the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs
by Tapiwa Matsinde
Busyness and working hard are often aligned with an assumption of making progress. That, however, isn’t always the case. In fact, they could be doing just the opposite by lulling you into a false sense of productivity and distracting you from nurturing the specific tasks that are moving your business forward.
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Learning and refining your craft skills has taken a lot of your time and energy, and those of the artisans you work with. You are starting to see the results of your dedication and commitment and are now ready to take your business and work to the next level by positioning and presenting it in a way that reflects its high-quality craftsmanship and sophistication. Whether you are keeping your focus within your local markets or seeking to appeal to a global audience, excellence in craftsmanship, creativity and presentation are essential for successfully positioning your business as a world-class brand. To help you transform your hand-crafted artisan business into an impactful world-class brand here are key areas to pay attention to:
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There is a saying that everyone has got a book in them. Publishing a book is a great way to share your knowledge, skills, and experience with your world. However, knowing what to do and where to turn to for help can make it a daunting task. As with any project you embark on planning and preparation will make the publishing process a whole lot smoother. So, if you want to publish a book but are not sure of where and how to start here are some of the key things you will need to consider…
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Do you find yourself constantly generating ideas that you find too irresistible to ignore? And as a result, you become distracted with all these ideas begging to be brought to life. Welcome to the life of the multi-passionate (also referred to as multi-hyphenate).
Read moreTapiwa Matsinde, Founder, Atelier 55, UK
Tapiwa Matsinde, Founder, Atelier 55, UK
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Turning your hobby into a business is a highly rewarding experience. Not only can it mean making a living doing what you love, but also learning more about yourself and just what you are capable of. Turning your hobby into a business is a big step, one that requires a shift in mindset from creating for pleasure as and when you feel like it to creating for-profit and having to put routines and goals in place.
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There is a lot of advice coming at us right now. As entrepreneurs having to adapt in this time of crisis, we are being asked to read this, watch that, do this or buy that. And taking in all the information can at times be overwhelming. Understandably in this time of uncertainty, you want to shore up your business for what comes next but as you read, watch or listen are you considering what all this information means for you and your business’ future.
Read moreby Tapiwa Matsinde, founder of atelier 55
In times of crisis, we seek to connect to those who have been through or are going through what we are facing. Their stories are comforting, helping us to see that we are not alone, and give us a thread of hope that we too will make it through. And that is why sharing your story matters now more than ever because there is someone out there who is waiting to hear it and form that connection with you.
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Social-distancing, self-isolation, and lockdowns have forced us to change the way we live and work. One of the biggest adjustments brought about by the pandemic is the overnight shift from going into the office to working from home. And the sudden change means not everyone is prepared, not to mention parents who are also having to work around home-schooling and keeping their kids entertained.
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The pandemic has forced us to rethink the business plans we set out for the year ahead. While we cannot control what is happening we can control how we choose to react and for designers and creatives that includes adapting the way we work. Conversations with designers in my network have revealed the ways in which they are pivoting and I share theirs and my suggestions with you.
Read moreArtisanal craft has often been seen as the lowly cousin to more high profile creative disciplines such as design, sculpture and art, with the artisans themselves tending to be consigned to the background. This perception is now changing as the artisan sector undergoes a global resurgence. The high profile support of initiatives such as the recently launched #ChooseArtisan campaign are helping to keep the momentum going.
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An emerging industry, design from Africa, is drawing increased global attention, and with it the success stories of women across the continent taking leading roles in the industry's development; from women-run cooperatives bringing together several hundred women, to university graduates taking their futures into their own hands by creating jobs for themselves and others.
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