As a social entrepreneur, I am constantly working on my business to make it more sustainable, impactful, and enjoyable to run. Here are some of my recent reflections, which I hope might be useful for others who are setting up their own shop, be it a business, research lab or nonprofit.   I am also curious to learn from the experiences of other people running small enterprises. Recent learnings: 1. Tailor my business to my own nervous system Fancy folks call this “building a l

I’ve found that choosing a theme for the year is far more powerful than setting New Year’s resolutions. It’s the small decisions we make that set the trajectory of our lives. At each tiny fork in the road, I try to choose the path that takes me toward more of what I want. Last year my theme was expansion . I expanded my team by bringing on a new strategy coach, the wonderful Jo Mahoney . Together we supported 40 fellows through the African Researcher Accelerator , with many o

As my business grows, I’ve noticed how easy it is for it to take on a life of its own. Without pausing to reflect, it’s easy to get caught in the grind: long hours, mounting pressure, and rushed communication with clients and colleagues. This week, I asked myself: what do I truly value in this work? What should guide my decisions and priorities?  These questions have become my compass as I navigate the winds of change. A Fresh Breeze (1913) painting in high resolution by Geor