5 small things women in business tend to forget

5 small things women in business tend to forget

Over the past few years, we have finally started to notice a rise in “woman-owned” businesses in all different industries in Africa (Can I get an AMEN!).  These brave and fearless women are currently breaking the gender stereotypes that have been handed down to us and are boldly shaping the future of how businesses will operate, and this month we are dedicating all our articles to those women in business who are doing just that.

As you already know, starting your own business is both an exciting and daunting task, nothing can prepare you for what may experience and for the curve balls that will be thrown your way – this is added to your list of duties you already have as a hard-working woman. Sadly, however, female entrepreneurs seem to face more boundaries and setbacks compared to their counterparts, whatever the reason may be.

During their busy day-to-day lives and running of their businesses, women may become overwhelmed and forget some of the simple things they need to do to keep their heads above water.  We at have put together a small list to help remind those women out there who are trying to break out on their own;

1.      Continuous learning is key

As a woman, you already have an amazing set of skills and knowledge at your disposal that you want to share with the world, that is why you started your own business right? The biggest fault here is that women tend to get so busy and involved with what is happening with them both at home and at work, that they do not spend enough time developing themselves (you know what I am talking about).

Do not be your worst enemy by limiting yourself.  Set aside some time yourself to learn or refresh a skill that will benefit you and your business.  Not only will this benefit you as a person, but it will grow your leadership skills and your business.  You will also become a better decision-maker when it comes to the hard decisions and you will lead your team by example.

2.      Don’t shy away from opportunity

Hard work, dedication, and skill are great ingredients for success, but sometimes you can’t just rely on these things.  Having an open mind will lead you to some amazing opportunities that you would never have thought of before.

Africa is currently booming with new opportunities, ideas and amazing innovations, don’t be left behind by being too afraid to make a commitment to trying something new. One of the most important things you need to do is to keep the end goal in mind and to be aware of the positive things around you.  These might inspire some new and amazing ideas – it can never hurt to give the unconventional ideas some real consideration and thought.

3.      Apply lateral thinking in your day-to-day decision

Women have this amazing creative ability to discover new ways of doing things or finding great solutions to everyday problems, and it is these types of creativity and innovation that will help you stand out from the crowd.  It is always a great idea to think outside of the box and to push the boundaries of limits, but it is also critical to keep your finger on the pulse in your industry.

Trying something new and different might be a great fit for your business and by being brave enough to take that leap will really pay off.   By thinking laterally, you will be able to keep your products and services fresh, relevant and exciting – helping you stay ahead in your industry.

4.      Stay Focused

Let’s admit ladies, when things start looking good and start working the way we want it to, we tend to get caught up in all the excitement, but when this happens, it is important to stay focused on the key goals and objectives.  Before you get caught up in success, take some time out and appreciate all your hard work and achievements, but also take time to go over the lessons you have learned to get to this point. What went wrong, how did you fix it? What went right and how you can implement these strategies again – use these milestones to inspire your long-term goals.

5.      Network, Network, and network some more

Africa is not only beautiful and rich in natural resources, but the people who live here are passionate and full of information for what they believe in.  Never underestimate the power of learning from others. When starting and running your own business, there will be times when a problem arises, and you feel alone, but the truth of the matter is you are not.  By networking, you can learn from other people who have gone through similar situations and find out what they did to make things right again. Having different people around you give you instant access great sources of information as well as a platform to bounce ideas off when you have a decision to make.  Let’s face it ladies, making connections has never been easier when we have places like Nairobi Garage hosting amazing events that will help you grow.

There are many things and obstacles you will face as you run your own business, and unfortunately, it seems that women in business tend to encounter more than others.  But that is the beauty of being a bold and fearless woman and running your own company. Learn from others, celebrate the ups and learn from the mistakes.

If you are looking for some amazing networking events, that will not only boost your skills and knowledge, but will also help you make some GREAT connection – take a minute to look at what we have in store over the next few weeks and start networking for success!  Click here to look at our Nairobi Garage events.