SHE SAID NO!

The sun rose very early on Wednesday and if Biola had not checked her watch, she would have assumed it was noon already. The much anticipated symposium was scheduled to kick off by 10:30 a.m.  It was already 7:25 a.m. by her time, so, Biola rose up quickly to have her routine 30minute devotion.

The guest speakers at the symposium were top business coaches in the country. Biola had always nursed a business idea and hence, couldn’t just wait to meet them.

Biola rounded up her devotion in time, and quickly rushed her chores. In no time, she was done having her bath
and fully dressed up in her well-tailored blue top on a tight black jean trouser, complemented with a nice blue shoe she got from her boyfriend as a valentine gift. Biola being fantastic with make-up artistry, in no time, quickly adorned herself. Though moderate, it was beautiful.

And off she went to the venue of the symposium. As she was heading to the car park, she waved at her colleagues who were going to attend a practical class.

Biola saw Wande, her ‘class confidante’ and informed her about the symposium and how she would consequently miss the practical class. Biola appealed to Wande for help in filling out the class attendance form.

Biola got to the venue pretty early and got herself a seat in the front row where she would gain uninterrupted access to all that was going to be happening throughout the event.

When the event eventually kicked off, the guest speakers came up and shared their stories of how they had made it in business. The story of how one of the guest speakers started rough and eventually ended up very successful touched Biola so much. She got back home so fired up to make a difference as an entrepreneur, which of course was great wishing.

At the close of the symposium, Biola was one of the last sets of people to leave the venue of the symposium, as she wanted at all costs, to see one of the guest speakers, the one whose story had inspired her specially. She finally got to meet him and told him how much he had inspired her. Her compliment was met with some kind words of appreciation. Biola informed him of her desire to start her own business, to which he replied almost immediately, “Why not? Please, go ahead". Such statement motivated Biola the more; she felt fulfilled and satisfied with herself that she had attended the symposium.

 She got back home. Luckily for her, some of her lodge mates had always been requesting for delivery of bread. With some ‘idle’ #15,000 in her bank savings account, she was struck with the thought of selling bread and eggs. Her business lasted a total of twenty-six days and it was gradually crumbling.

Biola now had to almost constantly dispose off of breads that were spoilt. ‘I never bargained for this!’ she exclaimed loudly. What the hell is wrong! Biola got the more frustrated when she realized bread worth #2,000 had to be disposed. In the throes of deep frustration, her phone rang. It was Biola’s friend and teacher. A conversation ensued and Biola narrated amidst sighs of dejection, her ordeal and how she ended up being frustrated by her once "NOBLE IDEA".

On the other end of the call was a very listening friend who on hearing Biola’s account simply asked a question: “Biola, did you first sit down to count your cost?”  She said NO!

Some of us at times find ourselves in the same shoes as Biola. We stumble on an idea and it seems to be one currently in trend, coupled with some dose of motivation, we feel it’s perfect to fit in.

But, it’s always best to first count the cost. When you know the cost and what is required of you at every instance, your ideas will not frustrate you. That others are doing it, should not be the singular motivation for you to follow suit! Always, always count your cost!

Let’s go a step higher. YES WE CAN.

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