Hello there!
I am excited to connect with you.
This is my first discussion as a columnist here on Edugist.
I write on entrepreneurship, Business, Innovation, Investment, and leadership.
Our goal is to use this medium to close the gap in Business Education. Our target audience is would-be, early-stage entrepreneurs who are in dire need of information to give an edge or advantage in navigating the business world in Sub-Saharan Africa.
With you, my dear readers, we will cut through the technical jargon, the glitz, and the glam to share practical business insights and stimulate the right conversations that will yield better decision-making.
I pledge to you that I will not import foreign concepts or vague ideas that I may have picked up in foreign books, I will keep it local, practical, and relatable, I am a strong believer in the saying; “Culture trumps Strategy”. Against the norm, you will hear more failure stories because Success is a lousy teacher. This page is not intended to motivate you, if it does, well that’s okay, but it is not meant to, it is meant to foster Discipline, Motivation in our world of today is overrated.
If you are still here after reading the “Riot Act” above, then you are my audience, welcome, we will have a thrilling journey. As you may have observed, this page is not for everybody just as Entrepreneurship is not for everyone.
Let me put it out there, anyone can be an entrepreneur but not everyone will become one! You mustn’t be one, you can work for one if that makes life easier for you, then also if you are of this category stop reading now and go skill yourself to do better on your present job or get a job!
But before you go, let me let you in on the other side of entrepreneurship so you have an idea.
It is the litmus test for entrepreneurship:
Are you ready to take bold steps and take risks?
Are you ready to sleep only for about 5 hours daily, working while others are asleep?
Are you ready to forgo certain TV shows, programs, and sports that you enjoy even on the weekends?
Are you ready to deal with constant anxiety and face uncertainty head-on?
Are you ready to lose money including your initial investment from your savings and keep going?
Are you ready to be doubted by close friends, spouses, and associates?
Are you ready to get a “NO’ today and wake up tomorrow and try again only to get another “NO”?
Are you ready to earn money but use it to pay salaries while you remain unpaid for a while?
Are you ready to sleep in your office due to work? Wake up, clean up, and continue?
Are you ready to strive to meet deadlines, you do and still lose the deal.
Are you ready to receive, use, and return other people’s money?
Are you ready to take that phone call from a client or vendor who you owe, and you know is about to scream angrily at you?
Are you ready to see the money to buy a good car in your account but you must re-invest it in your business?
Are you ready to share the interest and ownership in your company with other people when the need arises, knowing other people will now have a say?
If you can’t answer an emphatic “Yes” to all these questions, I am sorry you didn’t make the cut, get a job, and build a career, entrepreneurship is not for you!
It is as simple as that.
Next week we will discuss a core trait that every entrepreneur must have! , I hope I haven’t scared you away, if I haven’t, well, see you next week!
Ugo is out.
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