Entrepreneurship Agenda

 By: Nofisat Raheems                                                                              Networking platform  "You can’t do it alone. Nothing great was ever built in isolation." I'll tell you about Rolie. She had amazing ideas and an unwavering desire, yet she was trapped. Instead of running, her startup was crawling. She had the concept, the product, and the late hours driven by stubbornness and coffee. She lacked traction, though. She dragged herself to a small networking event one evening, fatigued and half-ready to quit. It wasn't the flashy kind—just a few people in a dimly lit café—and she wasn't seeking clients or investors; she was simply trying to feel less alone. She met Daniel that evening. He wasn't ostentatious; he didn't give her a g...

 By: Nofisat Raheems                                                                  Morning Habits of Prosperous Business Owners You're worn out. Not only physically, but also emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. Before you've even had a sip of water, you're already feeling swamped, behind schedule, and scrolling through a screen that tells you what matters. Nevertheless, you have lofty goals. You want to create something significant. Clarity, momentum, and perhaps even some tranquility are what you're after. However, the reality is that your business will also be chaotic if your mornings are. Let's take care of that. This isn't just another sermon about productivity. This serves as a warning. Because the most prosperous business people wake up with purpose rather than just "getting up early." Th...

 By: Nofisat Raheems                                              An entrepreneur launching her first business                             I'm going to assume you have a notion. For years, it may have been whispering to you. Perhaps you were in the middle of a dull Zoom call when it struck you like lightning. It's yours in any case. You still haven't begun, though. You are unable to move, not due to your laziness. Not because you lack drive but due to your fear. I understand that fear, I once experienced it. The Issue: Fear Pretended to Be Reason When I first considered starting my own business, I didn't call it fear; instead, I called it "being realistic." I told myself that I needed more money, more experience, and a better plan. I also told myself that the market was too crowded, that I wasn...

 By:  Nofisat Raheems                                              Lies Stealing Your Future You have the concept. The fire. The hunger. You spend your nights dreaming about the difference you could make, the freedom you could experience, and the legacy you could leave behind. However, you're still stuck in some way. It's not that you lack resources or talent, but rather that something more fundamental is preventing you from moving forward. The market is not the issue. The competition isn't the issue. Not even your bank account is involved. It's your convictions. In your head, there are silent saboteurs living in luxury. They persuade you to play small, cast doubt on you, and warp reality. Not only can these poisonous ideas slow you down, but they also put an end to your business aspirations before they can even begin. Let's name them and bring them in...

 By: Nofisat Raheems Winning a Mental Game  "The greatest battles are fought in the mind." — Casey Treat If you have ever attempted to start something from scratch, be it a business, brand, or even a side project, you are already aware that the hardest part isn't the market, the strategy, or the funding, but rather maintaining your sanity when everything seems to be falling apart. Let's face it, being an entrepreneur is more than just a job; it's a psychological rollercoaster. One moment you're feeling great after winning a customer or having a post go viral, and the next you're questioning your entire life because your product failed or someone abandoned your proposal. Does that sound familiar? Growth hacks and pitch decks are not the topic of this essay. The mental game is the key. Because no amount of hustling will save you if you don't learn to think reasonably. §   The Real Battlefield: Your Mind Being an entrepreneur will put your self-...

 By: Nofisat Raheems What if your big idea turns out to be less amazing than you initially believed and you only discover this after squandering months of your life and depleting your savings? To be honest, coming up with a company idea is simple. The majority of would-be business owners fail at validation. An expensive survey, a fancy pitch deck, or a prototype that costs more than your rent is not necessary; what you need is evidence that there is a market for what you are selling. You know what? You can obtain that proof without spending any money at all. Here's how. ¨   Step 1: Communicate with People, Not Just Your Friends Your mind is where your idea resides. The world is where your customers reside. Leave your comfort zone. §   Choose ten strangers who are a good fit for your target market. Local Facebook communities,         WhatsApp groups, LinkedIn, and Twitter are all excellent resources.  §   Question them : "Would you use th...