On grit
Most startups die when the founders either run out of cash or motivation. In truth, it boils down to motivation because if they believe that they can still change the world, most will continue to beg and borrow. But when they are tired, then it is truly over.
It's hard to decide when to stop fighting. We know the majority of startups will fail yet there are so many known stories of companies that were at death’s door and hammered. Tesla is a great example with Elon Musk living off debt from friends and family in 2009.
One great example of grit is @BossyBeautyInc, a startup I have observed very closely! Started in 2019 as a female empowerment platform masquerading as a beauty company, it was led by one fine girl like this @TheAishetu, a banker who found religion late in her career.
Bossy launched on International Women’s day with lipstick, which is seen as a defensive product; in good times, people wear it to do efizi. In bad times, it's an affordable luxury that increases self-esteem; There is even a lipstick index by @LeonardLauder to describe this.
Anyone in beauty will tell you though that cosmetics is one of the most competitive sectors. There is an infinite number of brands and Rihanna or Kylie Kardashian will just drown out your marketing. But Aisha was born for this and had something new to offer. In she went!
When your only product is lipstick and covid hits, you can be forgiven for thinking your business is over. Nobody is going out, and if they do they its wearing masks.
Beyond low sales Bossy, faced a myriad of issues, regarding supply, branding, people. Anyone put am!
In a crisis, self-doubt becomes your best friend, and sleep is something you used to remember doing. There have been tears and anguish, all while being a solo founder.
What to do when faced with an existential crisis; you either give up or you build for the future.
The reasonable woman adapts herself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to herself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable woman - George Bernard Shaw.
Founders are crazy and believe they can create where others have failed.
This is not a Nollywood film so let me fast forward abi. Excited to see the results of resilience as Bossy today she features on #OprahsFavoriteThings 2021.
The tale will be sweeter when she knacks it in a storybook or even better feem (@netflix holla, I can hook it up).
My learnings from this period are that Grit is:
accepting the current reality whilst remaining optimistic about the future.
putting one foot in front of the other daily.
focusing only on today; tomorrow will take care of itself.
believing that you can create magic.
The story of @BossyBeautyInc is not yet done; in many ways, it has just begun. I could wax lyrical about the resilience displayed but it's better coming from Aisha. If you want to learn more look no further than her episode on @HowIBuiltThis
p.s. But brothers and sisters, Bossy products make for good presents o so don’t delay; go and shop for Xmas, birthday, anniversary, owambe (i think you get it now) biko so we can keep sending our kids to school 😘😘.
Bossy Cosmetics' 4-lipstick luxe gift set is Oprah's Favorite Thing!
Congrats @TheAishetu