Big Dreams in the Big City: How to Make it as an Entrepreneur

Any big city can be overwhelming with all its hustle and bustle, but it’s also brimming with opportunity if you know where to look, and San Antonio is no exception! If you’ve always dreamed of becoming your own boss and running your own business, there’s no better place than San Antonio to make it happen.?But you’ll want to be smart about it — this city is filled with bright, ambitious people just like you, so it can be tough to catch the eyes of potential customers and clients.

Passion Doesn't Always Translate to Success

Many of us are passionate human beings, but passion doesn't always equal success. Many small businesses start from a passion but don't always survive beyond year three.?The unfortunate truth is that less than half of every 1,000 businesses that begin each year will remain open after five years.?If you have what it takes to stick around long-term, there are ways to keep your business alive and thriving.?

Do Your Research

As with any new venture, you'll need to do your research. San Antonio offers many programs for small businesses and startups. Before you start, look into all offered resources. If a program exists that can help your business grow, there's no reason not to take advantage of what's available. There are also many networking opportunities for entrepreneurs in the city. Organizations like Young Professionals of San Antonio hold events monthly to bring together people who share similar goals and interests. Geekdom is a top-tier innovative co-working space in downtown San Antonio that provides office space, conference rooms, event spaces, meeting rooms, and more. Launch SA and LiftFund are two organizations in San Antonio that provide seed capital and mentorship to promising startups to help them succeed. Maestro Entrepreneurial Center and, of course, our very own Emerge and Rise - Business Incubator are great places to get support and guidance when starting a business. The newly opened Capital Factory at the Tech Port Arena + Center. These places offer great value by giving access to mentorships, conferences, workshops, and other tools entrepreneurs need to get their ideas off the ground or make their dreams come true! Some other helpful organizations are the City of San Antonio Economic Development Department, Alamo Colleges – Economic & Workforce Development: Corporate College, South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (SCTRCA), and UTSA Small Business Development Center. With these programs readily available, starting a business has never been easier than it is now.?

Get a Mentor

A mentor can provide valuable advice and experience to help your business. Mentors often have a wealth of knowledge about what has worked for them and can offer insights on how you should approach certain aspects of your business. The best part is mentors are often willing to take on mentees for free or at a reduced rate. So be sure to ask if they would be interested! One of the best mentor programs is Be San Antonio, offered by the City of San Antonio, offering the Business Empowerment Plan program in two phases. And finally, don't be afraid to reach out to people you don't know. Asking someone for their opinion doesn't always come across as offensive. Looking for help, guidance, and resources should be your number one priority when starting out.

Network

The best way to make connections and get involved with entrepreneurial communities is by attending local events and conferences. Networking will help you find mentors, investors, employees, partners, vendors, and customers - all of which can help your business grow. Be sure to attend events that cater specifically to your niche so you can hone in on your goal. Start with your local Chamber of Commerce, Eventbrite, MeetUp, and sign up for the SABusinessCalendar. Join an association that aligns with your goal; we have many of those in San Antonio. Lastly, you can always volunteer with a nonprofit of your choice and meet amazing people like you.

Be Persistent

In order to be successful, you must have a strong work ethic and persistence. You will not get anywhere without dedication. It is important that you work hard and never give up. Do not let your failures discourage you, instead, use them as motivation for improvement. If you do not know where to start or what to do, then find someone who does. Find mentors in your field of interest and learn from their experiences. San Antonio is full of people who are involved and want to give back. There are many who want to help you succeed!

Have a Positive Attitude

A positive attitude is essential for success! There will be many obstacles and setbacks along the way, but you can only control your reaction to them. Learn from them, work hard, and don't stop trying. It's also important not to compare yourself or your business with others - this will only lead you down a path of negativity. You'll never succeed if you're always looking at what other people are doing instead of focusing on yourself and your goals.