Have you got the formula for success?

One of the best pieces of advice I received this week was the reminder that business is a formula that can be applied by anyone with the passion and determination to use their individual skills to succeed. One of these is the bespoke Fetola Growth Method which is the formula that we have created and refined over thousands of successful businesses, across every sector and in all corners of the country. And it goes like this: 

1. Mindset: Start with a clear and inspiring personal vision that’s linked to your own journey and your own experience and then activate it through your business mission
2. Market: Identify a niche market that you can own.  Refine your sales methods to attract and retain your customers 
3. Model: Create an operating model that delivers reliability, quality and value for money 
4. Money: Refine your revenue model, optimise profitability, manage cash flow and build a track record of your money so you can attract support for your future growth. 

But perhaps the most important and often hidden step is Mentorship because the fact is that no one builds a business alone. We all have different strengths and weaknesses and everyone needs supporters, partners and mentors to help them succeed. 

This is the very reason why business accelerators, peer groups and support structures exist and is why the most successful entrepreneurs are those who have called on mentors, fostered partnerships and gathered the very best people around them as they have built their businesses.

So this week let’s pause a minute to consider which of the 5 steps we have mastered, and where are we in need of improving? And then find ways to reach out to a mentor, an accelerator or a partner in order to break through and build success. And if you are keen, maybe consider joining the waitlist for Fetola’s future solutions and opportunities. It’s really easy, just click here. 

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

#FearlessLeaders #BusinessGrowth #FetolaGrowthMethod

LAST WEEK'S FEEDBACK on "Beware of passion projects" ...

Each week I receive heartwarming emails in response to my weekly greeting. Your words also serve to inspire others along their journey of transformation. If this helped you too, I'd love to hear - simply reply to this email. As always, let me know if you'd prefer to remain anonymous. Here is a snapshot:

- "I am so glad that I am in your circle, it is indeed a privilege. Even in trying times I have got hope through people and organisations like yours. As a point of reference, you inspire us more than you can imagine." - Joseph M

- "This I absolutely resonate with. As I continue to work towards developing a change in the narrative of menstrual hygiene and health, one thing that stands out is how I have learnt to be more open minded. We are still struggling to get the banana fibre menstrual pad into a complete final product and a year ago I would've told you that you are crazy if you had advised that I check myself. Today we are on a brink of introducing a modular reusable menstrual pad. So, I completely relate to one having to build the character (holistically exhibiting the 4 reminders) of course, to ballsy enough to realize when you've bitten more than you can chew. The banana fibre pad is coming, no doubt about that, but only when the vibes allow." - Akhona

- "Wow that’s powerful 🙏 I failed in a lot of projects because of excitement, I didn’t look into the risks associated with the projects. I started realising that I need to find balance and have limits after reading this article ✍️" - Martin

- "Balancing passion and wisdom is truly an art in business. Keep calm and focused!" - Nic

- "Good afternoon Catherine, Hearing your journey of how you started a passion project and how it ended up doing made me realise the importance of self awareness and the importance of the ''why''. I've been playing around with an idea of a passion project myself and this is the sign I needed to allow myself to give it more thought and calculate everything properly. Thank you for this, have a very fabulous and blessed week ahead! Let There Be Light," - Makatu

Thank you for reading my #weeklygreeting. Each Monday I write a blog with inspiration and tips for business and life. To join my network please 'Follow' me, or hop on and take a look at my past articles here.

About Catherine Wijnberg

Catherine Wijnberg is a powerful advocate for change, for entrepreneurs, for Africa and the planet.

She is the Director and Founder of Fetola, a leading provider of world-class entrepreneurial support programmes for African entrepreneurs, building businesses that last through scalable solutions that deliver social, environmental and economic impact.