Every week, I receive messages from aspirant women entrepreneurs across the African continent who are looking for advice on how and when to start a business and make the move from a ‘safe’ corporate career. My advice is often the same - there is no perfect time to start a business, often it’s a case of making the first brave move and just doing it. However, I am very conscious of the need to manage risk, as here in Africa many women are the main breadwinners in their families, and giving up a stable corporate career with a regular salary for the uncertainty of entrepreneurship is simply not an option. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start a business anyway. Many women entrepreneurs around the world dip a toe into the business building world with a side-gig, working in corporate by day and starting a business in spare time, during evenings and weekends. It’s hard work but possible, and if you want it badly enough, you make it work. After all, life’s just too short to wait for the right time!
Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! — Melanie