Bookself Mojatu.com Mojatu Nottingham Magazine Issue M026 | Page 26

26 Business & Finance THE POWER OF SELF-MOTIVATION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP Meet Modou, a young entrepreneur whose motivation allowed him to become a self-made business man I was raised in a middle-class family brought up by a single mother with a bare minimum income. With insufficient funds To execute this, I began by the kind my of business I to researching support University fees, I wanted to venture into. I knew I continued to that nurture my passion wanted a business would not only make money, but have an for impact education however, and began on young lives. The Gambia in the tropical region of as the surest to see is this pathway Africa where warm weather is way to improve my life chances. stable so figured an ice cream business completing would profit well. I would After high school, I also be able to include other got a vocational training place in ?, products in my menu like cakes and waffles. obtaining a distinction. It was this So far, I have experienced a lot of the way into experience that paved challenges in the world of running international community college small businesses. in the UK. Here I studied Human Resource Management. During my studies, I scored the highest distinction and got accepted to study at two UK universities; The University of Sunderland and University South Wales. Today I continue to derive my strength from the power of social change for human development in The Gambia and beyond. Growing up in a society that does little to nurture talents poses a big challenge to a highly entrepreneurial mind—but I continued my belief in development and growth of a business in the Gambia. To execute this, I began by researching the kind of business I wanted to venture into. I knew I wanted a business that would not only make money, but have an impact on young lives. The Gambia is in the tropical region of Africa where warm weather is stable so figured an ice cream business would profit well. I would also be able to include other products in my menu like cakes and waffles. So far, I have experienced a lot of challenges in the world of running small businesses. Problems include finding markets with established retail stores, sustaining the appetite of customers, being constantly innovative to maintain activity in the competitive market and to reconcile community demands and ethics with the needs of the business. Luckily, I have been able to manifest resilience, partly due to my strength faith in my journey but also the contributions of my mentors who surround me with valuable support and guidance. During my experience of starting up a small business I was quick to discern the importance of selfdiscipline, constant market research, self-reliance, social interaction with the community. It was in these interactions that I was particularly impressed by the young people who frequented the ining Rafiki partnership farm project ice cream parlour to discuss their life dreams. I have been fortunate to learn from my interactions with that group. Likewise they have been able to benefit from my highspirits and determination and courage to venture into a an uncommon career trajectory for Gambian youths. My dream is to be the biggest ice cream parlour and wholesale supplier in The Gambia and franchise my business in neighbouring countries like Senegal and Guinea Bissau. Africa has an immense entrepreneurial talent that the continent is yet to fully harness and develop. I feel privileged and excited to be one of the forerunners of Gambian youths in the small business management landscape and can’t wait to see what the future holds for young Gambian people. African youths should see entrepreneurship as a way of building the economies of generations to come. ‘Start small, dream big and achieve’ is my mantra. Special thanks to my Mother, Aja Mariama Ceesay for her unwavering love all these years, Valentine Nkoyo, Director of Mojatu Foundation UK, Haddy Ousman Njie (mentor) for her guidance akways. We have done initial researches and found for an investment of £3,000 and with Target level 1: £3,000 that average harvest, there will be a prospect of £12,800 gross income. The net profit of similar investments have found to be about 40%, hence about Membership targets been £5,120. RAFIKI FARM Assuming this is achieved, the returns on This is our initial membership drive with an salaries aim for of investment, excluding free crop, working in the project and and other recruiting a minimum those of 10 members a benefits accrued, will be about 40% of the maximum of 20 members. investment. However, this is subject to the overall partnership performance. intend to pay returns for shares held in If we do not meet this We target, you will still be the partnership at a rate to be agreed by the members provided the profits of the offered membership. business can afford it and it’s agreed by the members. High Quality White Maize for sale later this year Use of funds raised You can choose not to become a member. Payments will be suspended if the financial to invest performance of the farm cannot support them. You can choose to receive return on your investment, paid every year, if affordable or you can forego this right to claim the annual interest in which case the farm’s finances will benefit further. Voting rights All members have equal voting rights as they all h equal number of shares Nature of the investment Charles 077 2215 6097 | Email. [email protected] members are expected to contribute equal The investment should be considered as an opportun