People engage in so many things for fun, profit,passion and a lot other good reasons. Sometimes, their passion for something turns out to create revenue for them. They can even learn new skills and hone it well.
As long as you don't engage in dubious means to make money, be proud of what you do.
I don't get it now when people get ashamed of what they do, they don't even inform their neighbors or friends about what they engage in with the excuse of "People will laugh at me". Who are those people that will laugh?
Its really encouraging when you see your colleagues and friends pose with their products, advertise their products to the world and you are ashamed of doing the same. Those people you feel will laugh at you, who told you they care or they won't be willing to buy or patronize the goods or services you offer.
In 2013, after my Jamb failure i resolved to myself that sulking at home won't work so i had to learn a skill. I learned how to make Ankara bags and Suede bags too. My bags were good because i was creative enough to make new designs. But you know what lacked in my business? I was shy, extremely shy to post my work online or even tell people what i do. I hardly even informed my friends that i produce handbags for sale. I had fears like, what would they say? ohh, they will laugh hard at me, what if they don't like it and so many other negative thoughts.
My sales were bad, i remember vividly when i got admission, i went home on vacation, borrowed some money, produced bags and carried them to church for sale. It was a Jerusalem day(Catholics will understand better), and it was announced that you could advertise what you do on that day. After battling with if i will make sales, i summoned up courage to go with positive thoughts. I stood from morning till evening with my bags on display and so single sale.
People would just come to say "Ha! Sister you try o, e fine o, weldone o" Shey na welldone i won chop?. It was late in the evening, i resolved to pack and go home when a young lady came to my stand, picked up a red purse and said "Don't you have a blue color?". I was already pissed off with the wasted efforts and managed to say, "I don't have, its only the red color" i said. "Ok, please can you produce a blue colour? i will deposit some money if you can" she said and dropped the red purse on my table. My face lit up at the mention of money, "No problem ma".
Even though, i carried my load of bags for sale home, i was a bit glad that at least i made a sale that day. I made that sale because i left my comfort zone, i went out to show people. I can't make that sale in my room, its not possible. Now, you don't even have to just go out, you can post online. That easy! and you are still shy or ashamed, then you are obviously not hungry.
So, how can you thrive in a business without advertising your own self and what you do even in the midst of other competitors. You cant succeed if you are ashamed to show or tell the world what you do for a living. Let them know. Introduce yourself and attach what you do, For example when you meet a new person and you exchange names, begin with this, "My name is Doris, I am a caterer, tailor, hairstylist or makeup artist or bead maker or cobbler or anything you do" . You have no idea if they need your services at that moment.
If you are still ashamed and hiding what you do, as long as it is legal. Please come out of your shell and tell the world! The world is waiting for you!
Happy Weekend!
Xtianadora
