Lessons for the Journey: Betty Irabor

It is never over for anyone, whenever you wake up is your morning! - Betty Irabor.

 

 

Before delving into what we have for today, I would love to answer some questions that came up from last Tuesday’s post.

Not everyone must be an entrepreneur. It is just always good to have more than on stream of income. So if you can invest in someone else’s business, please do.

Not everyone has to leave their job to develop their passion, it just depends on the kind of passion you have and the kind of job you do. Remember what madam Awosika said, “Having a FULL TIME job and RUNNING a business is like chasing two birds at a time…

Remember, when God has given you beans, it takes you to make it into either moin moin or akara, just make something of it!     

 

We will most certainly not go on without mentioning a thing or two learnt from thestory of our dear Olajumoke/Tybello.

 

 

1.     She wasn’t at home whining, like the biblical Ruth, she was at the point of duty when she met her agent of help.

2.     Did anyone notice how nicely she was dressed? Come on, she was hawking bread, yet dressed like she was going for an occasion. That’s why people could see the modelling in her.

3.     Did you see the way she meticulously arranged her bread? All neatly arranged and looking attractive.

4.     She could have done ‘that other job’ you know, instead she stayed with the decent kind not minding how demeaning it can be.

Here is the thing, God blesses the WORK of our hands; there must be a work. Whatever you find your hands doing, do it well. Be prepared every time, you never know when opportunity will come knocking. And most importantly, stick with DECENT!

Before God brings you the bumper modelling contract, abeg keep selling your bread...

Now, to the main gist of the day…

                                      Our 'girl entrepreneur' for today is:

 

 

NAME: Betty Irabor

BUSINESS: Genevieve Magazine

POST: CEO/Editor-in-Chief

INDUSTRY: Publishing

Her story in Summary:

1.     Always had a passion for the art.

2.     One of the 5 children raised by a single mother.

3.     Like every average Nigerian graduate, she joined the ‘Frank Donga Ministry’ and got jobs, first as a journalist and then as a Public relations/Administration manager.

4.     All the while, never stopped writing; freelanced for Vanguard, This Day, Guardian etc

5.     She did a review of her life at age forty and realized though it had been a good life, her deep set yearnings had still not been met.

6.     To prevent this awakening from fizzling out, she immediately started working on it

7.     Started by creating dummies and showing to friends and family

8.     Had a reason for the name Genevieve

9.     From the onset, the values and principles that would define  and govern te publication were clearly stated

10.   Got a consultant to draw up her business plan immediately

11.    Had increasing passion and firm belief in the success of the publication

12.  Inaugurated a board for the purpose of Checks and Balances

13. Instituted an advisory board and began searching for staff who were vision carriers

14.   One challenge was that she had to develop a template to work with as it was the first of its kind

15.   She had to institute a working solution for some of the challenges ahead; funds, infrastructural deficiencies, inconsistent power supply, circulation and marketing etc.

16.  One major mistake was not drawing a financial structure from start, led to losses in the first 2 years. She then employed a financial manager.

17.  Carried her husband and family along so she got their undiluted support

18.   A staunch believer in God

19.  Her plan is to build an empire that will outlive her thus; she already has in place, a handover strategy for continuity.

 

Now let’s talk!

§  There’s something inseparable about passion and career

§  Family background doesn’t matter at all in pursuing your dreams

§  Madam Betty started out as ordinary as You and I

§  Never stopped fanning her passion

§  It’s never too late to take a hold of your life and make something beautiful out of those inner yearnings you have

§  You need to START!

§  Have a reason for every step you take in  your business especially the name it goes by

§  Set up your values and principles, draw up your business plan (ask someone to help if you cant yourself), have people you can report to and build a financial structure from start

§  Lack of funds is never a reason not to start, start small, start with dummies, just start!

§  Carry your family and friends along, you need that support system (especially for days when things won’t go so well)

§  Nothing replaces the place of God

§  When planning, plan with the future in mind

§  Start planning your handover. Ask yourself, what will happen if I’m no longer here to handle this?

This week, I challenge you to:

Sit and think about something, a talent or skill that you have in you and then write it down. It doesn’t have to be organised or structured, just write it as it comes to your head. You can drop them in the comment box, who knows, someone might have something to say about it.

Keep your fingers crossed till next Tuesday hunnies, when we will again sit and learn from another exemplary woman of worth.