“Do you miss New York?” A question that often sends me on a spiral of thoughts and emotions; because I have yet to process New York. New York wasnโt just a city to me; it was a pivot. A place I never thought I would call home, yet it became the setting for some of my most profound transformations.
During my mentorship yesterday at 2Day Venture, I was reminded of where I was a decade ago when I first started building my companies. I saw students presenting ideas that had tremendous potential, but some were hesitant to take advice.
Recently, I found myself explaining the importance of financial planning to the current cohort of the Nyenyezi Fellowship, who were excited about newfound funds in the the Kwathu Kollective. Their excitement was infectious, but it also reminded me of a critical lesson for any entrepreneur: managing cash flow and understanding financial statements isnโt just importantโitโs essential for survival and growth.
As I sat at my desk, flipping through Wagner and Hollenbeckโs Organizational Behavior, I saw more than just theories and models on motivation, teamwork, and leadership. I saw reflections of the lessons Iโve lived, especially during my time at Michigan State University, and the work Iโm doing now with Kwathu Kollective, Bien Corp, Q2 Corp, and Africaโs future at large. One lesson stands out: organizations, like movements, thrive when their culture is rooted in shared purpose, collective pride, and ownership.