Defining Slowpreneurship - Géraldine Jippé ... ...

Defining Slowpreneurship

I had a conversation with a fellow entrepreneur, a while back, despite the numerous content I produced over the last couple of years. She stated it was not clear enough for her to understand what slowpreneurship (slowpreneuriat – in french) means in practice. I’ll cover a serie of slowpreneurship-related articles over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned.. 

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of entrepreneurship. The pressure to grow quickly and outcompete others can be overwhelming, and it can lead to burnout, stress, and even failure. Slowpreneurship offers an alternative approach to entrepreneurship that emphasizes quality, sustainability, and a focus on long-term growth over quick profits. In my case, I would also add, heart and consciousness in this equation of slow business for long term impact.

slowpreneurship

Slowpreneurship, a Business Approach

Slowpreneurship is a business approach that prioritizes quality, sustainability, and a focus on long-term growth over quick profits. It emphasizes work-life balance, self-care, and mental wellbeing, and involves developing a clear business plan that aligns with one’s values and vision for the future. Slowpreneurs focus on doing a few things really well, building strong relationships with customers and suppliers, and embracing ethical and sustainable practices that make a positive impact on their community and the world.

That being said, I’ve seen many definition that includes the notion of doing less and making more… this part of the definition is arguable.

At its core, slowpreneurship (slowpreneuriat in french) is about creating a business that aligns with your values and vision for the future. It’s about taking the time to build a strong foundation for your business and focusing on the things that matter most. Slowpreneurs believe that success in business should not come at the expense of their personal lives, and they prioritize work-life balance, self-care, and mental wellbeing.

mindful business

Key Principles of Slowpreneurship

One of the key principles of slowpreneurship is prioritizing quality over quantity. Instead of trying to do everything at once, slowpreneurs focus on doing a few things really well. This helps them build a strong foundation for their business and establish a reputation for quality and excellence. By focusing on quality, slowpreneurs can create products or services that stand out in the market and attract loyal customers.

Another important principle of slowpreneurship is developing a clear business plan. Slowpreneurs take the time to think through their long-term goals and values and create a plan that outlines their path to success. This helps them stay focused on what is important and make strategic decisions that align with their vision for their business. By having a solid plan in place, slowpreneurs can avoid getting sidetracked by distractions or short-term opportunities that do not align with their values and goals.

Building strong relationships with customers and suppliers is also a key aspect of slowpreneurship. Slowpreneurs place a strong emphasis on treating people with respect and kindness, and they listen to feedback from their customers and use it to improve their products or services. By building strong relationships, slowpreneurs establish trust and loyalty that can help them grow their business over time.

conscious leadership

Beyond Prioritizing the Quality and Sustainability in Slowpreneurship

As a slowpreneurs my-self, I can consider that all slowpreneurs also shall prioritize their own health and wellbeing. We all understand that running a business can be stressful and demanding. But they are non negotiable such as getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that promote mental, physical health and contribution. I beliebe that by taking care of myself, entrepreneurs, taking care of themselve, can show up as their best selves for their business, their customers and team.

Not only wellbeing matter, but embracing ethical, reciprocity, regenerative and sustainable practices is another important aspect of what I call slowpreneurship. Many fellow slowpreneurs and myself prioritize reducing waste, using eco-friendly and minimalist materials, and minimizing their environmental impact. I also chose to integrate fair labor practices and treat my team members, collaborators and employees with respect and kindness. By embracing these practices, slowpreneurs can not only create a more sustainable future for their business, but also make a positive impact on their community and the world.

In summary, slowpreneurship, to my eyes, could be considered as a movement that challenges the notion that bigger and faster is always better. Like my fellow slowpreneurs, I prioritize quality, sustainability, and the wellbeing. By adopting a slowpreneurial mindset, business owners can create a business that is not only successful, but also fulfilling and sustainable in the long run. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about slowpreneurship, please let me know.

PS: Listen to my podcast slow is good to learn more about slowpreneurship