Dear Girl Bosses Under Duress,
This week, I reflect on my experience attending the 5-day Google Hustle Academy Business Bootcamp.
Just Get Started
After successfully pivoting from the creative sector, I spent the past 3-4 years working in a demanding public sector job. While I excelled in that role, I often found myself daydreaming about creating something of my own. I watched others build lives that seemed to feed their souls, feeling both envious and stuck on the sidelines. I told myself that what they were doing was impossible for someone like me—I counted myself out before I even tried. It wasn’t until a particularly honest therapy session, facing the reality that my public sector job might be in jeopardy due to upcoming national elections, that I began to consider alternative paths. I had a solid business idea, one I’d shared with my inner circle and even outlined on paper. But beyond reserving a domain name and creating a bare-bones Shopify website, I hadn’t taken any real steps forward. I was stuck, overwhelmed by the enormity of my vision.
My therapist, also a life coach, encouraged me to start small. She reminded me that I wasn’t a “fly-by-night” coach and suggested I begin with my life-coaching certification and weight loss eBook. I had already helped a friend lose 4 kg in two weeks, yet I hadn’t thought about monetising that expertise. Her advice was simple: "Your voice comes with an invoice." That session, combined with attending Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts' sermon ‘Activate Your Spark’ at Activate South Africa 2024, ignited something in me. Pastor SJR’s words, “I’m getting ready to start something,” resonated deeply, reminding me that my journey—not in spite of my challenges, but because of them—would enable me to fulfill my purpose. You can listen to the full sermon here.
This spiritual awakening led me to finally launch the GBUD platforms. After nearly two years of sitting on the idea, I had a clear vision, but now the challenge was to bring it to life and engage the right people, brands, and institutions. It hasn’t been a terrible start.
Last week at the GBUD Book Club – Phola: The Healing Series, our guest Janine Jellars described me as "a doer." Hearing that affirmed how much my internal work—healing from trauma, overcoming fear, and addressing feelings of inadequacy—had paid off. The fruits of that labor are beginning to show, though the harvest is still far off. I celebrate the small wins and continue to make daily strides towards becoming the person I want to be: curious, kind to myself, healthy, and a thriving entrepreneur.
Last week at the GBUD Book Club—Phola: The Healing Series. We are wearing my friend, Mpho’s, clothing brand Cinched. I often wear it during my workouts and the quality is to die for! You can find out more about the brand here.
A New Start, Again
After two months of being “fun-employed,” I started a new full-time job this week. Let me tell you—balancing it all has been a challenge. I’m truly in my “trusting God and the universe” era because, wow, capitalism is brutal! But I’m grateful for the opportunity to stay active in my profession while growing my entrepreneurial journey.
Starting the Business
I launched the business but felt woefully unprepared. I was learning on-the-go, mostly from Google, YouTube, and TikTok. While my community supported me, I still felt isolated. Grieving the loss of my previous job while creating something entirely new was overwhelming. The irony? I was trying to build a platform focused on health, wellness, and career development while feeling unwell and questioning my own career. God really has a sense of humor! But I persisted. I soaked up as much knowledge as I could to keep growing. That’s how I stumbled upon the Google Hustle Academy Business Bootcamp while applying for their project management short course. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with learning. I’m always ready to take up a course, program, or book in the name of gaining more knowledge. I applied and was accepted, joining fellow entrepreneurs at various stages of their journeys.
What is the Google Hustle Academy Business Bootcamp?
The Hustle Academy is a free, 5-day virtual bootcamp for small businesses in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. It helps entrepreneurs master AI skills, network with peers, and gain insights from expert mentors. The sessions cover a wide range of topics, from business strategy to digital marketing and leadership, with a focus on preparing businesses for future success.
What Did We Cover?
Day 1: Business Strategy – We conducted a SWOT analysis and designed a growth plan for the coming year, focusing on how to attract new customers and increase sales.
Day 2: Sales & E-Commerce – We set revenue goals, analysed market trends, and explored ways to move customers through the sales funnel.
Day 3: Digital Marketing & AI – We immersed ourselves in digital marketing channels and discovered new AI-powered tools to enhance our strategies.
Day 4: Productivity with AI – We learned about AI tools that could save time and how to plan finances for securing investments.
Day 5: Leadership
We explored leadership styles, from the perspective of Ubuntu and African leadership values.
The bootcamp also offered valuable networking opportunities through WhatsApp and social media, and we now have access to a LinkedIn group for alumni to stay connected. Additionally, I had a one-on-one session with a business expert who offered advice on scaling my business and pitching.
My Takeaways
The biggest challenge was committing five full days to the program, with sessions running from 10:00 to 15:00. If you’re going to join, I recommend fully engaging to get the most value. Also, you have to meet a 90% attendance threshold to receive your certificate and a one-on-one consultation/ mentorship session, so I do believe that it is absolutely crucial to block time out for this. Though we had over 50 participants each day, the chat feature helped us share thoughts and questions. The facilitators were excellent, but I do think a hybrid model with some in-person interaction would enhance the experience. That said, I gained so much from this bootcamp. It’s equipped me with new tools and strategies to push my business forward in 2025. I now have a clear growth plan, and I feel better prepared to tackle the challenges ahead.
A Final Word on Starting
Capitalism may keep us under duress, but I believe it’s important to start something of your own that speaks to your passions. This doesn’t have to be a business; it could be a nonprofit, a podcast, or even a YouTube channel. The possibilities are endless in this digital age. So take my advice or leave it, but whatever you decide, grab every opportunity to learn and grow with both hands. If you are interested in the programme, you can apply here.
Much love,
Your fellow girl boss under duress,
Thembi