To be in a position on this journey where you can initiate and develop a side hustle, what I call a commercial hobby or perhaps a side passion with the idea to eventually acquire it into a fully-fledged business whilst working a 9-5 job is commendable. Many of us know the extreme strains that professional women within the workplace endure and all its complexities. Whilst it’s a must for your up and coming female trailblazers to pursue their ultimate dreams and in creating wealth, to fathom the undertaking of a side hustle comes with its own anxieties and expectations. The commitment, the conviction, the sacrifice and the tenacity it requires amongst other disciplines is no walk in the park.
This is where I would like to bring in the role of mentorship, its advantage and worth, the people that become fundamental in contributing insights and gifting wisdom in shaping the career of a professional into this dynamic trailblazer of a woman. These are the people known to be the rallying crowd, rallying around you, committed to assist, guide and see you flourish, as you venture out into starting your business. Let’s call it the kitchen cabinet. An element and relationship which becomes imperative on this journey.
You would be diminishing yourself by not investing in a kitchen cabinet of counsellors, whether it’s made up of one person or a group of people, it’s a must. Knowing it is not about the quantity but the quality of the calibre of people. Individuals who would offer character building, inspiration, encouragement in trying moments, tough love when it is needed, stimulation for your professional and personal growth to ensure you evolve into being all you can be. It’s been asserted, again and again, that pursuing a business can come with its exertions, moments where your emotional and mental aptitude would even be tested. That sense of confidence and morale being affirmed as you journey moment by moment and season by season proving to be critical.
We can truly appreciate, that even the Worlds’ greatest groundbreakers that we admire and influential icons that we celebrate and respect, too, have support structures, who would you be not too. So, when we talk about having a kitchen cabinet it becomes most paramount. Welcoming the dynamic, they would bring in your world, adding towards your progress and shaping your character to take on the task of starting your own hustle and seeing it through.
The truth is, these powerhouses, the accomplished and well-known are battling to take on a pool of mentees in mentoring the young nascent trailblazers the conventional way. Let’s take Oprah for example, can you imagine the mentorship requests she receives on a daily basis. I don’t think we could possibly comprehend it. Bringing it even closer to home, can you imagine the likes of your Carol Bouwer, Dr Precious Motsepe, Dolly Mokgatle, Judy Dlamini and Basestana Kumalo to name but a few and how extremely overwhelming these appeals can get.
So, how best do you choose your people. Start by looking from within, what already exists in your world, under your nose within your network of intelligence. What is immediately and easily accessible from a mentorship perspective. I am a big believer that your kitchen cabinet must start within your family and friends, be able to identity significant members with experience in business, merit in wealth of wisdom, power in encouragement. Often we look outwardly discounting the greatness we have within our personal range. Personally for me, most of my kitchen cabinet is made up mainly from those I genuinely have a personal relationship with, influential to me. Whilst I also recognize my life coach and a spiritual therapist that help me develop and mature on matters and moments, challenging and providing perspective pertaining to my pursuits. You have to positively take advantage and maximise on the people placed in your path.
It is said it takes years to build trust and seconds to destroy it, so it becomes important to be one with your words and to honour your people. Earning your keep, being loyal and respecting your people in action.
It is your duty to find your crowd, energy never lies, so be aware of the energies you are surrounding yourself with, where like expresses like, spirit gravitates towards spirit. Magic recognizes magic, anything less than that, no matter how accomplished or popular one may be, don’t pursue them.Don’t make the mistake of bringing someone into your rallying crowd, to be part of your kitchen cabinet that is not worthy to be there.
Embrace and honour the souls that jump at your everyday small progress, value the guidance and wisdom of the genuine crowd that is committedto your rise, your cheerleaders. Your crowd that is here for your win, as you take on this remarkable journey of starting your own side hustle. May you thrive in greatness and power, knowing it won’t be easy but it will be worthwhile as you walk with your people.
By: Thobile Tops Mkhwanazi
Sisterhood Connect