It’s hard to believe that a year ago around this time, I made the decision to brave the odds and make the move from employee to business owner. I can’t say it was entirely my own decision, circumstances and certain events led me to a point where I had to make a choice about my way forward… My journey to Thinck.
It was not an easy decision. Being a mother of 3, living in a country undergoing political and economic challenges. In addition, having a natural propensity to doubt myself and my abilities meant that many a night was spent tossing and turning. As a result, hours were spent weighing up the odds, mulling over the potential pitfalls, and fantasising about the opportunities that starting my own company may entail. I remember reading a meme that said “Don’t half-ass anything! Whatever you do, make sure you use your full ass!â€ÂÂ.
Don’t half ass anything
I knew that if I was going to make a go of this, it had to be with full conviction and it was at that point that things clicked into gear. As I spoke to friends, colleagues, peers and associates, I realised I was the only one who really had any doubts about my ability to do this. My fear was making me blind and creating anxiety.
My resolve kicked in and it became clearer to me that all the events that had led me to this point in my life were all gearing up to force me to set my intentions and become very clear on what my future would look like. To create the life I want to live and the legacy I want to leave behind – in a very FULL ASSED way. I also realised that my 20 odd years of training and learning and development experience was a powerful mix that could really add value to businesses.
And so, the journey to Thinck began
There’s something magical about adversity and growing older – they both help you get your priorities straight. As I started unpacking this new venture, I gave some thought to what I did and didn’t want… some core non-negotiables came to light:
- I wanted to add value and serve, not just earn a salary or make money, but to truly make a difference.
- I wanted to do what made my heart sing. I thought long and hard about what made me feel alive and what I loved doing.
- I wanted to do what I knew I was good at and had the skills to do well. I wanted to be authentic in what I could do and the level at which I could do it. I didn’t want to try and be all things to everyone.
- I wanted to work with other professionals but retain my independence and identity.
- I didn’t want to just be another off the shelf training company.
And it was on this foundation that Thinck was created.
Thinck’s Core Values
From this awareness I knew that the heart of the business rested on some core values. Not those cheesy things that companies write up on a wall and no one can remember, but rather a way of being that would help define who we were and how we worked. With a focus on behaviours that REALLY mattered for me and would impact how I and my team would choose to engage with one another and with clients. They are simple, but important:
1. Share The Love
Love your work, love your customer, love your colleagues, love the planet – love does not imply weakness or being soft. When we tackle things with love and when we care enough to use tough love, we engage with the other’s best interests at heart.
2. Own It
100/0: take 100% accountability for what you do – make 0 excuses for not giving your best. This approach implies:
3. Be Real
Speak your mind, speak your truth, be real with no hidden agenda.
4. Live It
Practise what you preach. Embody the work, role model the skills, and be the standard.
5. Make Life Easier
Keep solutions and processes simple. Does it make my client’s life easier? In world of complexity, simplicity is gift.
My dream for Thinck is to create a business that empowers it’s clients, it’s associates, it’s staff. To become the go-to Thincking Partner for solving those issues that keep managers, business owners and HR awake at night. Hold a space where there’s value, care and integrity.
The future is here! The time is now, and I can’t Thinck of a better place to be!
-Candida
