HAPPY YOUTH DAY!!

June is Youth Month as you know and as young woman in Business I was wondering what I can do or give the Youth of Mzansi to celebrate our month.

I have been managing and running my own business for 3 years now. CharmingROSE was a dream I had since I was 16 years. It took a long time for this dream to become a reality and part of that reason was that I was focusing my energies working for someone and building their Empire. It got to a point where I was frustrated with myself and I decided to resign and leave my Employer and pursue being my own Boss.

I want to share with the Youth of Mzansi what I have learnt in these 3 years and prior to the inception of CharmingROSE that you can apply in your life whether you work for someone or you are self employed.

1. Know yourself. Between the age of 18 -25 I was living my life with my family being the core of what I wanted to achieve. They were the reason I was doing this or that. My parents approval meant everything to me. At times I sought my own way but most of the times if they did not approve it tore me apart. Only in my late 20s I realised a little too late that I don’t need anyone’s approval to live my life and reach for the dreams that I wanted. You have to define who you are, what you want and when you want to achieve it in your words/manner.

Time spent trying to seek approval or trying to please others so you can feel good about yourself is time WASTED and you cannot get back. You will learn the hard way that you are “damned if you and you are damned if you don’t” so you might as well go ahead and reach for the stars.

Be aware what your values are. Our parents raise us the best way they can. As you get older, don’t lose those values. If you don’t define those values for yourself , someone else will. You don’t want to find yourself in that space.

2. Learn to communicate EFFECTIVELY. Being assertive is a good characteristic to possess. Nobody wants to employ a passive person who sweeps everything under the carpet. You have a voice as well as opinion. SPEAK up. It is how you share an opinion or view that shows people that you are not just a number in the Company. People appreciate honesty.

3. PREPARATION!! I cannot stress how important it is to invest time in your future by preparing your resume/portfolio. I don’t believe in luck. Being prepared for your dream job or that once chance that will make your dreams come true should not be left to luck. Acquire as much information as you can about your dream and invest all the time you can too be the best. Always be prepared to meet anyone. You will be so surprised who you can meet and what opportunities lie ahead for you.

4. LOWER your EXPECTATIONS of everyone and what they are meant to look like or what they are meant to do. Rather exceed everyone’s expectations of you. Look good. Whether you like it or not people judge on how you are dressed. It sucks but unfortunately it is what it is. If your English or speech is bad. Consult a speech therapist and invest in speaking and articulation. It will help boost your confidence that way you are not shy to approach people whether you are seeking Bursary or Employment. Working on your image is not something that happens over night and so is improving your skills. It is about having enough knowledge about what you do, who else around you does the same thing? Be the best at what you do and you can only arrive at this by living , breathing what this passion means to you.

5. NETWORK.  I have acquired 90% of my connections as well as clients through networking. I attended the National Teaching Awards for 2013 and out of that event I got myself a client who is an Award winning Musician and noteworthy Philanthropist.I participated in the Avon Walkathon for 2012. Funny enough on that day I was so lazy to get out of bed but going there was a wise move. I met a rising Star who was also a contestant on the big MNet Reality show South African Idols. Out of that encounter rose 2 opportunities to be her Stylist for 2 important occasions in her career. Networking is like the life line one needs to sustain/build their dream. I hate going out and if I could be in doors all year I would be, but guess what? I had to get out of that comfort zones FAST! If you hate talking to people or being on stage selling yourself. Find a way to get out of that comfort zone/ fear.