Business, Technology And the Older Generation

I am faced with a question of why do a lot of  women feel the need to stick to one thing and not think outside of the box when it comes to business ideas? Someone I know keeps talking about getting into a business that either involves a boutique, a phone business, or cosmetics in Tanzania. I can very well understand that these are the things she likes and spends her finances on, and also because a lot of women she knows are also in these similar businesses. But it makes no sense to get into something JUST BECAUSE!

I have several times advised her not to try any of those businesses, instead, either get into agriculture or not do any business at all. I say this because, if you can't see yourself making above the bare minimum, then you are not qualified for the business. Lack of knowledge of what you need to do to get a step ahead in your revenues is a big challenge. Not having creative ideas on how your business can stand out from the rest or reach a wider target is again another challenge to the business and your finances. 

The point I always make to her is, there are plenty of shops and perhaps 70% or more of  in Tanzania selling cosmetics, phones, or clothes, what guarantees you that yours will have more customers than the next shop? And this I say because we are not talking about a 20 or 30 year old lady who wants to open a 'talk of the town' shop with great marketing ideas, using social media to promote her business, getting international connections to make imports easy on her, or cater to celebs to get fame for her business. This is an older person with ideas of (1) have a capital, (2) have a sales lady, (3) get a good location and (4) import goods from a country where things are affordable and viola! money will come flooding in. 

In this day and age, where everything needs extraordinary to succeed, how can we still have the old age mentality? Or even worse, not think of a need to get education on what we want to invest our money/time in? Is there any hope for the older generation in this era where technology is what might give you an edge? 

I do not say this to hate but to have a genuine understanding of why people think being a next shop on a busy street will guarantee financial success. I say this because I tried doing a boutique business, and for the most part, most of my clients were from other regions and I had to ship items to them, thanks to social media and good bus services. Will this be something that an older person can do? Or must one hire a marketing guru for a business that has capital close to what a marketing expert might require for a year's retainer to help the business grow? will that be worth it?