Zambian-born Aaron Mashano moved to Australia in 2001 to study English, law and commerce. It was developed to help young migrants in prison, which led him to build his business in the education of people to turn their passion into profits. In 2012, he moved his headquarters to Bali and wrote his books, Economic Migrant and Seeds Tree Wawa - 11 African Short Stories . We talk to Aaron for more information about its business consulting, workshops, passion and how Bali was chosen.
Where are you now?
I live in Canggu, but will probably be taken Sanur my base soon. My business model works around partnerships with co-working spaces because I get ideal customers with the seed to start and monetize their passion. It is also a great community space, so you find people are a little more relaxed. Sanur is a place called Kumpul, which is a creative house called Rumah Sanur. It is the first space of co-work I have found that a 50-50 split between expatriates and Indonesians, which is fine for me.
What led you to continue the work you do now?
I'm a humanitarian at heart and work in the field of business, I did not really see the impact with individuals and communities. So I started branching out into social enterprises to the side and found that I am more passionate about it.
How was born leaders of tomorrow?
When my son was born, I started to question my behavior, actions and my role in life. "Am I here to look good or am I here to make a difference for future generations? I thought I wanted my life to mean something. I knew I wanted to become a coach or a writer or speaker, but I never thought I could do it. In 2012, I set up a company with a stupid name that I feel responsible and I really do my best costume for my son to follow.
Tell us about the work you did in juvenile prisons.
I started working with juveniles in prison, teach them life skills, communication and confidence building. Much of the community of African migrants were to end up in prison because of identity issues, refugees and immigrants face. We started to get really good results and I had a real addiction to help young people find opportunities.
Was it difficult for you as a migrant in Australia?
I am an eternal optimist, but it is probably one of the hardest things I've done, especially with the language barrier. As an African black man trying to find his feet in Australia, I think I got lost trying to become someone that I thought I should be. I ended up being one of the best players in interview settings and job but I was not getting picked. I had to work 10 times harder to do the work I did, and I found myself in the middle management in the year because of my work ethic. Australia opened the world to me and after six years, I got my permanent resident status and the sky was the limit.
What attracted you to develop tomorrow's leaders in Bali?
Is Bali welcomes you with open arms?
I'll put it this way, I went to Australia for 15 years and I asked Bali home to about a month after moving. It just resonates with me.
Tell us about your workshops Bali.
I started my first "Passion 2 Profit" workshop in Bali in August 2014, I lead every quarter in Sanur. I look for people who have a talent or passion and want to create a business around it. Our workshops operate for six hours and help us to identify people's passion, refine their skills and monetization means to start a business.
How many people do you have in your workshops
A maximum of 50 ?; I used to take 400, which would be better for a speech, I'm interested in pursuing in Jakarta.
What happens after each workshop? Describe your consulting business.
Because I have a more personal approach, I try to know the people who join my workshops, find out what their basic needs are. 80 percent of those who attend are probably not suitable for my consulting services to post-workshop businesses. If you go with me, you can either buy a book, studying online, or I take a few people on a personal consultation where we talk once a month. For the latter option, you must be really ready. By the third month, you should have your business up-and-running and sixth months, you should make a profit.
How many people "do" with you?
A majority of them eventually do, which is why I can not take 20 percent of the room at one point.
What are the traits of a successful person do you notice in your workshops?
Jim Rohn, my favorite of all time mentor said: "If you really want something you find a way. If you do not, you find an excuse. "
When people do not show up in my studio, chances are they are not in this group of 20 percent. In the workshop, we play games oriented around the intake action and I think at the end of the six hours, 20 percent have played most of the game and play the competition. If you think about it in the business world, if you are not there hustling you will not build a business. If you hustle in a safe environment with a small amount of risk, you're not likely to rush to a higher level with a lot of risks, and sharks in the market place. in half of the workshop, I cherry-picked and who is most likely to be someone I would like to work with their advisor in personal affairs.
Tell us about the different workshops you have to offer and how much they cost to join.
'Passion 2 Profit "is smaller and focused on' Business Blitz 'is for local businesses, where people require specific advice on specific problems. 'Passion 2 Profit' cost Rp.350,000 but if it is a co-working space where you are a member, then it's Rp.250,000. 'Business Blitz' is Rp.150,000. Both workshops for
six.
Have you noticed any differences in approach between business people and Indonesian expatriates in your workshops?
I find Indonesian and Balinese to be very simple. They know exactly what their business is and what it is not. Usually they are very focused on sales. With the expatriate community, the business must be simple but I spend more time trying to simplify what goes on in their minds. They worry about how they are going to make a million dollars to worry about what the government thinks, so we do not get the business started. Expatriates are also a lot of perfection, while the Indonesian market want to get the product out there and refine as they go. The most practical way, Indonesian entrepreneur is probably best suited for business because this business is.
What's next for you?
December 5, 2015 will be my last workshop in Bali and I plan to do something in Jakarta before. Next year I will launch in San Francisco, Amsterdam and Africa. I am also creating an e-business suite, which will allow my clients administrative online marketing campaigns and services, so they can focus more on building their businesses.
Thank you, Aaron. To contact, e-mail: ceo@lotprofit.com