 |
| Nigerian women |
Self-confidence is key for women entrepreneurs who want to thrive in Nigeria
Nigerian women have run their own businesses (small, medium and
large) for generations. However, in a society that is traditionally
dominated by men, women entrepreneurs have a history of being
undervalued
.
But that is changing.
More and more Nigerian women are being recognised for their
entrepreneurial skills, inspiring a new generation of enterprise-focused
young women in the country. For those young women who would like to
start their own businesses or have already started, here are a few
things worth knowing.
1. First, discover your interests.
While it is often not the case, building a business around one or
more of your interests could help sustain the fulfillment you get from
it. Beyond making a profit, it is important that you find happiness in
your business. If you can, turn your passion into an enterprise and you
could live your dream life.
2. Don’t suffer in silence.
There’s a horrible culture of stifling women in this part of the
world, relegating issues unique to them to the background like they
don’t matter, and many women have come to believe that they should
suffer in silence. Don’t buy into this culture. Speak out when you need
to. Ask for help before it’s too late, there’s no weakness in that. Find
(women) mentors in your area of interest, people you can rely on for
good advice when things get difficult.
3. Build healthy relationships with like-minded women.
If you want to go far in business, networking isn’t something to
ignore. Seek out other young women entrepreneurs and have conversations
that are relevant to your entrepreneurial goals. Attend conferences and
seminars for women in business. If you can afford to, join organisations
that assist women entrepreneurs. There is strength in numbers after
all.
4. Separate your personal and work lives.
For women who have responsibilities as wives or mothers, it’s very
likely that your personal and work lives will overlap often. To get the
best out of yourself at home and at work, you must run both separately.
If you can afford to, hire a personal assistant to keep you organised
and help oversee certain details of your life. Define family time and do
your best to leave work at work. You’ll have more clarity and keep
stress at a minimum.
5. Have faith in yourself.
Sometimes, your dreams will scare you. And even if they never do,
people will sometimes tell you that they’re impossible. In such
situations, your faith in yourself might be the only thing that will
keep you going. Remember that great entrepreneurs, even when scared, do
not give in to their fears. Be brave and confident in your ability to
achieve your goals and keep pursuing them.
Comments
Post a Comment