Two years ago I got an unexpected call from an Intermediary Organization of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Programme (which surprisingly enough I had never heard about) and managed to arrange an online meeting with Slovene entrepreneur Urška Merljak. 

I remember feeling quite surprised that I was proposed to host this new entrepreneur and wondered whether I was up for it. A sense of responsibility and duty came over me and reminded me how important it has always been for me to have a "mentor” someone I could learn from and grow with.I was an Erasmus student back in 1998/1999 and Urška somehow reminded me of myself a couple of years back but in a more mature version. I quickly realised this was to work both ways!

It was a great opportunity for me too and for my business. Having hosted Urška as a New Entrepreneur was an outstanding experience and I can say it has changed both our lives forever. We have both contributed to each other’s growth as business professionals as women entrepreneurs and as human beings. Being a Host Entrepreneur meant taking on a big responsibility and sometimes being overwhelmed with the new entrepreneur needs and ways but learning to work based on mutual respect and admiration allowed us to straighten our professional relationship and watch it grow into a beautiful friendship that we hope will last for all time. We were even awarded a Diploma of Achievement to acknowledge the successful completion and exemplary execution of the business exchange from my IO – The British-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce as well as a member certificate for the Chamber.

I believe business achievements are only a sustainable reality when they based on trust and through this programme we both learned to live this value even more. Trust in ourselves trust in others and trust in the Universe. Through the experiences we had in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs I learned a number of things such as: to give without expecting anything in return to be more accepting as a person a leader and a professional to be humbler and more grateful fr things and events that are part of life to stay connected to my essence and my dreams and so much more. With Urška and her knowledge and interest I also learned to work more with the wisdom of the body and to reconnect with my African roots (I was born in Mozambique).rnAs a result my business gained a deeper level of meaning.