Lyana’s Story

Hello, my name is Lyana,

I come from a family of nine, including myself. For many years, we lived in a rental flat, but we are excited to be moving into our own purchased flat by the end of this year.

I would describe myself as a semi-extrovert, someone who enjoys getting to know others and sharing my knowledge, but also knows when to be silent and reflective in uncomfortable situations.

Currently, I am pursuing a home based business in the cooking industry, Sarahah Kitchen. I have a passion for helping others, and I hope to use my skills and experience to bring my family together and build a family business. This way, we can not only bond as a family but also educate our children on the value of hard-earned money.

I am excited to see where this journey takes us and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.

What attracted you to the EFI program?

What attracted me to EFI is their focus on achieving our goals in a way that is truly beneficial to everyone involved. I was impressed by how EFI prioritizes tracking our monthly savings and continually improving our processes, which shows me that they are serious about their commitment to success.

What really stood out to me was how EFI instills a sense of confidence in their partcipant’s to upgrade themselves without fear of rejection. This is important because many other social help programs scrutinize an applicant's bank savings, which can be discouraging for those trying to improve their lives.

EFI's approach is different and refreshing. They truly care about the wellbeing of their participants and are invested in helping them achieve their goals.

What goals did you decide to pursue as a family with the support of EFI?

With the support of EFI, my family and I have decided to pursue several goals that we believe will make a positive impact on our lives.

Firstly, we are committed to building a successful family business in the cooking industry. We believe that this will not only bring us closer together as a family but also help us to achieve financial stability and independence. We are grateful for EFI's support in this endeavour, as they have provided us with resources and guidance to help us get started.

In addition, we are focused on improving our financial literacy and management skills. We understand that financial stability is key to achieving our goals, and we are grateful for the financial coaching by Her Rise Above and support that EFI has provided us with.

How did you go about achieving your goals?

  1. Achieving our goals in the family business cooking industry was a process that required a lot of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn.

  2. I have started by identifying our strengths and passions in the cooking industry. I wanted to make sure that our family business aligned with what we were truly passionate about and what we were good at.

  3. We researched the market and identified a niche that we could fill. We wanted to offer something unique and of high quality, while still being affordable for our customers.

  4. We developed a clear business plan, outlining our goals, timelines, and financial projections. We also sought out advice and guidance from EFI, as well as the Her Rise Above team.

  5. We invested in our skills and knowledge, taking courses and attending workshops to improve our cooking techniques, recipe development, and business management skills.

  6. We leveraged social media and other marketing channels to build a strong brand and reach our target audience. We also focused on providing exceptional customer service and building strong relationships with our customers.

  7. We remained flexible and adaptable, adjusting our strategies as needed based on customer feedback and market trends.

What have you learnt from the process?

  1. Planning and preparation are crucial. Developing a clear business plan and breaking down our goals into smaller, achievable steps helped me to stay focused and motivated.

  2. Learning and growth are ongoing processes. I recognized that there is always room for improvement and invested in our skills and knowledge to stay competitive in the industry.

  3. Adaptability is key. I learned to be flexible and adaptable, adjusting my strategies and approaches as needed based on customer feedback and market trends.

  4. Collaboration and communication are essential. Working together as a family and maintaining open communication was crucial to achieving our goals and building a strong business.

  5. Customer satisfaction is paramount. Providing exceptional customer service and building strong relationships with our customers was essential to building a loyal customer base and growing our business.

What are your next steps?

My next step in pursuing my family business in the cooking industry is to enroll in a class 3 driving license. This will allow me to do my own deliveries and purchase supplies at crucial times, without depending on others.

I believe that being capable of driving and managing my own deliveries and supplies is an important step towards achieving our goals as a family business. It will allow us to be more flexible and efficient, and help us to better serve our customers.

Enrolling in a class 3 driving license may seem like a small step, but I believe it will have a big impact on our business and our ability to achieve our goals. I am excited to take on this challenge and develop new skills that will benefit our family business in the long run.

What advice do you have for families that want to follow in your footsteps?

  1. Identify your strengths and passions. Start by identifying what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. This will help you to find a niche that you can fill and be passionate about.

  2. Develop a clear business plan. A well-thought-out business plan is essential for success. Make sure you have a solid understanding of your target market, competitors, and financial projections.

  3. Be prepared to work hard. Building a successful business takes a lot of effort and dedication. Be prepared to put in the time and effort required to achieve your goals.

  4. Invest in your skills and knowledge. Constantly improving and learning is essential to staying competitive in the industry. Take courses, attend workshops, and seek out advice and guidance from professionals.

  5. Be adaptable. Be open to adjusting your strategies and approaches as needed based on customer feedback and market trends.

  6. Maintain open communication and work together as a family. Building a successful family business requires strong communication and collaboration. Make sure you are all on the same page and work together to achieve your goals.

  7. Provide exceptional customer service. Providing exceptional customer service and building strong relationships with your customers is essential to building a loyal customer base and growing your business.

I hope these pieces of advice are helpful for families who are interested in pursuing their own business in the cooking industry. Remember, building a successful business takes time, effort, and dedication. With hard work and perseverance, you can achieve your goals and create a brighter future for your family.

Find out more about Lyana’s home based business on Instagram.

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