A 6-step pivot guide, how Hadari Oshri moved from fashion to moving containers

A 6-step pivot guide, how Hadari Oshri moved from fashion to moving containers


Change is the one thing you can count on. But that does not mean change will be easy. In the
last year, we have all seen the world change in fundamental ways. Some businesses are
thriving, and some have failed to survive the dramatic changes brought on by a global
pandemic. Though we all want to believe that we will be back to “normal” soon, it’s important to
be ready for the next dramatic change and to be as prepared as possible to pivot accordingly.
Who better to learn from, than someone who has been successful at pivoting their business
multiple times before and after the pandemic. Meet serial entrepreneur Hadari Oshri. With a
background in buying and selling containers of fast fashion excess inventory, Hadari has pivoted
to helping hospitals and other organizations acquire much-needed medical supplies and
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from suppliers around the world.
Virtually sitting down with Hadari, I asked her some questions to better understand her
experiences in pivoting careers. Hadari shared the six steps that she goes through to navigate
business change. Use them as a guide for your next big professional pivot.
Step 1: Realize you need to pivot and accept the change
Hadari’s life has been full of changes, starting with moving to the U.S.A. from Israel. When she
first arrived, she opened seven fashion retail stores, including sought-out locations such as
Beverly Hills and Century City. However, she eventually had to shut them down. She pivoted
into the shoe industry, then to fast fashion, then to investing, then back to plus sized fashion,
and now into import and exports. In each of these pivots, she said that the first step was
realizing that she needed to make a change. For fashion, due to slim margins, she understood
that it limited her ability scale financially. When the pandemic hit, she saw an opportunity to sell
PPE. But in all of her pivots, accepting the need for change came first. “It’s not easy to detach
your emotions from something you have built,” Hadari said. “But it gets easier once you realize
you have to make a move.”
Step 2: Be open to any kind of opportunity in any kind of space
“Change can put blinders on you without even knowing,” Hadari explained. This is why she
shared that step two is to be open to any and all opportunities when pivoting. The word pivot
means to change direction, and in reference to a business or your career, means that you are
turning all previous efforts and working toward something else. The definition does not share
which direction the pivot will be in, and Hadari stresses the importance of this. When she knows
a pivot is necessary, she reminds herself that she should not try and limit the various directions
that she can turn her focus to. Doing so, will keep you open minded, and this will naturally lead
to more opportunities. She suggests focusing on things like income potential, market demand,
and trends, so that you can pivot to an industry that has room for growth.
Step 3: Do not be afraid of the downtime in the transition process
When I asked Hadari about the timing between her pivots, she laughed and said, “The amount
of time it takes to pivot is instant, but there is no telling the amount of time to find your new
direction.” She stressed the importance of not being distracted or unmotivated during the
downtime that will occur as you go through change. In order to stay active in the efforts needed
to move in entirely new directions, she has found that meditation, walking, and soul searching,
are key to helping her stay motivated during the pivot process. She said that opportunities do
not show up on your doorstep, which is why it’s so important to push every day to find them.
Step 4: Network to attract the people you want to be involved with
In order to ensure a successful pivot, Hadari shared that more important than any opportunity,
are the people who are willing to help you find the right opportunity. She told me that the way to
attract the right people is through existing relationships. In the pivot process, you can’t be
scared of asking for introductions from people already in your network. Manifestation of meeting
those who she wants to be introduced to, has helped Hadari land valuable connections. She
puts her heart and soul into each new promising new contact, bringing an open mind to the
relationship. She said that the best way to let people know how they can help, is to be direct and
to the point. And this is why it is so important to be honest and upfront about your intentions, so
that you don’t waste your time, or the time of those who you are connecting with.
Step 5: Be specific about the money that you want to make
The reality is that not all options where you can pivot, will have the same earning potential.
When Hadari makes moves, she is not looking for a step down, or even a step horizontally. With
change, she sees the real opportunity of leveling up. She gets super clear on her income goals,
and shoots for the moon. She sees each pivot as a way to not only change direction, but to also
head in a direction that will allow her to expand further than her past role. Her latest pivot to
import and exports shows this as a clear example. Using her existing global connections in
trade, she is taking advantage of the global demand for PPE goods. For the time being, this
market segment is booming, and Hadari knows it. When the pandemic settles, you can bet
Hadari will be looking to pivot again, to an industry with even more growth. On this topic, Hadari
told me, “If you are going to make a change, you might as well aim to change your income
potential at the same time.”
Step 6: Jump in and fake it till you make it
No matter what direction your pivot points you to, Hadari says that it is crucial to jump in, act the
part, and start making things happen. Don’t sit back. Get up and get going. Start making moves
and work towards transactions. Learn all you can, ask for help, and don’t be afraid to make
mistakes. Find out who the experts are in the field and get acquainted with their history. Read
books, take classes, attend workshops, and go to industry conferences. Join groups on social
media and start learning by taking action. Hadari is a mover and shaker, and she says that the
initial hustle that you show right out of the gates in a new gig will set the tone for your reputation.
Doing so, will help you get recognized, will help you make new connections faster, and will get
you up to speed faster.
So whether you are forced to pivot, or are curious to make a new move, use these six steps as
a guide to make sure you are prepared for what comes with change. Be mentally ready for it,
open for new paths, don’t be discouraged by downtime, attract the right people, and get specific
on your goals. Once you make your move, get going and don’t look back! If you want to connect
with Hadari, find her on LinkedIn, and add one more valuable connection to your network. Who
knows, when you need a change, she might be able to help!

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