
join us in Tentmaking.
Compliments
of the season.
