WHAT MAKES AN ENTREPRENEUR?

I didn't come from a history of entrepreneurism, my parents believed in working at a job faithfully, then retiring on the pension your employers gave you and making that do. There's nothing wrong with that. In doing so they were able to raise families, help their grandchildren, and have a modest living that would sustain them in the sunshine years.

So where did I get this insane longing to break the mold?

I've been longing to build dreams, big and small, and this longing has become a relentless worm in my belly. As I've begun to explore my ideas, I sometimes meet other dreamers, who are all looking for ways to make their ideas become reality. Quite often (and quite mistakenly), they often presume I have the resources to help them fulfill their dreams, free of charge.

Like I said, I have no great history as an entrepreneur, but if I could share a few tips with the person who wants to be one, I would say this:

1. Everyone you meet is not an opportunity. Quit looking at the person who takes a casual interest in your idea as someone who is interested in funding it or giving you free labor. Sometimes the listener is just being kind, or just wants to learn about what you are doing without any added pressure. Receive their interest as a benefit and leave it at that.


2. Do your homework. If you wanted to be a carpenter you would go learn carpentry. It's the same with the business you want to be in, so get the training and put in some work.

3. If you don't have resources there's no point trying to get it from others who don't have anything either. It doesn't take a genius to see that your ROI (return on investment - it's the hip new business term but basically it means success rate) will be low.

4. Don't expect to start at the top. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are most businesses.

5. Believe in your vision. If you're not sure about it why would anyone else support you?

6. Get lots of advice from people who've done it already. Learn from their mistakes, get their tips on what worked. It may save you a lot of pain.

7. Have a trusted advisor, preferably more than one, who you trust to tell you if that next step you're about to take is a dumb one.

8. Prepare for hard times - find a way (a legal one) to make sure you can eat and keep a roof over your head while you're building that dream. Childbirth is tough, so is giving life to a business idea. No one loves a moocher. Don't take advantage of your friends and their kindness - it's not their job to support you.

9. Join a community of like-minded people. The information exchange will be priceless.

10. Avoid over-sharing. Not everyone wants to know what you're doing, and not everyone will wish you well. Be strategic in your disclosures. Your supporters will encourage and give you good advice, your detractors will always be your detractors.