4 Life Lessons that I learned from My Entrepreneurship

I have always enjoyed hearing and reading about other people’s success stories. Even when I was just an accounting professional working in corporate, I loved watching other departments doing their work and studying them intently. They opened me up to places I had yet to discover and showed me where I could fit myself in if I were to start my own business.

 

1. Searching & Keep Learning -  Even today, I can spend hours at a time on Google searching for what I can learn from other entrepreneurs by zooming in and out of situations I face as a businesswoman from different angles. Learning is an important part of the journey, and knowing the facts by doing some research could save you from having to learn the lessons the hard way. That is part of being prepared.

2. Journey is a bumpy road - When you let go of your corporate job, you are out of your comfort zone already. Sometimes you may find that you have great ideas but you don’t receive positive feedback from the market or clients. You want to explore that further, but find out that the challenges facing you are not small at all. Businesses do have ups and downs and you find that things just don’t turn out as expected most of the time. What do all these things tell you? You just have to understand that entrepreneurship is a journey, and it can be bumpy. It has its hills, mountains, and rivers to conquer. All you can do is put on your boots and trudge on.

3. Nothing will come overnight - It is not uncommon to see start-up entrepreneurs work seven-day weeks trying to get through all these challenges. When I first started my company in 2008, working overnight at my business was not uncommon. But as time went by, I realized that status and results take time to build. You just cannot wait for perfection before you make the next move. You need to keep going with what you have; gain the wisdom and experience; grow your network; and learn all the who’s, what’s, where’s, when’s, and why’s. Keep in mind that founding a startup is a long road; there will be lots of things to learn and to experience.

4. Don't just day dreaming - Get Started. You will need strength and courage to excel. Most importantly, you need to get started. It all starts with the first step and the longer you postpone taking that step, the harder it becomes to make it. This is why so many people who dream of being entrepreneurs never leave their jobs – they’re too afraid to take the leap. You will be afraid, but do not let that fear overpower you. There is never a dull day in the entrepreneur’s life. Sure, there will be days that run smoothly, but they will not be dull if what you are doing is also what you are passionate about. You will see sides of people, places, and business that you may not have imagined before.

Success Story - Mike Balitsaris 

Mike Balitsaris was left without shoes on a trip in Nicaragua. Mike’s shoes were taken by the current while he was crossing a river during a rain storm, and as a result he had to put together a pair of sandals from an extra travel bag. The concept he designed turned into his very own footwear brand, the Waltzing Matilda, which offers different types of sandals. If Mike hadn’t gone on the journey, letting it inspire his entrepreneurial spirit, and take him on a new journey in business and fashion; he may never have known what could have been.

 

In order to go on this journey, you need to expose yourself to it and get going. Some of us may have maps and plans for where we’re going; but for most of us, we only know what the destination is and not necessarily how to get there – the map will be drawn as we go along, so bring an eraser so we can make corrections. We also don’t know what to expect so come prepared with your gear, sense of exploration, and positive outlook.
Does it sound scary? Do you still want to come? Or would you rather stay at home, and work every day to build someone else’s dream and not your own? If you’re still curious, join me. We’re in for an adventure of a lifetime (and it may just take that long)!

 

Enjoy the journey of being your own boss. Find the time to relax, and reflect. Every phase that you go through is a part of your life and experience that you should treasure.