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I mean, the way we are brought up, the way we have socialized, does tell us whether certain ideas and perspectives we have are acceptable or not, so it has a huge influence on us. I think it would be unfair to think that a working mom in Germany, for instance, or in the Western part of Europe has the same conditions and the same starting points as maybe a working mom in Africa or in the United States or in the Arab countries.
So I do think that those elements condition us, they put a lot of beliefs in us as well, that over time we may or may not choose to challenge and question. So we cannot ignore that we are socialized and influenced by the culture that we grew up in, that we go to school, that we work in, maybe as an employee before we start to choose our own business. And also the way how family life is being perceived or what is considered acceptable or the norm. So I think this is the first thing that discover and recognize that it just is what it is: everybody has their own upbringing, and everybody has their own way of looking at the world.
And I think this is the strength we should also build upon and understand that whatever we apply in business, however we look at this world, whatever criteria and qualities and norms apply to our lives, that they are part of us and they are just uniquely us. And it is totally fine to apply nuances, otherwise it’ll be boring. You know, why should I see the world like anybody else? And the other way around. So as much as culture shapes us, I think it also gives us amazing opportunities to apply what we are very, very good at and apply it to any circumstances and export it even.
So if we choose to change cultures, to change countries or societies that we live in and operate in, still it gives us this general basic understanding that around the world being a nurturing force, being somebody who encourages others to do good, encourages others to learn, feeds you in a metaphoric way, is a great asset and is powerful and is certainly very much needed in this world, especially nowadays. So as much as it changes and shapes us and gives us different perspectives of the world, there is a lot of things about culture that we can all uniquely apply and universally apply. And I think this is the force we should bring to the business and also bring to our family lives.
So certainly the way how you live and the city that you’re in, or the general kind of surrounding, certainly shapes and influences. Sometimes you will find environments where you have access to a lot of resources, to a lot of people, to a lot of ideas and you just get inspired and it fuels your way of looking at the world. Equally if you have enough resources to travel, so you can afford to go elsewhere and you can immerse yourself into other cities, into other places, it certainly shapes a lot of your thinking. And you might take it even back into the smallest village, somewhere on the mountain, but you are bringing the world into your place.
So does it influence where we grow up and where we choose to settle and put our business? Yes, it does. At the same time, we are extremely connected, we are in a digitized world. Everybody can have access, if they choose, to everything. So I wouldn’t limit myself by thinking “Oh, I’m just in a small town. This business doesn’t resonate here. I can’t find enough clients to pay my mortgage or my bills”. I would twist it and I would say, “How could I access those people despite the fact that I’m in a small town and I don’t have my physical buyers here with me right the next door?”. And maybe it’s the channel that you should change, but not the business that you should change.
So I think it’s more of those questions that: do the cities and places that we are in shape us? Absolutely. Do they inspire us? Yes, they do. Do they also limit us? Yes, at times they do. But at the same time, I would say the limitations are in your head because if you don’t let any other inspiration and any other influx of ideas come in to you, then obviously you will only get what you get. But the minute you can start using technology or maybe other people’s ideas, or if you have an opportunity to travel, then please do.
But also look through the eyes of your children, look through the eyes of your family members, look how they view the world. And maybe there is something in there that you can really expand upon regardless of the size of your town or your city or your neighborhood. Take this inner richness and put it to the world and then just find the matching markets and find the right channels to actually address it. But don’t shy away from, you know, thinking you’re in the wrong place, I don’t think that exists.
