After the idea, then the research

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, His wondrous works in the deep (Psalm 107:23-24)

I have decided to use the scripture above because it encapsulates what has been happening in my life since I decided to follow the Lord’s leading and go into business.

After I got the idea to go into business, I went about to research what business entails. I read ‘Run your own business’ by Kevin Duncan. This is a step-by-step little book on how to go about establishing your own business. I followed the practical tips contained in the book including information about how to set up a spreadsheet of current and prospective clients. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to teach themselves how to run a business.

I have found that when God gives you an assignment, He provides the resources (people, ideas, money etc.) to help you to fulfil it. Within about two weeks of me getting the idea about running my business, I was on the bus going home one evening after work and I was speaking to a very friendly polished looking young man about his day. It transpired that he had a very tough upbringing and grew up with insecurity and fear. I commented that you would not think he had gone through such an ordeal and still have his positive attitude.

He informed me that a few years ago a family friend recommended him to a holistic practice which is run by unconventional doctors. He explained that the doctors address the psychological and spiritual aspects of their clients and not just focus on the symptoms of the problem which is what we often see on the outside. He told me that his life has changed dramatically from the person he once was, and he is a new man.

I then told him about my idea, that I am setting up a spiritual coaching business that will first and foremost look at the inner state of my clients and help them to discover who they really are and what they had been created to do by connecting their spirits back to God their Creator. This man was really encouraging and told me that with the way things are going in the world with all the negativity that is around, this business will definitely be needed in the years ahead. I also asked the man how I can go about finding clients and he suggested I start a blog, hence this blog.

As soon as I heard this, my spirit perked up and after the man left the bus, an idea came to me straightaway, to write a book on ‘How to Discover Your Life’s Purpose Through Dreams’. I immediately got my iPad out and the result is my first book which will be launched in June. This conversation took place in February and by March the first draft of the book was ready, that is how fired up I am.

After this, I also set up my profile on Linkedin and sent a few messages to people about my idea. I received positive responses straightaway and met with people the following week who were so interested in the idea. Most people have heard of Life Coaching, but Spiritual Life Coaching is not something that you hear about everyday. Therefore from the little research I have done with people, I know the need is certainly out there.

So my advise is, whatever business idea God gives you, do your research, and the best research I know and have been using, is talking to people, because they are the ones we are here to serve. Sign up on my website to receive your free copy of my first book: www.blessingcoaching.com

With love,

Blessing

It all begins with an idea!

I am in the process of setting up my own business as a Spiritual Life Coach and so I thought it might benefit some readers who are planning on setting up their business to share my story of how I began.

Firstly it all begins with in idea. In 2013 I read ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill and I also listened to preaching by men and women of God (Bill Winston, David Oyedepo, Mike Murdock, Cindy Trimm among others) who spoke at the International Gathering of Champion Conference which is organised by Matthew Ashimolowo here in London. I read books such as ‘The Spirit of Leadership’ by the late Myles Munroe, ‘The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth’ by John Maxwell and listened to personal development speakers such as Jim Rohn and Brian Tracy and all these changed my life.

I understood for the first time that ideas are things, and that everything we see around us began with an idea, and from there, I started paying attention to my ideas. In the past, ideas would come to my mind but I never paid any attention to them so they just went, never to return.

I learned from Jim Rohn that you should keep a notepad and pen with you everywhere you go and write down every idea that comes to you. In 2014  my husband got me an iPad, the best gift I have ever received to date. I have been using my iPad and now write down every single idea that comes to my mind, whether it is a book title, or messages to speak at Church or how to proceed with a particular business idea.

I think it will be good to give you some background about me. I have always liked the idea of having my own business and from a young age knew that I had an entrepreneurial spirit within me however I did not know how to express it, but it never stopped me from trying.

At Exeter University whilst doing my first degree, my best friend and I thought of ways of making money. We finally settled for what I thought was an excellent business idea, something we could do well and which was needed by every living being; food, namely cooking food for lazy university students who could not be bothered to cook for themselves or did not know how to cook.

It was all going well and we were getting some orders until one Saturday evening, I took a call from what I thought was a potential client ready to place an order. The person on the other line (whose identity I still do not know up to now), instead of placing an order proceeded to ask me if we had a food and hygiene safety certificate to prepare meals for the public, and if our business was registered for tax purposes. At the tender age of 18 and 19 respectively my friend and I were so shaken that we closed up shop that night.

Then in 2004 after graduation from Exeter, a sister of my best friend had a brilliant business idea, to set up a magazine that would be catered for young aspiring Africans living in the diaspora. It was during this business set-up that I knew I had the ability to make things happen. As soon as I caught on to the vision I ran with the idea.

At the time I was doing my Master’s degree at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London which attracts students from all over the world who are interested in issues of Africa and the diaspora. Using my God-given natural networking and selling skills, I managed to rally my friends as well as my fellow-students from SOAS to come on board. We came up with a great name for the magazine, ‘Modern African Generation’ and we printed one issue.

However the group became too big and I have learned that when there are too many cooks in the kitchen the food is likely to suffer, and in our case, it did. It just became too big and there were too many people on board for us to manage.

In March 2008 we held a successful Ghana at 50 Independence Day Celebration however the after-party was so poorly attended that my business partner and I made a huge loss and we both had to fork out a large amount of money from our own pocket to pay the club. So the idea flopped after that!

As I have explained in my forthcoming book ‘How to Discover Your Life’s Purpose Through Dreams’ I gave my life to Jesus Christ in 2010 and have now found my purpose, which is to ’empower people to discover their purpose and reach their potential’ and since then my life has never been the same. Every thought and idea I have are now guided by the Lord Jesus because I ask Him on a daily basis to take control over my spirit, soul (mind, will, emotions) and body and He does! He literally guides my thoughts and gives me ideas that will promote His Kingdom.

In January 2015, as I was reflecting on the new year and asking God what He had instore for me, He gave me an idea to start my business. The difference this time is that it is going to be a business with His seal of approval. Jesus Christ has given me a global vision of businesses that will serve the entire world, and not just those in London where I am based.

The first business idea He gave me in February 2015 was to set up my spiritual life coaching business. The reason I love the business is that it is something that comes so naturally to me, I love people and always want to see the best in people come forth. Since then He has guided me to write my first book which will be published on 1 June and has helped me to launch my website this week: http://www.blessingcoaching.com

I will journal the steps I have been taking to make this business idea become a reality in my next blog so please sign-up and stay tuned!

From today, if you have a brilliant business idea, please write it down.

And remember, no matter what happens in life, Jesus loves you.

With love,

Blessing