So you want to start a business with your girlfriends? You believe that with all of you together you can truly change the game? Well, that sounds great but have you asked yourself important questions like, "Do our long-term vision for this business align?" or "Are we both willing to make sacrifices in order to be as effective as we say we'll be?" I absolutely love Iyanla Vanzant: Fix My Life. It has been one of my favorite shows because of her unapologetic bold demeanor to help set things straight in the lives of others. I can recall back to the episode where there were a group of women known as the 'Six Brown Chicks' who had started a business together.
Iyanla comes to the rescue the group from further turmoil and help restructure what they had once built. But, what gets me every time was how they even got to the point of destruction. Could it be that they didn't ask the right questions? I believe when you have a common goal with someone, like your girlfriend(s), that is attached to your purpose it's important to get everything in order before moving forward. It's not about being cute and stating the fact that you have a business or about having 'CEO BOSS LADY' in your Instagram bio. No! It's deeper! When you jointly make the decision to partner and start whatever project you have your heart set on, you are making a commitment where it's not about you anymore. Check out my 3 Major Keys to Women Partnership below:
Major Key #1: It's Not About You
As our non-profit developed, my business partner who happens to be my best friend, Zakiyrah and I had a lot of growing to do. I know I definitely did in this area. I constantly took things personal, ugh. I mean, just looking back on where I was at that time in my life hurts my stomach! But I'm so thankful for growth. With our non-profit, where we work with young ladies and women with absent fathers, it took time to say 'aha! I finally got it. This really isn't about me!' What did it was when I realized that the commitment I made was selfless and if this was what God had called me to do, I need to get with it. Sis, thats is one thing we should never forget. We are not blessed just to be blessed but to be a blessing. Whatever God has placed on your heart to do, do it unto him and realize that it was never about you.
Major Key #2: It's Bigger Than You
It was bigger than the both of us! We had to both realize that in order to make an effective change in our community, soon to be the world, we had to make the necessary sacrifices of our time, money, everything! When you choose to walk in your purpose and take ahold of your vision, you then realize it is so much bigger than you and your partner(s). God wants to do something MAJOR in your life in order for you to help do something even more MAJOR in the lives of others. I mean, He's a major God. He has to equip you to equip others because it will always be bigger than you. And never limit the potential, let it go as high and as wide as God has designed it to.
Major Key #3: Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing
Stay focused! Stick to the course! Maintain the momentum! Don't get distracted or become deterred from what you and your partner(s) have committed to. I always say that no one will believe in your vision unless you do, but most importantly, if you don't remain consistent and committed to it — whatever your purpose is — don't keep it that way. It's okay to grow and have extensions from the heart of it but don't lose sight of what you set out to accomplish.
Go run the word girls,
Megs
