by Catia Mondlane, founder of Isabella Estetica & Cosmeticos
Fortunately, today we have many people who talk about business and how a business plan can make your abstract ideas become a reality. There is also a range of business plan samples that are available online for free, meaning, anyone can sit down and write a business plan. Before I started my natural cosmetic company, Isabella Estetica & Cosmeticos, I tried many businesses but couldn’t get them off the ground - not because they were bad, but I was creating blockages as soon as I started to write a business plan. Let me say that I have got nothing against business plans as such, and I’m not saying that people shouldn’t plan because planning is very important when one wants to take proper steps towards achieving goals and having a successful business.
A business plan can be written most correctly, with all the necessary details, and recognized as a great and brilliant idea - but that isn’t an action! The last time I wrote a business plan, I had so many details, especially when it came to the financial plan - and I answered all the questions, even consulting specialists on the subject of Economics and Business, but that was exactly what kept me stuck. It took me a while to realize that the amount of energy I was putting into preparing this paper exercise drained me to the point that when it came to taking actions I became blocked. I was so focused on getting things perfect on paper instead of taking actions in practice. Besides, I was afraid of taking those actions that would turn my ideas into reality because the business plan gave me more reasons to quit rather than encourage me to persevere. The more I focused on the business plan, the more uncertainties arose and the more blockages I created that would keep me stuck. As a result, I would be left with the most brilliant idea - just on paper.
So, I decided to change and told myself that I wanted things to be different this time. As soon as I had these ideas, I thought about how I wanted things to be done which just took me to creating a piece of paper listing goals in bullet point format, taking actions and letting things flow as I go.
A business plan guides you to think, come up with ideas, answer questions, and make good predictions. But, being in the field is worthier because you get better answers on how you should run the business when you go through practical experiences, not simply by writing about the things you haven’t experienced yet. Today, I finally have a business running and since I’m out in the field, learning about the business game at first hand, I can write a simple, precise and clear business plan without creating so many blockages for myself and others who would come across it.
#beinspired #inspiredaction #motivation #dreamtoreality #focus #proudlymozambican #proudlyafrican
Catia Mondlane
Cátia Mondlane is the CEO & Founder of Isabella – Estética & Cosméticos, an innovative Mozambican cosmetic company that brings natural skin solutions based on locally sourced organic and fresh ingredients. Her brand is especially for people with sensitive skin and who want to be kind to their skin at affordable prices. She is currently based in Maputo, Mozambique.
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