We’ve surveyed advice from across the web for the top five tips for budding entrepreneurs! Read on…
Take risks!
Got an idea? Don’t wait for permission or validation, test it out, try it out, and see how you go. You have to take action to get traction, and that’s one of the most exciting parts about being an entrepreneur, taking risks and reaping the rewards when those risks work out.
“I knew that if I failed I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.”
Jeff Bezos
Network, network, followed by more networking!
Network up, network down, network all around! Not only can networking connect you with potential mentors to learn from, but it can build your future customer base, your future team and your future opportunities. You will always have more knowledge and experience than others, allowing you to share that knowledge and experience and become a leader in your space, but you will always have less knowledge and experience than others as well, allowing you the opportunity to learn from the current leaders in your space.
Listen!
Listen to everyone. To your clients, customers, staff, friends, network… The list goes on! Assuming what your customer needs or wants are will never create success, so it’s best to ask them what they need and listen attentively so that you can solve their problems, etc.
Believe in listening 80% of the time, clarifying 10% of the time, and responding wholeheartedly and intentionally, is the remaining 10% of the time.
Stephynie Malik, ChiqueSpeak
Be a brand.
Being a brand as an entrepreneur is your only real security, so it’s important to create your own personal brand that your customers can relate to and trust.
Once you become a brand, the work never stops. And if you truly love your legacy and respect it, it’ll be the best decision you ever make.
Gary Vaynerchuk
Learn!
As an entrepreneur, you should be learning something new everyday. The opportunity and ability to learn is an asset, so take time each day to ready blogs, magazines, articles, newspapers, books, etc., anything that you can learn from and everything that’s related to your business. Not only should you commit to learning, but you should encourage your staff to as well.
The best leaders learn with a team. An old proverb teaches that where there are many advisors, there is much success.
Ken Gosnell, CXP – CEO Experience
BONUS TIP
Get yourself plenty of coffee, there is a lot of work to be done!