by Josefa Massinga

We are living in difficult and new times, where overnight our lives and activities have changed. It is time for each one of us to think about developing some new activities and acquiring new good business opportunities.

Below are some tips on how to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and win good opportunities with your business.

1. Always know where you want to go

One of the big mistakes made by those who want to start up in business is that they do not have a defined objective. What is your main objective? If you want to be a reference point in the clothing sales area, for example, you can start with studies of ideal materials, where to find the best sales channels, initiate contacts with the public, and improve your products. This will help you to keep in mind where you want to go and then how to set small goals that will move you closer to achieving your goals.

2. Be persistent

Keep in mind that there is a viable solution to your problem: just find it! In the business world, the professional depends on several external variables. In some moments, unforeseen events occur that can provide reasons for discouragement, but what differentiates and highlights the great entrepreneurs is their persistence.

3. Don't be afraid to take risks

Knowing how to start a business is already the first step, but it is also a big risk. From there, look for ways to stand out from the competition and offer something that carries your performance as a differentiator. It is okay to take risks and learn from this endeavour! Even mistakes are excellent opportunities for sustainable and healthy growth.

4. Do more than expected

Sticking to the basics can yield some growth for the business, but to embrace growth it is necessary to have something that actually engages customers and allows for expansion in the market (niche market) a solution that fills the main gaps that these consumers notice in other products and services they need.

5. Seek knowledge incessantly

As we've seen, the entrepreneurial mindset requires courage and dedication on the part of the entrepreneur — these are the real keys to success. Trends change, as do challenges in your field. So, nothing is better than studying hard to anticipate these issues and, when they arrive at your business, make the right decisions in favour of growth. Finally, know that every journey, in business or in life, requires a good deal of knowledge. So keep learning.

Josefa Amélia Massinga is the founder of Florista Flor Khyathu in Maputo, Mozambique. Her business, which opened in 2015, was inspired by the memory of her young niece Khyathu Massinga, who lost her life two years earlier. This store was Josefa Massinga's first enterprise, bringing her passion for flowers to a suburban area. As the only flower shop in this area at the time, she has since built up a loyal following of customers and brand recognition. She has since opened another branch called Khyathu Assessoria where in addition to flowers, customers can also access a range of other services such as floral decorations for vehicles, churches and events for special celebrations.