In a world filled with talent and thriving industries, Black women aspire to rise above the clamour; building profitable businesses, and creating legacies that resonate for generations. The art of personal branding is one of the keys to unlocking this transformative journey. This dynamic approach enables entrepreneurs to stand out, exhibit their authentic selves, and make an indelible impression on their target audience. In this blog post, we will explore the lasting impact of personal branding and how it will empower you to find your unique voice and inspire others on their path to success.

Every two years, we release an impact report that details the work and programmes of Do it Now Now across all of its initiatives, including Black and Good.

We are proud to release our 2021 - 2022 Impact Report, which details our work and programmes as well as a collection of thoughtful articles on the meaning and methods of why and how we serve our community.
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​The Black impact sector needs support in order to find true equity. Last month, we released our cost of living report, A Desert without Resources, a sobering look into the current financial crisis that the sector is undergoing. Do it Now Now, despite our successes and relative position, is by no means immune, and the ways in which we can continue to provide positive impact will evolve with the current landscape.

1. Find your why - what is your purpose for starting a side hustle? Is it to make money or solve a problem? Understanding this from the beginning will help you to stay grounded if any difficulties arise. 
2. Take an audit - get a list of things that you enjoy doing at your current job and things that you are naturally good at. Is there anything that people always ask you to help with? 
3. Identify your passions - what do you enjoy doing but don't get paid for? 
4. Idea generation - once you've completed steps 1 - 3, you now have a great starting point to begin the process of ideating. Combining your skills and passions is a great way to see how you can add to the market. 
5. Find the demand - now that you have a healthy list of ideas, it is time to put your findings together to identify any gaps in the market which you can fill with your hustle. 
6. Identify how much time you have - life is busy, and knowing exactly how much time you have available to work on your side hustle will dictate the kind of side hustle you start. 
7. Validate your idea - this is crucial to understanding if your side hustle will sink or swim. It can be done quickly and at a low cost. Although it may seem tedious, it will save you time and money. You can validate your idea by tapping into existing contacts and contacting local businesses. 
8. Plan when you will work on your hustle - to see growth in your side hustle, it is essential to set time aside to work on it. Always remember that you power this, so you will get out what you put in. 
9. Identify goals for your side hustle (often) - the best way to do this is to set a few long-term and several short-term goals. This will allow you to build momentum and remain in execution mode, which is crucial for survival. 
10. Start small - it is easy to fall into the trap of grand ideas and thinking that certain things must be done now, but take your time. Little and often is the best way forward, and as you become accustomed, you can start to think about scaling. 
11. Tell people - you'll be surprised how often first customers come from close contacts. Sending out a word of your latest project is the easiest way to acquire customers and establish initial growth. 

Be fearless - you will never feel 100% about your side hustle, but that does not matter; being proactive does! Be bold and launch quickly; a quick fall allows you to learn and adjust.

Burnout and Developing Balance
The first series was about 'Burnout and Developing Balance'. During this panel discussion, we heard from three incredible entrepreneurs about their journey from burnout to balance and how they began developing their mindsets. The event aimed to create a safe space for honest discussion, highlight the signs and added elements that lead to burnout.

Life holds many waves and unexpected turns. Sometimes our persistent pursuit of balance may be the goal that leaves us feeling short of the mark. When it comes to burnout, what's important is the recognition of our needs, the understanding of what isn't working and what needs to change.

As entrepreneurs, our work and vision often become prominent in our lives. We can pour our life force into our work, ultimately forgetting about our core and what needs to be sustained from within. Subria Jones, a.k.a The Corporate Hippie, shared that burnout is a creeper condition, meaning you don't recognise it is happening or are in it - until suddenly it demands your attention. With this in mind, below are ways to support your wellness moving forward:

• The first step is honouring that waves will arise. Then we need to learn the skills to sail through them when they do. Therapy, community spaces, and having solid connections can support this.

 

• Take a moment to develop perspective. What do you need more of in your life right now, and what would be helpful to release? 

 

• Assess your approach. If you carry multiple plates and work all day into the night, ask yourself, "Am I placing my worth and success on my outcomes? Have I created a bar I must reach to deem myself worthy?"

 

• If so, hold grace with yourself. You are more than the things that you do. Build a life that includes the essential elements of wellness. Incorporate rest, healthy relationships, connection, joy, and purpose. Begin with planting these seeds; transformation will take time to happen.

 

• Snatch time and re-focus your priorities. Carve out the necessary time for what is most important - your health, your life, and your mental wellbeing. Develop a perspective and focus on what our priorities are. 

 

• Give it purpose. If you are struggling to release your responsibilities right now, pause. Please take a moment to re-centre, remind yourself of the goal, and give it reason and meaning—our Why is often our fuel and can carry us through.

 

• Talk, share, connect. Talking to colleagues, friends, and family about the pressures and how you are feeling, it may become apparent that you needn't do this alone, and in fact, there is a willing and able support system out there to help you.

We hope this article has been of great help to you, and the next time you notice the signs of burnout, remember to pause and slow down. We have some inspiring events coming up to support your business journey. 

Our next Mindset Session is on 11 April! A conversation on challenges, difficulties, and how to grow through them. Join us.

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