Three Things That Powerfully Impact an Entrepreneur’s Success
Entrepreneurship is a career path chosen by many, but few succeed. Why? What helps ensure success for those who seek it?
I was recently reminded of three powerful ideas that can significantly improve the odds of turning your entrepreneurial venture into a success.
Turning Your Ideas Into Reality
I was recently asked to participate in a panel discussion as part of National Entrepreneur Week. In an event hosted by Microsoft, I was asked to share some of my personal experiences and things I’ve learned as COO and co-founder of Chargebacks911.
It was an honor to speak alongside other local business owners who were also eager to share tips and insight about the entrepreneurial journey.
Microsoft’s efforts to celebrate and encourage leaders of tomorrow inspired me to reflect on some of the things I’ve personally found to be most beneficial to business success.
1. Seek expert counsel.
Experts Monica Eaton, Aakash M. Patel and Rachel Carpenter
Rachel Carpenter, co-founder and president of Intrinio, was one of the speakers at the Microsoft event last week.Rachel’s company brings revolutionary changes to the financial industry by enabling affordable, multi-platform data analysis. Intrinio obviously serves investors and developers, but also students and entrepreneurs.
Aakash M. Patel, president and founder of Elevate, Inc., was also a panel participant. Aakash’s company is a business development consulting firm, providing a multitude of strategic services. Aakash has built his career by honing his unique leadership and networking abilities and transferring those skills to up-and-comers.
Microsoft leaders who were in attendance rounded out the experience with their years of professional expertise and insight.
And all this was offered for free.
Entrepreneurial success is significantly impacted by the sound teaching provided by others who have ventured down this path before us. Microsoft is a company that firmly believes in supporting and equipping those who are eager to make their dreams a reality, as made evident by their effort to bring insight to future leaders.
Every startup hopeful in the Tampa Bay area—and beyond!—should have come flocking to this event.
I can look back on my own career and pinpoint several instances where I let project management become so focused that I ignored the advice provided to me by others. Instead, I should have let those people help when they offered.
Not only should entrepreneurs accept advice from others, they should also actively seek out expert counsel.
Mentors, blogs, books, classes, conferences, lectures, social media—the opportunities are endless. Create a support system that is willing to encourage and advise you.
2. Adapt to changes.
In addition to the educational panel discussion, last week’s event also highlighted what Microsoft does best: adapt to consumer demands and create innovative technologies.
Microsoft experts graciously provided interactive demos for several products that enhance the entrepreneurial lifestyle. It’s amazing to see how far these technological advancements have come in the last few years and the future potential we’ll all benefit from.
I was reminded again of the vital role technology now plays in our careers. Whether you like it or not, entrepreneurial success depends on your adaptability and willingness to embrace these trends.
Those who are determined to hang on to their old ways of doing things and rely on static solutions will find themselves falling behind the competition—or failing to survive at all.
We live in a dynamic world and nowhere is adaptability more important than the workforce.
3. Have the right attitude.
One of the topics of discussion during the Microsoft event was the things we wished we’d known when we started. A careful look at the history of all three presenters—and any other successful entrepreneur—would reveal challenges, mistakes, and obstacles.
However, you’d also find one other universal characteristic: a can-do attitude.
Entrepreneurial success doesn’t just magically happen overnight. And it isn’t easy. Those who have succeed have learned perseverance, dedication, and hard work are often times more valuable than traditional business acumen.
The right attitude will take you farther than you could have possibly imagined.
How Will You Encourage Success?
There are several things you can do to increase the odds of entrepreneurial success, but these three essentials are the foundation for all other strategies.
Accept advice when others are willing to give it. Adapt and evolve to stay competitive. Believe you can persevere through anything.
That’s all you need to succeed.
