BUSINESS MONDAYS.

Start solving problems instead of chasing ‘paper’.

One of the biggest mistakes I made when I first ventured into business was starting with the wrong question.

I didn’t ask, “What problem can I solve?”

I asked, “How can I make profit or money?”

I thought business is all about making and eating profits.

Years ago, I started selling clothes. Looking back, no one came to my shop naked. So which problem was I really solving?

I am not saying selling clothes is a bad thing, don’t get me wrong.

People already had clothes. I wasn’t solving an urgent problem. I was simply hoping they would choose me over someone else.

When business was slow, I expected my friends to support me. When they didn’t, I became frustrated.

The truth was, I had built my expectations around loyalty instead of value.

Later, I ventured into selling alcohol. That experience forced me to ask myself a difficult question: Was I creating value, or was I making money from something that often created more problems for families and communities?

I think I was creating a problem for other people to solve. They possibly made and still make money from it yet mine was closed down.

Before we founded Health and Wellness Spot (HAWS), we had tried many businesses. Looking back, the common thread was simple; We were chasing money! That was the wrong foundation.

Everything changed when I started asking, “What problem can I genuinely help solve with the skills I have in the medical field?”.

Today, HAWS exists because millions of people are struggling with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation, poor nutrition, and lifestyle related diseases.

We may not solve every health problem, but every day we have an opportunity to educate, encourage, and help people make healthier choices.

That’s a business worth building.

Money is important. Every business needs to be profitable to survive. But profit should be the reward for creating value not the only reason you exist.

Today, ask yourself:

+ What problem does my business solve?

+ Am I creating value, or am I simply chasing income?

The marketplace rewards those who make other people’s lives better. Atleast, money will have a reason to follow.
Whether you’re a doctor, a farmer,a mechanic,a tailor,a teacher, an engineer or an entrepreneur, your business should leave people better than you found them.

Build a reputation before you build your bank account.