From Precious | April 10, 2008
Bola Olabisi | General
Global Women Innovators and Inventors Network
www.gwiin.com
Precious: What does your business do?
The promotion and capacity building of women with unique products, concepts, processes and services.
Precious: When did you come up with your business idea?
In 1997 after discovering that there was a gap in the market.
Precious: What did you do before you launched your business?
I have a legal background, LLB (Hons) LLM, and worked for a solicitors firm for a short time, however most of my work experience as been about personal and community development. I transferred the skills and knowledge I had into building GWIIN.
Precious: Tell us about the business planning stage.
I did not write a business plan as I had no idea how long it would take me, where it would lead me or how feasible GWIIN really was – I simply had a passion, lots of dedication and a vision that I would work hard to make sure it succeeds. With an initial investment of £500, lots of support from family, friends and volunteers I was on my way. In hindsight, I should have had a business plan but at the time, I had no idea where to get that sort of support and if in fact I needed it.
Precious: What setbacks did you encounter?
Lots – for starters, many doors where support should have come from were shut in my face. Many friends supported me but had no real belief in my vision and secretly wished I would get a regular job, especially during the times when there was no money coming in and lots of work was being done. It has been a hard long slog but worth every bit of it. The knowledge, experience, partners, business associates and wealth of expertise I have picked up is invaluable.
Precious: Describe a typical working day.
Up by 6.30am – watch and advice my children before they go off to school and college.
8.00am Cook something for the family for when they get back
9.00am off to work
9.30am arrive in the office
10.00am Briefing with my PA
10.30am Work begins – e-mail responses, meetings etc…
5.00pm Say Bye to PA and carry on with whatever else needs doing
7.00pm – Time to go home
7.30pm –forgetting work and back home with my family.
Precious: What do you love most about what you do?
I’m my own boss – I set the pace and can make my own money in an ethical and passionate way.
Precious: Is there anything that you dislike?
Perhaps the amount of times I travel in a month and being away from my family otherwise I love what I do.
Precious: Are your family supportive of you?
Yes!
Precious: What methods do you use to promote your business?
The website, Leaflets, brochures, the TV and radio.
Precious: Do you feel that there is enough government support for start-up and growing businesses?
There is support and it has grown over the years but it certainly is nowhere near enough.
Precious: Where do you see your business in five years time?
Stronger foundation, more universally known and financially stable.
Precious: Away from your business what are your passions?
Spending quality time with my children and husband, reading magazines, going to the theatre and watching romantic / comedy films.
Precious: What's your advice to potential female entrepreneurs?
Take the steps I have taken only if you think it will be good for you. There is so much to learn out there and the world is changing all the time so be flexible enough to change when necessary. Believe you can fly and the sky is the limit. I wish everyone who takes the time to read this, joy, prosperity, a healthy and long life.