Entrepreneurship

The Christian Woman and Entrepreneurship

October 30, 2023October 30, 2023 by Ophelia Tsenuokpor

I love to write, and I enjoy flipping through my old notes or journals to discover which old dreams I wrote down have been achieved or forgotten. Recently, I found myself flipping through my ‘Woman on a Mission’ journal and came across the notes I had prepared for a talk I was to give in 2021 to women on entrepreneurship. I decided to enhance it a bit and share it here, along with the link to the video.

No comments on my Twi please 😂 .

The video has more details on the talk and the views from the women who were present.

The groups of women in business

To ensure that the talk was not skewed toward one group, a breakdown was needed to address the specific needs of each group. These were the groupings that were identified:

Full-time workers
Full-time workers with side gig(s)
Full-time entrepreneurs

Full-time workers

The common theme within this group is the desire to earn additional income and the knowledge of when to make the decision to quit their job.

These were the short points I spoke to:

Be dedicated to your work, but avoid overworking to the point where it compromises your life or family.
Ask for help and build a good support system to help you achieve your career aspirations.

Factors to consider when you want to quit your job

It is essential to grow your savings, but always keep in mind that unexpected events can occur. You can never be fully prepared. I ran out of my savings at a point in time.
Make sure it’s the right time; otherwise, you may come to regret it. Looking back, the moment I ventured out without a backup plan, placing my full trust in God, the journey has been remarkably peaceful. This, however, is a story for another day. I would suggest praying about it, and when the time is right, you, and only you, will know.
It requires sacrifice and a personal drive.
It is important to know your why. Flexibility can still be enjoyed as an employee and finding the right employer can be extremely beneficial. Quitting is not the only solution.

Full-time workers with side gig(s)

I support this approach because it allows you to take risks while exploring various business opportunities, all while maintaining the security of your monthly salary. This approach can be suitable for women with a moderate risk appetite. However, the drawback is that, without self-motivation and the establishment of proper structures and systems, the side gig may not receive the full attention it needs to grow.

Some businesses we start may not survive in the long run, but we carry the experience and lessons forward to our next project. For instance, during my stay-at-home days I sold wedding gowns on a preorder basis but this business is no longer operational. We have to also learn to know when to let go.

Factors to consider when starting/running a side gig

It is essential to understand yourself, identify your strengths, and, most importantly, your purpose. Create a list of things you love to do, begin exploring various options, or seek input from trusted family and friends. However, the final decision ultimately rests with you.
Learn to view failures as learning opportunities, not as defining events.
We all have gifts, and how we use them will determine whether they will be multiplied. Read the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30).

Full-time entrepreneurs

This approach, despite the benefit of time flexibility, can also be equally stressful. Systems need to be put in place, just as you would in a traditional working environment, because there is a thin line between the business and your personal life.

You will experience both highs and lows; these are all part of the journey.

Paying attention to record-keeping is crucial, as knowing the numbers is essential for making effective business decisions.

Since you will be running the business alone, it’s important to start considering the team you want to build, the skillsets that would be needed and how to establish trust with those you would work with. Prayer plays a significant role in this aspect.

Summary points

1. You may find yourself alone on this journey. The majority doesn’t necessarily represent the correct path.

2. Build a sustainable business for long-term success, and be prepared to mentor one or more individuals.

3. Be prepared to do what is necessary on the journey to discovering the main goal.

4. Don’t forget to give forward.

5. Always discuss your plans with God first before man.

6. Get help or a trustworthy network of ladies. Read Proverbs 31 and work with verses that the Holy Spirit reveals to you. You cannot do it all on your own.

7. Take a break periodically

What else would you add? I would love to hear from you.

Lots of love,