Nehemiah E-Community Podcast

Join Patrice Tsague as he interviews Jennifer Mbundani, winner of the 2022 Europe Regional Business Plan Competition, and Néhémie Lumande, Director of the Paris E-Community Center in France. Jennifer will be representing Europe at the International Business Plan Competition at Nehemiah Week 2022. Ms. Mbundani arrived here after completing the Biblical Entrepreneurship Program (BE) when she wrote a business plan and presented it during their region’s business plan competition. The competition offers feedback to BE students from qualified reviewers and gives the students the opportunity to define, articulate and defend not only their calling and vision but also the Kingdom Impact and sustainability of their business. Upon winning the regional competition against Bulgaria, Belgium, and the Netherlands, Jennifer Mbundani qualified to represent France and Europe on August 19, 2022, International Business Plan Competition during the annual Nehemiah Week.

Paris Center Director Néhémie Lumande, himself a BE Alumnus and Regional Business Plan Competitor, has coached, mentored, and encouraged Jennifer since she began as his employee in 2019 and eventually launched out on her own in 2021 to complete BE and set up her own business. Combining her passion for books and reading together with her zeal for the community, and her zest for style, comfort, and elegance, Jennifer created LA BANE BOX, a concierge service book club that provides personalized reading experiences for clients. A young and polyvalent entrepreneur, Jennifer Mbundani looks to promote the intellectual beauty of novels and best sellers through LA BANE BOX, aiming to not only make literature fun for all but also to illustrate the importance of literature. Originally from the Congo, Jennifer has the vision to promote African and African Christian writers starting with French authors and eventually including all other writers from Africa in her offerings. at: Jnny and bookclub.

Will Jennifer’s dream to change the world one book at-a-time win the hearts of the judges and the people to propel her to become the next winner of the International Business Plan Competition? You can help Jennifer realize her dream by registering and participating in this free event at Nehemiah Week HERE.

To receive a limited-time 50% off discount pricing on the Full Conference Package for Nehemiah Week 2022 (includes Business Plan Competition), please click HERE.

Joy V R and Jino Joy of Mumbai, India emerged as the winners of Asia Pacific’s Regional Business Plan Competition held on June 25, 2022. Selected from a group of five competitors from Australia, India, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea, Joy and Jino won both the judge's and people’s votes when they made a compelling 10-minute presentation on their business plan. As part of completing the Biblical Entrepreneurship Program, students write a business plan and present it during their region’s business plan competition. The competition offers feedback to the students from qualified reviewers and gives the students the opportunity to define, articulate and defend their calling and vision, and the Kingdom Impact and sustainability of their business in the marketplace. Winning a regional competition enters the winner as a contestant to represent their country and region during the International Business Plan Competition held annually at Nehemiah Week. This year, Joy and Jino will be representing India and the Asia Pacific Region at Nehemiah Week 2022 on August 15-20, 2022.

Originally from the southern part of India, entrepreneurs Joy VR and Jino Joy married and moved to Mumbai, the capital and financial center of India, in 2008. In 2009 the newly married couple began to hear disturbing news about farmers in their new home state of Maharashtra committing suicide because of debt and hardship, and the couple began to pray about what the Lord would have them do. Born into Christian families, Jino and Joy felt that they had a calling to make a change. After traversing throughout the nation and visiting various rural villages, they developed a passion for Business As a Mission which resulted in the launch of their Agribusiness, Joshua Farms.

This podcast puts on display Jino and Joy’s passion for using their skills, educational and social connections, and finances to glorify God (Matthew 25:14-30). In the interview, you will hear how Joshua Farms has generated employment opportunities to address unemployment and poverty, the greatest challenge facing India today, and how their business has helped reduce suicide among farmers in India. You will also hear from Poh Sim Saw, Regional Director of Asia Pacific attest to the couple’s deep passion and commitment to the Kingdom Impact of Joshua Farms not only in India but internationally.

As we count down to Nehemiah Week, shall Joy V R and Jino Joy of India’s Joshua Farms be the next winner of the International Business Plan Competition? To participate and find out, register for Nehemiah Week at Nehemiah Week 2022

#NehemiahProjectAsia #BusinessPlan #NW2022 #International #Competition

2021 Nehemiah Week Business Plan Winner  

Rina Hicks, winner of Nehemiah Week’s 2021 International Business Plan Competition returns to the podcast to reflect on her year and offer encouragement to those competing in the Nehemiah Week 2022 competition. As part of completing the Nehemiah Project’s BE (Biblical Entrepreneurship Program), Rina not only won all three BE (country, regional and international) competitions in 2021, but she set a historical precedent when she raised the quality bar for the business plan presentation (watch the 2021 Nehemiah Week International Business Plan Competition here). Rina’s 2021 victory brought the International Business Plan Competition trophy to Africa for the second year in a row.

Mrs. Hicks serves as Operations Director and directs the Corporate Finance Advisory Unit in their family-owned Faida Investment Bank in Nairobi, Kenya. Founded in 1994, Faida provides investment opportunities and corporate finance advisory services in Kenya and Rwanda, and is licensed and regulated by the capital markets authority in Kenya www.fib.co.ke.

Rina’s greatest passion, however, lies in exhorting and helping people take responsibility for the resources God has given them so that they can thrive and live abundantly. Through the company for which she won the 2021 Business Plan Competition, RH Group Limited, Mrs. Hicks empowers her clients to be financially free to pursue their God-given purpose by helping them successfully manage their finances and make financial plans aligned to their values and goals. Using her online course “Investible,” and in collaborative partnerships with various institutions, Rina has trained and coached over 5,000 individuals to be financially free. Displayed in her 2016 book “Money-Wise: Create, Grow & Preserve Wealth” and her YouTube Channel, “Money-Wise with Rina Hicks,” which has more than 33,000 subscribers, and over 1.3 million Jews worldwide, Rina’s vision is of Africans propelled to greater heights in the management of their finances, and an African continent of financially secure families.

While balancing marriage and three children, Rina was recently voted ‘top 10 women to watch in 2022 in Banking and Finance in Africa’ (Angaza Awards 2022). She is a glorious inspiration to all current and aspiring Biblical Entrepreneurs around the world. As Keynote Speaker at Nehemiah Week’s August 19 2022 Business Plan Competition, Rina promises to challenge, encourage and light a fire of Operational Excellence that will burn in every participant’s heart. In advance of Nehemiah Week 2022, Rina offers these personal words of encouragement to all attendees: “The International Business Plan competition will inspire you and encourage you whether you are starting your business or have been in business for a long time. The quality of business plans presented and the way they are presented will also be an opportunity for you to think about your business in ways you may never have. The valuable feedback given to the pitches and entrepreneurs will help you broaden your perspective and help you with your own!”

When we are defining a sustainable church we talk about different steps in building a spiritually vibrant church that is financially viable with a successful congregation committed to impacting culture until Jesus returns.

Many churches are undergoing quite a number of challenges because they have not built a thriving community that embraces one another for growth, support and market place revelation. There have been a huge gap in our churches today in a way that most pastors do not realize that market revelation and realization is something that can actually build their interactions with one another.

Generations come and go, but the church would always remain to be same. If you want to be unique and stay for the longest time without being affected by economic, social or political tribulations you must build a culture of commitment amongst your audience.

When a church has an established culture over years, gaining unbreakable reputation is premium for the longest time. A sustainable church should be holistic in all dimensions, and this is important not only for the church but also in representation of the body of Christ.

At times the society demands the presence of the church in addressing some critical issues that affect them. It is for this reason that, most advanced societies would want to associate themselves with established church that are well known for sustainability in difficult situations.

Different groups of people would want to be associated with a church that builds their faith, impacts in almost all the factors surrounding them. The expansion of churches globally has caused the atmosphere to have a very difficult appeal to the society, the rise of splinter groups within the subsets of the church is alarming.

When you are a pastor and the goal is to oversee a church that stays for long and accommodates the entire society without bias, you need to emphasize on building the foundation under Christ. Some few people will always be there to destroy an established foundation in the society but under Christ, everything is deemed secure for future.

A sustainable church will always be a bride to Christ and society’s hope at all times.

Register for Nehemiah Week 2022: Operational Excellence on 15 – 20 August 2022: https://bit.ly/3Irr71V

Pasteur Marc Estes: https://mannahouse.church/

#ECommunity #SustainableChurch #MANNAHOUSE

Africa Virtual Summit on Investment 

Investment is a need for any business owner or brand in the market today. Most people find it hard to execute maximally investment strategies, this will go a long way in planning their investment strategies. Africans have been clustered to be one of the poorest when it comes to better investment strategies.

For what most brands don’t know is that investment is actually a potential way of putting your money/wealth into work with a guarantee of plowing back profit in form of Assets. God puts a burn in the hearts of business owners to invest for the future growth of the community and society privileged to enjoy the proceed of their businesses.

Raising billion dollars a year for brands might look like an uphill task, but that can be solved when an investor chooses to care about the returns and be proud of trying to actually realize the billion dollars mark as projected.

Not everyone would know how to save and invest. Such instances are connected always by circumstances such as psychological behaviors, age, and demand just to mention a few. Competitive returns are quite risky when trying to build an investment strategy. When the capital is good, the offer to return will also blossom a great deal.

When you combine capital and an optimistic heart in your business the positivity in returns will be automatically guaranteed. The goal for your investment strategy should be educational in every step, no one knows how to invest on the first try.

Many entrepreneurs in Africa fear risking it all for investments that guarantee returns. Why should they make this choice no matter the risk? Entrepreneurs should have an unimaginable desire to make the future better than what they have now.

This is even near the heart but away from the performance. However, working in faith and reminding self to take one step after another brings more joy that is accorded to even living in a moment than anything else.

In summary, the amount of investment a business owner can have is always tied to the risk or amount of market tolerance a business has in the industry. Taking some risk is really necessary when you aim to expand. Africa has an open space for business owners to expand, it’s just a matter of time before such needs would be exploited aggressively in the future.

Too much risk will lead to high investments and vice versa of the same if not done well!

Register for Nehemiah Week 2022: Operational Excellence on 15 – 20 August 2022: https://bit.ly/3Irr71V

CONNECT with like-minded entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/3q3Xf2K

#AfricaVirtualSummit #Africa #Investment #Business #DigitalTransformation

Leadership: The Key to Scaling Your Business – EC Podcast: Host Patrice Tsague with Guest Anne Beiler.

Many entrepreneurs are facing a huge challenge in trying to make their businesses better. Clients come to your business because they are struck and stuck, yet such businesses can’t handle them. Some businesses have hit glass ceiling trying to scale because of so many things; Pretending to be something they are not.

Lack of knowledge to scale up and grow your business may feel slightly scary by the prospect. Every business has a story, and all these stories are accelerated by the need of the owner to achieve something for themselves. Sometimes it is driven by internal factors, psychological demands, and level of skill set or expertise.

Some of the most important items that will help you scale your business actively and aggressively is by introducing family into your business model. Let everything be guided by the principles of hope and life. By focusing on what you want to be and not what you are is very important.

By employing a culture of religion into your business, you will be taking yourself a notch higher compared to those in your surroundings. (Christ in a working). You must be ready for growth at any time – this will help you generate more force in your performance in the market.

Sometimes, a business built in a family setting, risks of abuse and negative collaboration may arise. This calls for more counselling of the entire team and even the executive themselves. When we hear different success stories in business, we all have that greener side of the leaf because everything is at the “Rest Stage.”

Successful business people, have stories that not only ties them to their business alone, but also family, religion and culture. When all these factors are catered for and brought to optimum, success will automatically reflect in your business. It might not be easy because of other one or two few factors, like capital and technology, but with a plan you will be guaranteed of a slow but steady approach for in the market.

If you want to scale your business, you need to have a purpose about other people, Have a great product for the market and society and also surround yourself with a team of great experienced people. Great businesses focus on these key points. Being a charismatic entrepreneur, you must have a goal of building a community cohesive brand that elevates the community surrounded.

There are a lot ways you can think of when it comes to scaling your business, however when you don’t deal first with yourself, then it would be hard to replicate the same in your business, staff and family.

Anne F. Beiler - American businesswoman https://auntieannebeiler.com/

Register for Nehemiah Week 2022: Operational Excellence on 15 – 20 August 2022: https://bit.ly/3Irr71V

CONNECT with like-minded entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/3q3Xf2K

#AuntiAnnePretzel #ECommunity #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

2022 Africa Regional Competition

Africa is a land of vast business opportunities. Looking at the number of startups and the increasing need for venture capitalists to invest in Africa we find that, the future of many economies lies in Africa.

In the coming years, Africa’s position with so many countries living under the poverty line, political problems, and diseases have a greater advantage of growth than other countries because of the need to invest in Africa, Empower Africans, and Build Africa.

When we look at how entrepreneurs in Africa come up with their different business models, all aiming at improving the state of their societies, we find out that Africa has the ability to grow economically, socially, and politically exponentially.

Despite the corruption and economic subjugation, Africa is still the place where systems demand to be built. There is actually a lot of space to build in Africa in terms of Infrastructure. If you don’t invest in Africa now, you will be losing the biggest chunk of the future economic powerhouse.

When we look at the youngest active population that’s making purchases come from Africa. The intellectual population growth in Africa is quite demanding for the economy. This is the reason why it’s defined as a land of vast underutilized opportunities.

However, there are so many challenges in Africa for Entrepreneurs; corruption, poor policies, and political instabilities just to mention a few that scare away investors. This has been cornered by the advancement of technology, the implementation of Godly principles that guide entrepreneurial journeys.

The growing democracy in Africa has also opened more business opportunities for the continent. The demand and sense of nationalism has been growing, People want to see the future of their livelihoods and their children improve, that’s why we have foreigners in Africa helping the population grow.

African leaders need to come together and vouch for more open business investments from external philanthropists. These leaders are the experts, entrepreneurs, and sporting activities leaders. Africa is developed and that’s something that is driving the willingness to build Africa.

A call to action is for more investors to come and employ more Africans in more scalable opportunities. Some Africans want to leave their continent for better opportunities in foreign worlds, without realizing how incredible Africa it is to the world; when there realize it later, it becomes more surprising to see them come back and start their own robust businesses too.

This is what the bible teaches us when it comes to the pursuit of wealth and growth. (Hunger, intelligence and willingness to work)

Register for Nehemiah Week 2022: Operational Excellence on 15 – 20 August 2022: https://bit.ly/3Irr71V

CONNECT with like-minded entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/3q3Xf2K

#BusinessPlan #AfricaRegionalCompetition #ECommunity #Collaboration

Biblical Entrepreneurship in Cyprus – EC Podcast: Patrice Tsague with guest Antony and Naomi Vasili

When it comes to building a robust business, all you need is support. Most businesses fail because they do not receive the right kind of spiritual guidance that can strengthen them in the market.

As a couple who have the desire to build a successful business, it is always advised to first understand each other, so that you can achieve the fundamental values of working cohesively.

Businesses built on the foundation of Christ would certainly perform very well because so many things might happen along the way but with Christ, you can do your duties and let God complete the rest.

The growth of biblical influence on couples in business has grown a long way as many people now discover this as the right trajectory for building a robust economy.

When couples have to trust the surety of working together is always at its peak. This trust is the foundation of good listenership and performance in the market.

A good man will always trust in his wife by realizing the Godly ways of working as a team. The bible advises individuals to focus on building one another when love is there. This has greatly impacted how humble couples want to view the bible in business.

Some of the key values that entrepreneur couples need to avoid is “Overthinking”. With an open mind toward biblical teachings, couples can perfect so many things in business.

While championing for greater understanding of the bible, it is clear that most people now would love to work with their couples than friends because of the closeness in belief, therefore it’s always important to be open to one another.

While profits are always a very critical component and are necessary to secure the capital needed to serve the community, profits are not the reward — they are the means. For those in business, or those who want to start over, seeking biblical advice will help build a foundation that no other entrepreneur who is a non-believer wouldn’t try top demolish.

Register for Nehemiah Week 2022: Operational Excellence on 15 – 20 August 2022: https://bit.ly/3Irr71V

CONNECT with like-minded entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/3q3Xf2K

#ECommunity #Entrepreneurship #Cyprus #KingdomBusiness

Biblical Entrepreneurship in Haiti

Biblical entrepreneurship is about helping others achieve more by giving them networks is one of the kind ways of living a good life. By the idea of building better through biblical teachings that would guide others have the best entrepreneurship growth is a blessing.

When you set your goals that you want to achieve this you will have to commit to hard work, focus, commitment and the desire to walk with God. Everyone wants to be in a community that’s connected, a community that makes them grow together.

The entrepreneurial thread of life is very thin but tight. Sometimes it has challenges, at the same time it makes you tough to believe you can. Sometimes we meet people who don’t understand the needs of us in the market, all we do make is them believe.

Valuing God and seeking his intervention in every step you take is so important. A community living in cohesion and helping each other grow is a community guided and protected by God. As a leader and a person who is focused in his entrepreneurial goals you’ll have to be close to God.

Sometimes you will discover you are not just doing it for yourself, but for the sake of those who come next after you. A generation built in the foundation of working hard and leaving the next generation something to be proud of makes God happy.

The community wants to connect with someone who sees the vision bigger than them. This is appellate to every like-minded entrepreneur. Therefore you should focus on living for growth. Don’t forget to trust yourself and the people next to you.

We should always remember that the score card is always important. You’ll have challenges along the way in finding yourself, as a starter but don’t lose the race and the pace.

Biblical entrepreneurship is one of the best topics you can ever enjoy anytime. When we want to build a community of like-minded business leaders, growing together, we ought to consider the important calling from God, which are now the Biblical Entrepreneurship Principles!

In the end, we all want to be happy. We all want to connect with each other and grow easily, by being a leader you putting yourself at the forefront to guide others. Having a hub that will bring all of them closer would minimize many differences and increase the opportunities of sharing ideas and borrowing from each other.!

CONNECT with like-minded entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/3q3Xf2K

Register for EC Global Forum – Leadership: The Key to Scaling Your Business on 14th June 2022, 7 am-9am PDT: https://nehemiahecommunity.com/event/ec-global-forum-jun22/

#BiblicalEntrepreneurship #ECommunityCenter #Haïti

Back2BusinessEC

Getting Better in Business as a Couple!

Surprisingly, couples who are running small businesses are thriving in the global economy today. Perhaps we should think of something, right?

Well, how do we get better? By understanding how to get better in business as a couple you’ll have to do the following things. Hold up, let's set you up!

Both of you would have the idea, and the outlook of your goals but finding the best excuse to laying your efforts together is not there.

A family brainstorming is so important at this stage, let ideas flow, and allow each other to meditate on the long-term effect of the idea. Build up together on each gap. Once the idea impresses the visual goals of what you want together then you can now support each other.

Getting an idea is a great thing!

The next wise idea is to analyze the industry, and how other players in that field of your idea. Determine the core differences and spot a market gap. This is often called “SWOT analysis” simply checking the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

This is a very important part. Being a couple you’ll often bump into each other, but you’ll know how to navigate that.

Let God always be your anchor. Let him guide most of your decisions as a couple. It’s always important to believe that there is someone who will always take care of you. And that’s God!

A business that has the presence of God in it will always thrive. You pray for each other, and you encourage each other every day. That’s how you’ll find yourself up.

Allow the decisions that you also make in your business to be guided by Godly intervention. Good businesses have grown and even survived during the pandemic have been these small businesses run by couples.

There are plenty of reasons to commend your spouse for the choice of finally deciding to work together. Best but just a few of these are like;

· You put your minds together.

· You both are accountable to each other.

· The ability to focus is high.

· Assisting others to grow will always be your priority.

· You will always be close to each other.

Find yourself a nice spouse and try out a business together! You’ll be amazed.

There are challenges, but the focus is always important when you find it hard for each other. Allow them to respect each other and balance between work and love. Go for dates, find God, and make each other happy when the distance begins. There will always be no challenges.

You can start today and see how it flows. However, patience, hard work, and integrity should always be your anchor. Let God be part of you. And you’ll be what you dream for!

CONNECT with like-minded entrepreneurs: https://bit.ly/3q3Xf2K

Register for EC Global Forum – Leadership: The Key to Scaling Your Business on 14th June 2022, 7 am-9 am PDT: https://nehemiahecommunity.com/event/ec-global-forum-jun22/

#ECommunity #Back2Business #Marketing #Value