March 8, 2024
From this inspiring quote, I began to imagine the beautiful transformation from seeds to trees…
Seeds become seedlings, then saplings, eventually evolving into thriving plants, and in some cases mighty trees!
Then I realized that my passion for storytelling had also evolved from a tiny seed planted in my mind a few years ago.
Seeds were planted in my mind in 2006 in Luxembourg.
I was pregnant with our child and craving Malian flavors like hibiscus (also called bissap), ginger, and baobab drinks. While my husband and I could finally find these drinks in a supermarket, they lacked the authentic Malian flavor I longed for. That’s when a seed was planted in my head, and I began to contemplate the possibility of producing and sharing these drinks by commercializing them myself, ensuring they capture the true taste of Mali.
Seedlings started to see the light in 2012 in Antwerp.
I was ready to start my little business producing and commercializing the Malian drinks in Antwerp, with a second child on the way. It was a drastic change for my family, as our small kitchen in an apartment was suddenly transformed into a certified production place with pots, bottles, labels….
My seedlings became saplings as my homemade drinks evolved into certified organic products.
After overcoming various challenges with moments of both tears and joys, my homemade Malian drinks evolved into certified organic products sold in Antwerp, Brussels, and Wallonia…
Saplings grew into a young plant while organizing tastings in shops, attending markets and fairs.
I organized tastings in shops, and was present at local and organic markets and fairs in Antwerp, as well as in other cities in Belgium and occasionally in the Netherlands. Without realizing it, my saplings were turning into a plant. I had discovered something new about myself. While standing at various markets and fairs in Belgium and the Netherlands, engaging with visitors, I realized my natural affinity for storytelling. Sharing anecdotes, and encouraging connections among strangers across my stands had awakened this passion for storytelling within me.
Suddenly, the Covid pandemic began, forcing everyone and most businesses to take a break.
As time passed, I noticed that I was actually enjoying the pause, as it allowed my young plant to grow into a small tree; It was so beautiful, and I didn’t want to lose it. My passion for storytelling was getting bigger and bigger.
So, I dedicated myself to finding a safe place for my little tree and this beautiful passion to thrive forever. From empowering books to TED talks on YouTube, I eventually attended TEDx Antwerp one night. There, I met an amazing woman who introduced me to Toastmasters Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
I immediately felt that Toastmasters Port of Antwerp-Bruges was the best environment for my little tree to grow organically—a place where I felt safe and empowered to pursue my love for storytelling and connecting with people. The positive and constructive feedback from my fellow Toastmasters allows me to make mistakes and learn from them, helping me discover more about myself.
My current goal is to connect people through storytelling. I envision my little tree evolving into a mighty Baobab tree, gathering individuals from diverse backgrounds. Under its shades people will inspire each other with their differences, discover surprising similarities.
This post is dedicated to the International women’s day, to all women around the world. Open up to those little seeds that might be wandering in your mind, accept them, say yes to them, because you never know what beautiful surprises they might evolve into.
A related post is also available on LinkedIn.
