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· Danielle Southcott - Embrace Criticism Constructively
· Priyanka Pandey - Find Purpose for Consistency
· Prisca Masih - Consistency Drives Progress
· Kirti Guniyal - Keep Going Regardless
· Dr Rachel O'Connell - Belief, Perseverance, and Adaptability
· Sarah Macdonald - Purpose Leads to Consistency
· Michelle Cavé - Consistency Drives Success
· Charlote Staerck - Keep Going Despite Challenges
· Stephanie Hardenburg - Prove Yourself Through Quality Work
· Sheryl Vickers - Be Fearless and Build Teams
Embrace Criticism Constructively
Don't question your relevance or the worth of your contribution simple because nay-sayers target you as a women. Instead, take all of the criticism that are unequally distributed to you as valuable pieces of advice that are given to you to further strengthen your arguments.
Danielle Southcott, Founder, Veer Group
Find Purpose for Consistency
Find the purpose in life and this purpose will lead to consistency and consistency lead to success.
Priyanka Pandey, Founder, Zauvijek Tech Private Limited
Consistency Drives Progress
Consisitency makes you and your venture into progress
Prisca Masih, Founder, Robo Planet
Keep Going Regardless
Keep Going! (Regardless of what is and what may)
Kirti Guniyal, Founder, Studio7
Belief, Perseverance, and Adaptability
Belief: Have a deep conviction in your idea and its potential impact. Remember, belief fosters the resilience needed to navigate challenges.
Perseverance: Be prepared for setbacks and roadblocks. Embrace them as learning opportunities and push forward with unwavering determination.
Grit: Develop the mental and emotional toughness to overcome obstacles and persist even when things get tough.
Passion is key: Let your genuine enthusiasm for your mission fuel your journey.
Embrace lifelong learning: Stay curious, constantly seeking new knowledge and skills to stay ahead of the curve.
Build a strong support network: Surround yourself with positive and inspiring individuals who believe in you and your vision.
Be market savvy:
Responsiveness: Be attuned to your target market's needs and adapt your offering accordingly. Listen to feedback, conduct market research, and iterate based on real-world insights.
Discernment: Not all advice is created equal. Learn to critically evaluate guidance, seeking out mentors and peers who offer constructive suggestions aligned with your vision. Be wary of advice that leads you astray from your core values and goals.Don't be afraid to pivot: If market conditions change or you discover a better path, be flexible and adapt your approach while staying true to your core values.Celebrate small wins: Recognize and acknowledge your progress, no matter how small, to maintain motivation and momentum.
Dr Rachel O'Connell, Founder, TrustElevate
Purpose Leads to Consistency
Keep momentum up. Don't look for perfection, it will slow you down and you'll become scared of making mistakes. Mistakes in business are great. They teach you so much about where you should be going. Try not to make the same mistake twice though. Keep making different ones and keep learning from them. Also seek the advice of a business mentor. I have had business mentors that have given me a totally different perspective about what is possible for my business but also for my work life balance. Friends, family and work colleagues are great to bounce ideas off, however someone who is outside of the company, who has experience managing and leading is really able to bring fresh eyes and give clarity.
Sarah Macdonald, Founder, Canine Comprehension
Consistency Drives Success
As an aspiring or existing young woman entrepreneur, the entrepreneurship journey is as much about the inner resilience and tenacity you harness as it is about the strategies and decisions you make for your business. Your entrepreneurial path will undoubtedly mirror the essence of Brandfundi's journey: a testament to the unyielding spirit, adaptability, and strategic foresight required to navigate the often turbulent waters of starting and sustaining a business. At the core, entrepreneurship is about a deep commitment to your vision. It's about being ready to face challenges head-on, willing to make sacrifices, and staying true to your goals even when the path gets tough. The story of Brandfundi, though unique in its details, echoes a universal truth in the business world: success requires more than just passion and ideas; it demands hard work, dedication, and the courage to persist through adversity. Adaptability and strategic thinking are your allies. Like the changing tides faced by any business, you'll encounter situations that require you to pivot, rethink, and strategise anew. Remember, the personal and professional relationships you build will shape your entrepreneurial journey. Clear communication, mutual respect, and understanding become crucial in navigating these dynamics. Whether it's dealing with family in a business context or building a network of supportive peers and mentors, these relationships can be your greatest assets.In summary, your entrepreneurial journey is uniquely yours, but the qualities that will carry you through - resilience, hard work, strategic thinking, and strong relationships - are universal. Embrace these qualities, and you'll be well-equipped to steer your business towards success and fulfilment.
Michelle Cavé, Founder, Brandfundi (PTY)LTD
Keep Going Despite Challenges
Advice for Founders Building a Sustainable Brand and Business Model
Build from the Inside Out
Develop a brand architecture that embodies authenticity and action. This helps create genuine connections with consumers and drives meaningful impact.
Have a Clear Vision
Ensure your brand vision communicates the purpose behind your business and its relevance to sustainability. A compelling vision not only unlocks your brand’s potential but also inspires stakeholders.
Understand Your Consumer
Deeply understand and anticipate your customer’s needs. Being engaged with your audience, particularly if you’re passionate about the product or service, allows you to stay ahead of trends and meet consumer demands effectively.
Lead by Example
Sustainability should be fully integrated into all aspects of your business, from packaging to distribution and the materials used. It’s crucial to ‘walk the talk’ by practicing what you preach.
Ensure Visibility of Sustainability Efforts
Use your marketing channels to highlight your commitment to sustainable change. For example, at Handbag Clinic, we share our restoration expertise to create engaging content, which has led to significant growth on platforms like YouTube (115k subscribers) and Instagram (23.9k followers). The high engagement levels on these platforms have even allowed us to expand our team, including during the pandemic.
Value Your Team
Recognize that your team is your greatest asset. At Handbag Clinic, we share a common vision, fostering a culture of mutual development and dedication. Supporting the career growth of team members is both a privilege and a responsibility.
Be Ready to Work Harder Than Ever
Success is a long and challenging journey. While the path to achieving your vision is steep and often difficult, persistence and hard work are essential. Don’t be too hard on yourself as you progress.
Charlote Staerck, Founder, The Handbag Clinic
Prove Yourself Through Quality Work
If you want to succeed, you must keep going, even when others tell you to give up or when criticism abounds. Prove yourself by the quality of your work.
Stephanie Hardenburg, Founder, Counseling and Forensic Services, Inc.
Be Fearless and Build Teams
To be a successful entrepreneur, you definitely have to be fearless, have a solid work ethic, and have a high risk tolerance!Building a small team of people has been the greatest challenge, but very rewarding!
Sheryl Vickers, Founder, Select Sites
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