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All the action is on my new WEBSITE:  www.onematchstick.co.za Come over there and see how the final trade fort the office space is happening...

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Future Landlord found!

I have good news!   

I finally finished my proposal and send this email to someone I wanted to pitch trading with me for the final office space.

I got this reply.

And last week Friday I met with him, and he offered me the final onematchstick office space.  

So my future Landlord is Allon Raiz of Raizcorp, and we are finalising our trade, so that I can trade backwards to my current item  (My burning the matchstick at both ends strategy).

So dettails to follow soon!

To keep up to date - check out and follow my new onematchstick.co.za blog!


Yeehaa! :)



onematchstick will finish this year!

I'm on a mission to finish my trading part of my project called onematchstick, this year.

This means that I would either have reached my goal of "office space" to help startup entrepreneurs, or I will give up.

So what will it be?  I hope the former.

I am recapping my story to date, as I finalise a proposal to give to my future landlord.

And with that I have started a new website to track this last year of onematchstick - so please go to that new blog to see the recap's of each trade, and watch and help make onematchstick happen!

Let's get that "office space" this year!  #onecourageousgoal

Join me at onematchstick.co.za.



The Self Conscious Entrepreneur


I had a fun chat with Thulisile of Future Females Johannesburg, about how self conscious entrepreneurs can overcome this fear of being seen, and shine and share their value with confidence and courage instead.

And we got to talk about what I learnt from my onematchstick journey, how it has helped me in my business and developed my skills as well, and what my next steps are.

You can watch the live Instagram interview here:


Challenges and Feedback

I'm taking part in the Future Females awesome "5 Days To Start Business Challenge."

I'm using it to kickstart my final phase of this onematchstick project, of meeting my future Landlord and getting the final offices.

As part of the challenge, I need to get some feedback from... you!

So if you are up for it, I have a 2 page  'concept document' that I would love to share with some peeps who would give me some input and answer a few questions I have, to help me fine tune my next big push.

If that's you, then get in touch with me so we can get going and chatting! THANK YOU!


PS- I'm also a guest blogger for Future Females

Wildlife Photography Master Class and onematchstick

I just spent a fun weekend at the Tapsnapp stand at the Photo Plus Africa expo, getting to tell all the photographers I could about my latest item up for trade,and I'm looking forward to hearing from some of them with offers for the gear!

I met Michael Tucker there - an award winning Wildlife Photographer - and I loved his photos, and he loved my onematchstick idea.  So much so, that he has donated a voucher for his Wildlife Photography Master Class for me to trade on!  How cool is that :)


So I am adding this Voucher to Box 2 of my tech gear item up for trade.  That means that what I have on offer has just increased in value!

More about this Wildlife Photography Master Class:

If you are a photographer and want to learn from the pro Michael about how to take better shots of wildlife, this is a great 6 hour Master class for you!  It is run as 2 three hour sessions one week apart, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

You'll learn about animal behaviour, as well as advanced photographic techniques, manual settings  and custom settings.  You'll also tackle low light challenges and also how to get photos of the night sky.  For the full list of all that you will learn and the techniques covered, see this Photographic Master Class page here.

Here I am at the expo with Michael, as he explains more about this voucher on offer:

So, if you would like this course, and all the other gear I have up for trade, get in touch and make me an offer!  Call me on +27837302979 or email onematchstick@gmail.com.

Tapsnapp, Photographers and one matchstick

I’m on this matchstick mission to help start-up entrepreneurs. So what better way to take a step forward on my mission than to get some help from one of South Africa’s exciting start-ups!

They’re called Tapsnapp! And they’re headed up by the entrepreneur and photographer (and past onematchstick trader!) Vije Vijendranath. Any start up entrepreneurs could learn a thing or two from Vije and his entrepreneurial journey.

And Tapsnapp is such an exciting opportunity for photographers and those looking for photographers: As a photographer, you can list yourself, your portfolio and dates available for shoots. Then anyone looking for a professional to take photos and video and capture their memories (from weddings to holidays to corporate and anything in between) can search online, by location, availability and budget, and book and pay for a shoot.
Easy peasy.
Kinda like uber for photographers!

My three boxes of gear to get you off the grid are ideal for photographers – especially those hip photographers who use Tapsnapp, as the solar panels and the outdoor stands for cameras would come in handy for outdoor shoots and shoots done on location.

So Vije has invited me to join him and his Tapsnapp Team at their stand at this week’s Photo Plus Africa Expo.

I’ll be showcasing some of the gear from the 3 boxes that I have up for trade – and taking offers right there and then. Maybe - hopefully! - if the offer is right, I’ll make my next trade at the Tapsnapp stand.


So: calling all photographers. And all Videographers!
Come visit Tapsnapp at the Photo Plus Africa Expo this weekend and make me an offer!

I’ll be there on Friday and Saturday (19th and 20th October 2018) from 09h00 to 17h00 at the Gallagher Convention Center.


DETAILS:

Photo Plus Africa Expo -at the Tapsnapp stand.
Venue: Gallagher Convention Center, Johannesburg
Tickets: R100 per day
Tickets available www.photoplus.com
OR buy tickets at the door



Call me to find us on 0837302979
See you soon!
Telana






Bartering in Business

Tamara wrote a great piece for the Gordon Institute of BusinessScience's Magazine, on bartering and how it can  and is – being used in business today.  Check it out here, and especially the bit about Tax!

In my interview with Tamara, she had also asked me what first made me interested in bartering. Well, my earliest memory of bartering was doing an “egg drive” to raise funds for something at primary school.  

I would go to my neighbours and ask them for a donation, or an egg.  If they gave me an egg, I would go the next house and ask them to buy the egg or make a donation of another egg.  And so on, often selling the eggs when I had a half dozen.  And then I would start again asking for one egg.

I also explained how I have used what I learnt from onematchstick in my coaching practice.
For attending my training courses, I’ve bartered with clients cash for covering expenses like printing and venue costs, and then bartered for the persons services for the rest of the training costs.

I have also applied what I learnt when I did what I called “three-ways” to my business.  For an explanation of three-ways see here.

How I applied this was there was a stage a few years ago where I need to upgrade my website for Inner Coaching, and I got a quote from my previous website developers.  

I started saving up for this, and while doing that I also asked my website guys if they would consider bartering for the site (my first ever website I traded coaching for the founder of the company, for my website, so I knew they would be open to bartering).  

They didn’t need any coaching or training at that time, so I asked them what they did need.  They said they wanted a year’s listing on a prominent PR website. 

So I contacted the founder of that PR website, and offered them coaching or training for one of their packages.  They didn’t have a need then either for coaching, and so after asking them what they did need, they said it was their company’s birthday celebrations soon, and they wanted prizes to give away to their readers.  

At that time, Nick who I trade with, the trade of the books for the Strandveld wine, asked me to teach him more about social media, and he’d barter wine for my lessons.  

I convinced him to offer me many cases of Strandveld wine for the lessons and social media consulting, which I then offered to the PR website for their prizes.

They then offered in exchange the year package, which I gave to the website developers, and they in turn gave me a new website for Inner Coaching.  And a 4-way trade was done.  Voila!  

Anyway, check out page 62 in the GIBS Magazine, and let me know if you would use  trading and bartering in your business.  Would you?




Is it time to re-ignite onematchstick?

There have been many twists and turns in my journey of trading a single matchstick up into office space to help startup entrepreneurs, over the last 12 years (yes- over a decade! I cant believe how time has passed).

With my many attempts to get the matchstick burning again, and then circumstances intervening and snuffing out the flame, forcing me to stop again... I've never felt the embers die out totally.


The latest of these bends in my matchstick journey has given me plenty of time to crystallize what we can actually create with the onematchstick office, besides just having a few rooms to work from.  I believe we can use this story and the space it results in, to have a bigger impact on South Africa's startup entrepreneurial landscape.

And so today I have finished my 'concept document' and tonight I start talking to some of the people who have said they were watching and waiting for me... to find out if they are still waiting... and willing to help.

Hopefully this time as I re-ignite my matchstick, I can manage what life throws me AND keep it burning.

#watchthisspace  #Iwillneedhelp #letsgo #sparktime


The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.
- Don Williams Jr

My next step in March for onematchstick

Telana and Barry Mitchell

We had a great turnout for the onematchstick Cashflow Game event on Wednesday! Full house! Such a buzz! Jackson’s looked after us so well! 


And Barry facilitated the learnings during the 3 hours.

Louise said afterwards in an email “I can’t even begin to tell you how yesterday’s session made an impact on the way I think. It was such an awesome morning with Barry.” 

And the comments about how much people’s mindsets around money and business shifted, keep coming back to me. 



If you want to want a chance to learn by playing this game, get in touch with Barry for one of his future Cashflow Game events

Now, for the next step with onematchstick: I need to work on getting my strategy into a pitch on paper, and then I have some follow up meetings to organise.  Especially with Carl!
Carl and Telana


 




The onematchstick Cashflow Game Event with Barry Mitchell

It never ceases to amaze me the magic that comes from the power of intention, mixed with decision, and then action!
  • I have the intention to finish my trades this year and start helping start-up entrepreneurs in the onematchstick office.
  • I decided to dedicate blocks of time in my diary to onematchstick to work on my strategy.
  • And I started taking that action:  Big chunks of my energy and time over the next few months are now dedicated to this project.
And then the magic started happening!


I was at a friend, Tristan’s farewell, and he had said I should speak to his friend in property about onematchstick and that he would connect us that following week.  I was then enjoying standing around the bonfire – Tristan always has a bonfire at his awesome parties – and I ended up striking up a conversation with this exact friend who Tristan wanted to introduce me to.

The conversation somehow ended up with me promising this new contact a game of Cashflow101®, as I have the game at home sitting in the cupboard.... or at least I thought I did.  

A bunch of my friends and I, many years ago, decide to learn about money and finances, and purchased the game, after I met Robert Kiyosaki at one of his events in Johannesburg.  

So, after turning the house upside down over the next few days, I realised that my game has found legs and left the building L

To keep my word, I tracked down Barry Mitchell who has been trained and mentored by Blair Singer (Rich Dad Advisor to Robert Kiyosaki).  After some calls and emails, we have negotiated a trade that has turned out far more exciting than just a game of Cashflow with my new contact.

It has turned into an exclusive event limited to only 20 people to be facilitated by Barry himself! *punchesair*

So, I have already handpicked quite a few of my guests and sent them personal invitations.

If you- as a friend of onematchstick - want to attend, then you will need to email me to apply for a seat at the event, and if I have space I’ll try to accommodate you - but no promises! (better email me soon as seats are getting taken quickly already!) J


Here are the details:


The

CASHFLOW 101 GAME

Join me for a fun-filled, high energy session of business, entrepreneurial and financial learning through playing the Game of Cashflow101®, an experiential board game created by Robert Kiyosaki, author of the Best-Selling book, Rich Dad Poor Dad, and facilitated by the #1 Sales Trainer & Business Coach in Africa, Barry Mitchell.

Date: Wednesday 1st March
Time: 08:00am to 11:00am 
Venue: Jackson's in Bryanston

RSVP Essential, by Friday 24th February, as this is an invite-only exclusive event, limited to 20 interesting friends of onematchtstick.
(Coffee and breakfast for your own account)

ABOUT THIS EVENT
As part of my onematchstick.co.za journey, I have a strategy to get to my final goal of the office to help start-up entrepreneurs.  My next step involves negotiating with a new lead, and that negotiation somehow ended up including playing this game.  That led to me finding Barry and trading with him to offer this exciting exclusive event!  So please accept my invitation, knowing you will learn a lot, meet some fascinating people and be supporting me with my onematchstick trading journey in its final exciting stages!

ABOUT the FACILITATOR: Barry Mitchell
Barry has had over 23 years experience in the Sales Industry during which he has managed, lead and taught 100's of businesses the art of Sales & Leadership. His clients range from R200 million companies, to start-ups and individuals... all with the common goal; The desire to significantly change their business and their lives. Barry works with and is mentored by the world’s top Sales & Leadership trainers Blair Singer. Barry's Sales Explosion workshop has helped thousands of people dramatically increase their sales in short periods of time.

ABOUT THE CASHFLOW GAME 
What do Robert Kiyosaki and his Rich Dad Advisors do to become Rich?

This is a 3-hour event that will give participants an overview and hands-on understanding of what makes rich people richer and poor people poorer by playing Robert Kiyosaki’s Game of Cashflow101.

Are you ready to learn about the 4 ways which could make your financial situation better in 2017?
And are you ready to step up and change the way you have been earning your living?

Barry has trained with Robert Kiyosaki and his team of Rich Dad Advisors and will be sharing their money insights and also practically working with you to teach you how to shift your mindset to think and earn like the Rich, by playing the interactive Robert Kiyosaki’s Game of Cashflow101®.

Some of the insights that Barry will be sharing are:
  • Why being a successful Entrepreneur is more than just making money.
  • The 4 Key Levels to financial learning and which level will create infinite returns.
  • Why only some people will really make it as an Entrepreneur, and what you can do to be one of them.
Invest in yourself. Invest in your future. Invest in onematchstick.

Current Trade: 3 Boxes of Tech for an Off the Grid Lifestyle

As things keep (slowly) unfolding for me for onematchstick, one of the points that came up a few times is that maybe my previous choice of wording to describe my current offer isn’t quite making it clear what I have on offer. 

So here’s my attempt at re-branding this offer:

I traded the WONDERboom private rock concert with Rene and Nina for 3 boxes of gear and gadgets – lots of goodies that will take you off the grid!

Here’s what I’m offering:
(DOWNLOAD a PDF of this item here)


Work and Play off the Grid

Live. Laugh. Love.


That’s a mantra to live by. 

It epitomises the philosophy that we want to live a productive, happy life where relationships are a key part. And today technology has evolved to such an extent that it can enhance our life and relationships. And that’s what this is about.

Would you like a lifestyle that is less reliant on the grid- especially the electricity grid? Would it be valuable for you to move from a rigid, fixed way of working (stuck to a desk with access to plugs) to a flexible, mobile way of living an awesome life (reliant on the sun’s energy)?

That’s what I am offering, a change in your lifestyle – or at least, the chance to have a more flexible lifestyle where you can move around more and not worry about how you will recharge your tech when you need to.

So make me an offer and let’s trade!

Details: 

Imagine this as your day. . .


It’s Friday. You found a new recipe for breakfast. You put on the kitchen’s Jabra Revo Headset and clip your ipad into its cover which is next to your stove, to watch the video of the chef giving directions, to get breakfast on the table for your family.

You change your headset to the Plantronics M25 Bluetooth one set up for your car, and while dropping the kids off at school, you listen to their favourite songs on your iPod, held securely in the Macally mCup car cup holder.

Next you head to your favourite coffee shop, seamlessly taking a few calls in between listening to some podcasts through your smart phone.

Over a latte, you take out your iPad from your cool, super protective STM Linear case which has all your gadgets which enhance your mobile lifestyle.

You flip your iPad on its ori stand, ready to catch up on the news and answer a few emails, using your Macally PenPal stylus.

While finishing your latte, your colleague in London Skypes you, so you whip out your Jabro Revo headset to take the teleconference without inconveniencing others in the café.

You head off to your next meeting, and remembering your laptop battery might be a bit low, you plug it into your PowerGorilla to charge it on the way, and at the same time plugging in your smartphone.

At your meeting, you set up your Logitech V10 notebook speakers with your laptop, ready for your presentation. And while you wait, you answer a few more emails on your iPad ori setup.

You then head to your child’s school for the sports day, and find a tree to sit under and set up your camera on your Joby GorillaPod tripod, on one of the branches, to record the best shots of the memory making sports activities. With your Bluetooth headset you can update your partner who is at work while taking a few photos.

The next morning you’re off on your early training run, using your heart rate monitor with your phone in your fantastic Runtastic armband, which fits snuggly on your upper arm.

You pack the car and set up an educational video to entertain your children, with your iPad ori stand, and giving each child a Jabra Revo headset.

You’ve changed to your Platronics wireless earbuds to hear Google maps giving you directions to your weekend getaway destination.

You get to catch a late afternoon mountain bike ride with the family, with your go pro camera attached to your bike handlebars with its Joby GorillaPod.

For a perfect sunset self portrait of the family, you set up your camera on its Joby GorillaMobile, balanced safely on a rock.

As you set up camp, you use the Joby Gorilla Torch wrapped around a branch for light, and charge your phone and tablet with your Powermonkey Explorer.

You gaze at the stars, and finding your phone in its luminous case, you use an app to help name the constellations you see, knowing that your phone and all your devices are protected in their funky protective cases from the rough terrain.

Later, around the campfire, you reflect on how movement, adventure and exploration is a part of your and your family’s lifestyle, and how being mobile makes is more possible and enjoyable...
And that was just describing two days!

What I’m offering:

An "Off the Grid" Lifestyle.

Change your stagnant, office-bound life for a more mobile, flexible lifestyle with these three bundles of gadgets (all tech in the photo above!). 
(I’ll even throw in a Breakthrough Coaching session if you need a change in Mindset too!)

1. The Mobile Office 

This bundle has everything you need for a virtual office that goes where you go, because your office is wherever you are. If you want to work from your home, a café, a mountain top, the airport, your car, or any other moving target, then these accessories are for you. It includes covers for smartphones and stands for iPads, a dualsync cable, stylus pens, car cup holder mount, tripods and stands for phones and cameras for teleconferencing, notebook speakers, Bluetooth headset, adapter lightning to USB cable and 7 port USB hub. Plus the awesome PowerGorilla solar panel for all your charging needs, and Jabro Revo headset. Carry it all in a STM bag.

2. The Outdoor Enthusiast 

Get active and adventurous with these accessories, including more hardy phone cases, keysync cable as your key ring, more tripods and stands, wireless earbuds, Runtastic heart rate monitor and armband. Also a Powermonkey Explorer solar panel for outdoor charging of your devices, and another Jabro headset. Plus a STM sleeve to keep your tablet safe.

** NEW ADDITION:  Michael Tucker donated a Wildlife Photography Master Class for whoever I trade with- read more here **

3. The Night Time Warrior

From the glow in the dark iPhone case and docking stand, to the Joby Gorilla torch, you’re even set for night time explorations. A mini Gorilla solar panel to power up devices, another stylus pen, Bluetooth headset and a magnetic tripod, amongst more covers, cables, and another Jabra headset too. As well as another STM sleeve to keep your tablet safe.

Brands include:

  • Ori for iPad
  • Macally stylus pens, cables, holders and hubs
  • Joby Gorilla tripods and stands
  • Logitech Speakers
  • Sketch covers for smartphones and tablets
  • Plantronics Bluetooth headsets
  • Power Traveller solar panel charging devices
  • Dodo cases
  • Ce-Link cables
  • Jabra headsets
  • STM bags
  • Runtastic heart rate monitor and armband
  • Big5Photo.com Voucher

What’s excluded: 

All you need to do is add the following for your Off the Grid Lifestyle to be complete:
  • Your Smartphone, tablet and laptop
  • Your internet connection
  • Your adventurous and free spirit

Next Step:

So to have your Off the Grid Lifestyle, make me an offer!

What would you trade with me for having the active, on-the-go, adventure seeking and professional lifestyle you dream of, where you get to work and play, spend time with loved ones and make those big deals?

Get in touch with me and let’s chat. I’ll then give you all the specifics on the tech that will move with your pace of life, and we can work out a deal… on-the-go… wherever you and I are.  
(DOWNLOAD a PDF of this item here)

Call me on 0837302979 or email onematchstick@gmail.com

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