Since May of 2019, Khadija has been acting as mentor to Sarah Downs, the co-founder of Doqaru, a business consultancy based in Aberdeen, which focusses on the energy sector. The relationship between them both has flourished through their connection, as both are busy parents, as well as busy in business.

In this special episode, Khadija and Sarah talk about how they met, why it works so well between them, the pressures of parenting in business, and the lessons they've both learned from each other along the way.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Khadija and Sarah have hit it off completely, partly because they're both mums, but also because they both know what life can be like from a parent's point of view in business, and so have been flexible with each other.
• Both Khadija and Sarah have found that they have added and gained more value from their online connections when they've connected offline, also. There are only so many things you can sell to an online-only connection.
• When it comes to The Apprentice, Sarah has no plans to appear. She feels that she would be painted somewhat as an aggressor, as she is very direct. But she very much enjoyed Khadija on the show!
• A mentor is incredibly useful in that they can cast a fresh pair of eyes on decisions and environment. They sometimes disagree, but mainly, mentoring has added huge value, and saved a huge amount of money.
• Mentoring works both ways, though. Khadija has learned a great deal from Sarah and Doqaru's business practices and dealings; lessons that have transferred to her own business methods.
• An exciting element of business is watching values being created, expanded and developed over time by the team and talent you acquire and trust.
• Running a business is tough, and if you've been there from the inception, it can be difficult to let go of certain aspects. Disagreements occur all the time, but as long as respect still exists, then disagreement can still work.
• Accountability matters. Own your mistakes. There's no such thing as failure. There are only lessons. If you can learn from something when it goes wrong, you'll grow.
• Mentoring isn't just about business advice. It can be equally as important to just show support, reassurance and companionship through the choppy waters of the business journey.

BEST MOMENTS

‘You learn all the time'

‘I always want to make sure that people are getting good value for money'

‘I don't like the word “mum-preneur'

‘It means “dirty” in Japanese'

'There's no point in reinventing the wheel, right?'

‘It's like an onion'

'Sometimes you do have to take those risks. So long as you can hold your hands up afterwards'

‘I was delirious at this point'

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Keeping it Real with Khadija Podcast

Doqaru - https://doqaru.com

Sarah Downs LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdowns-doqaru?originalSubdomain=uk

ABOUT THE HOST

Keep it real with Khadija is an interview-based podcast hosted by Khadija Kalifa. As a BBC Apprentice finalist and busy Mumpreneur, Khadija is on a mission to build an empire whilst raising two children, inspiring others to make their passion their profession. Khadija speaks openly about how she grew up in an underprivileged area, turned her daughter's birth trauma into a motivational story, and became a BBC Apprentice finalist, successful business mentor, motivational speaker, property investor and podcast host. Guests of the show speak candidly about life, business, mental health, mindset and making the most of every opportunity.

CONTACT METHOD

Www.keepitrealwithkhadija.com

Www.facebook.com/keepitrealwithkhadija

Email: [email protected]    / [email protected]

Khadija Kalifa Instagram 

Khadija Kalifa Twitter

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