As a mentor to creative and food businesses, I’m contacted on pretty much a weekly basis by women, usually at a time of great change in their lives - on maternity leave and thinking about the prospect of return to work, illness and no longer being able to do a 9-5 as before or facing redundancy and being unsure about the road ahead. Being the amazing, creative and resourceful beings that they are, they usually have a seed of an idea for a business they’d like to set up. Or, like me, be looking to turn a hobby into a profitable business, so they can support their families while doing something they love. Quite often, faced with the prospect of giving up stable employment and the comfort of a regular monthly wage, they are understandably fearful of taking a leap into the unknown. I know when I found myself in this situation 6 years ago, this is exactly how I felt. Like them, I turned to entrepreneurship as a way of navigating this challenging inflection point in my life. I’ve been privileged to share my business journey with some pretty amazing, inspiring female entrepreneurs, many of whom, like me, started their businesses from home, as a side hustle, and have grown their start ups into into established, creative brands. They do a stirling job every day of juggling entrepreneurship with childcare, families, single parenthood, voluntary work, caring for elderly relatives - some of them with proper day jobs too, with such creativity, courage & determination. A few weeks ago I asked some of them what piece of advise they would give to someone setting up their business now. Their responses were as varied & diverse as these lovely ladies themselves. I’m sharing their advice here in celebration of female entrepreneurship on International Women’s Day 2018:
So there you have it. Twelve pieces of incredibly invaluable & insightful advice for anyone starting a food or creative business today. So tell me, if you are thinking of starting up, what's holding you back? Or if you're already on the start up journey, what piece of advice would you have? Let me know in the comments below. I'd love to hear your story. Nila x If you're a food or creative entrepreneur starting or scaling your business or looking to turn your hobby into a business then do come over and join my members only facebook group Kitchen Table Entrepreneur where I regularly offer support, tips/tricks and training to help you grow and become profitable. I look forward to meeting you over there! Other blog posts you might like to read:
4 Comments
Holly
3/8/2018 11:08:54 am
Brilliant article!
Reply
Nila
3/17/2018 09:22:12 am
Thanks Holly. There were so many other women I would have loved to include. I might have to do another post soon :) Nila x
Reply
Gemma Hutchinson
3/9/2018 10:32:15 am
Some really brilliant advice from some of the loveliest small business women I know. Wonderful post Nila - thanks for having me in there :)
Reply
Nila
3/17/2018 09:23:09 am
Thanks Gemma. I think you're all amazing and so inspiring. I'm so lucky to know you all :) Thanks for agreeing to be involved. Nila x
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorHey I'm Nila. I make beautiful iced biscuits and I'd like to help you launch or scale your baking business. Welcome to my blog. LET'S CONNECT
|