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?

What are you accomplishing in 2017

 

Hey you,

 

What goals did you plan to accomplish this year? And how far have you gone to doing that? We are ending the 1st quarter of the year, what have you done to boost your chances of seeing your dream come to life? 2017 is a year of all things good! Don't waste in on just dreaming, wake up and bring your dream to life.

 

I have been quite lazy I must admit. I lost focus of my goals and dreams. Somehow I gave up and decided to be okay with working for other people and putting no effort on my goals.

 

Lately, I have been reading motivational articles on accomplishing goals and seeing a bigger picture, and I'm fired up. The reason why I wanted to be employed is so that I can save up or at least purchase the things that I need for my Photography and Boutique business. And now that I have somehow made a progress, I need to invest my time and energy to my dreams, I don't necessarily have to quit my day job :) but I should not be lazy and neglect my dream.

 

Cheers,