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The Newbie Toolbox Kit for Your Journey

August 19, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Yolanda Matine

How I wish I knew half of the things I know now, when I started my entrepreneurial journey back in 2016 with my paper flower business (Goldendreams). Looking back,  it made me realize that while passion and determination are important, there are certain skills that every entrepreneur should possess to better position their business for growth and success. I call it the Starter Kit Toolbox – a unique set of skills to succeed in today's competitive market. In this article, we will explore the essential skill set that newbie entrepreneurs should have and how to apply them at different stages of their entrepreneurial journeys.

I admit, till today I am still struggling with this skill! Financial Literacy: One of the most important skills to have. Understanding basic accounting principles, budgeting, and financial forecasting is crucial to managing your business's finances effectively. Having a strong foundation in financial literacy, helps you make informed decisions about pricing, investments, and cash flow management.

Super grateful I came across a Guru in these areas recently and I didn’t think twice about registering for her masterclasses and polishing up my Marketing and Branding Skills. Being able to effectively promote your products or services, identify your target market, and differentiate your brand from competitors is key to attracting customers and growing your business. This skill is essential throughout all stages of your business and developing it can help you create a strong brand identity and build a loyal customer base.

All entrepreneurial journeys are about Problem-solving and Adaptability, most products or services are developed to take away our pains. Entrepreneurs should possess strong problem-solving skills and be able to adapt to changing market conditions. Honing problem-solving skills can help you navigate obstacles and keep your business on track as you tap into creativity. This skill is important at every stage of your business, as you will need to continuously evolve and innovate to stay competitive and achieve long-term success.

I think I am a great communicator, but I have been a bit lazy to expand and maintain my network. Let me tell you that Communication and Networking Skills are also essential for entrepreneurs. These skills are crucial for building relationships and fostering trust. Networking with other entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and potential partners can open up new opportunities for collaboration and growth. These are used from day zero to forever and they can help you attract customers, secure funding, and build a strong business network.

In conclusion, possessing a diverse set of skills is what is going to help you to better position your business for success. The above-mentioned skills are important at every stage of your business, from the initial planning and launch to ongoing growth and expansion. By investing in your skill set and continuously learning and improving, you can increase your chances of building a successful and sustainable business. In case you want to see for yourself on Marketing skills please check this Instagram page out: https://www.instagram.com/umataldegloria.mz/


Yolanda Matine is an Entrepreneur, Food Lover and Enthusiast in Mozambique. She graduated with a BSc Agronomy that she never got to practice, but always landed in jobs that somehow shaped her perspective on how she would like to make her  contribution to the world and for coming generations. Her two daughters inspired and drove her towards her real passion, which is cooking, and through cooking and making their lunch boxes every day she is able to show her love for them, nourish their bodies, and touch their souls while they build precious food memories. Yolanda is a strong believer that everything we sow we are going to reap, so she says why not plant the best seed?

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In Guest Blog Tags Yolanda Matine, Entrepreneur Smarts, PT
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Tech FoundHER AFRICA CHALLENGE

Five female founders win over $100,000 in TechFoundHER Africa Challenge. Read more


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Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
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Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri
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Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu
Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c
Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle
Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V
Image of the Day / Barbara McKenzie

Classic meets contemporary…If you are in the market for classic-inspired yet modern clothing which is both stylish and ultra-feminine and trans-seasonal to wear throughout the year, then Kendi Sapepa, found Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Luxury statement accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The Image of the Day / Lunar

Stylish sustainable clothing…We have always been big fans of Lunar in South Africa, the sustainable clothing brand created by owner Nicola Luther and her talented team. Lunar has firmly established itself as one of th Image of the Day / Dathonga Designs

Traditional craft elevated…We love the impact-driven accessories created by Márcia Nangy O’Connell, founder and artistic director of Dathonga Designs in Mozambique. Since 2010, she has establis Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi Image of the Day / Mash. T Design Studio

Award-winning furniture design…We are big fans of talented South African designer Thabisa Mjo, founder of Mash. T Design Studio in Johannesburg, and these fabulous side tables are firm customer favouri Image of the Day / Quazi Design

Sustainable Home Decor…If you want to make a statement with your interior design and home decor, and at the same make a contribution to supporting eco-friendly enterprise, then these unique decor pieces from Qu Image of the Day / Eki

Silk Sensation…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Eki is known for its signature soft silks and ethereal c Image of the Day / ‘57 Chocolate

Bean to bar luxury chocolate… Taste the difference with the finest chocolate lovingly produced by ‘57 Chocolate, the pioneer bean to bar chocolate manufacturer in Ghana, created by sisters Kimberle Image of the Day / Kebe Home

Handcrafted home decor …We are big fans of the work of Manuela Kamadjou, an interior architecture and design entrepreneur who transforms homes and spaces in Cameroon through her business, Kebe Home. Her new Echo V

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Júlia Silota, a Mozambican green business builder, focused on environmental waste management
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Isabel Mandofa, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur building a successful, high-impact agri-food business

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Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
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After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin

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