Reflections For Greater Growth In 2023

We?are?at?the?end?of?2022;?it?is?time?to?look?back?as?we?prepare?to?stride?into?2023.??

As we review our year to assess our actions and evaluate the progress we made, it is vital to know what worked, what was a struggle, and what failed. Additionally, take time to understand what we learned about ourselves and our businesses, who were our allies, and how much did we grow, make, and change??

2022 has been a great year of growth at Ongoza. We have completed multiple cycles of Youth Entrepreneurship Training and Mentorship Support Initiative in Coast Kenya and the inaugural cohort of the Africa Women Climate Entrepreneurs program in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation . We have supported business owners with customised interventions and connections that have helped them grow their operations and increase their income.

A principle lesson has been about the power of intentionality and the choice to learn and apply the learning effectively for sustained success. It is easy for both entrepreneurs and entrepreneur enablers to go through the motions of class, facilitation and engagement and not gain the potential of the situation.

As we wind down the year, we share a few highlights that we believe will be critical to sustained business growth in the coming year.

1. Focus: Do not take any opportunity lightly but lay weight on every conversation, interaction, class session, mentorship session, pitch, market linkage, and shilling made. Every time a door opens, it creates a chance to grow, deepen or enlarge our knowledge, impact and closeness to our established vision.
2. Do the work: When you learn something new, meet someone new or start down a new path, take time to apply the lessons, research, and keep conversations alive. Do what needs doing and choose to grow. No matter how much work we need to succeed, chunk it down, do what needs doing and get help if you must, and keep going no matter what.
3. Be patient: Good things take time; there are no shortcuts. Build your foundation right so that when it is time to scale your enterprise, it is stable, well-supported and grounded. Keep walking, track your progress, and allow yourself enough space to grow steadily.?
4. Seek mentorship: No man is an island; we must deliberately seek social support. Be accountable to people ahead of you and willing to walk with you. Ask them as many questions as needed and apply all the lessons you learn.
5. Engage: Be active in all your engagements, take the training seriously, ask questions, share ideas, find and connect with a mentor or coach, and accept feedback and insights shared.
6. Never give up: No matter how hard things are, never give up. You can change direction but choose to press on. When the journey feels hard, look back and find another entrepreneur a few steps behind you and help them rise, to remind yourself how much you can do, then move forward.

The future belongs to the prepared, be sure to plan for the coming year. If you a business owner looking for community and entrepreneurial support to grow and scale your business in 2023? Get in touch with us.

From the Ongoza Community , we wish you and your families, a happy and joyful holiday.