The Dance of Entrepreneurship: Purpose, Passion, and Trust
How many things make you smile from ear to ear? For me, it’s seeing people fully engaged in something they care deeply about, pouring their energy into a passion, and giving it their absolute best ??. That feeling reminds me so much of founding and growing a business. It’s a journey full of moments that make you light up ??—just like watching the new season of Strictly Come Dancing has done for me this year.
There's something special about Strictly?? that parallels the #entrepreneurial journey. The people, the energy, the fun, the hard work, the trust—these elements exist not just in dance but in the heart of every entrepreneur's mission. Founding a business is a bit like learning to dance. There’s a purpose behind every step, a rhythm that builds over time, and a drive to master something new, even when the challenges feel overwhelming.
At its core, entrepreneurship is about #purpose. Whether it's learning to dance or building a company, you have a goal—a north star ?? that drives you. For founders, it’s not just about making money; it's about creating value, solving problems, and leaving a lasting mark. The purpose defines everything, from the name you give your #brand to the values that guide your decisions. It’s the anchor ?that keeps you grounded during the hard times and the light that draws people to follow your vision. A purpose that should also be reflected in one’s wealth strategy as wealth is created, as Six Degrees do.
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And then there's passion. The passion of the Strictly contestants to get better each week is akin to the fire that burns in the heart of every entrepreneur. We’re driven to constantly improve, to innovate, and to push boundaries.
Passion is what fuels the long hours, the sleepless nights, and the relentless pursuit of something meaningful. It's what makes the ups feel euphoric and gives you the strength to weather the downs.
But what truly makes entrepreneurship special—just like dance—is trust. Trust in yourself, trust in your team, and trust in the process. Building a business requires letting go, taking risks, and believing that even when you stumble, you can regain your footing ??. It’s about creating a culture where everyone believes in the same purpose, shares the same passion, and trusts that together, they’ll succeed. Just like the dance floor, the business world demands that you rely on others and let them lift you when you need it most. Trust in your wealth adviser is also crucial, trust that they will give you an answer, they will partner with you and trust that they understand your purpose and your passions.
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Then, of course, there’s the critique. On Strictly, the judges ????play a vital role in pushing contestants to improve. Their comments can be harsh, but necessary. Entrepreneurs experience the same. Investors, clients, and even competitors are quick to judge us, often highlighting weaknesses we’ve overlooked. Yet, no one is harder on us than ourselves. As founders, we are often our own toughest critics, dissecting every misstep, every perceived failure, and relentlessly pushing for perfection. While self-reflection and leaning are crucial for growth, it's important to balance critique with self-compassion. Like any good dancer, we must learn to take feedback, grow from it, and not let it paralyse our progress.
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Finally, let’s talk about the taboo of money. In both entrepreneurship and dance, success is often measured by achievement—profits in business, scores in competition. But when you reach that point where you've built something incredible and you're contemplating the sale of your business, the conversation about money becomes almost uncomfortable. There's an unspoken tension around selling, as if the financial reward somehow taints the passion you’ve poured into your venture. We often find ourselves asking, “What comes next?”
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Selling a business, like reaching the final in Strictly, should be a celebration of success ??. It’s the culmination of years of dedication. Yet, so many founders face a strange sense of loss or fear that without the business, they’ve lost their identity or purpose. The truth is, selling isn’t an end—it’s the next chapter. It gives you the freedom to explore new passions, start new ventures, or perhaps finally take a breath and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Your wealth strategy can achieve your purpose. Entrepreneurship is a dance that never really ends; it just evolves, often leading to new stages, new partners, and new audiences.
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So, whether you're starting your first venture or are deep in the trenches of scaling your company, remember: entrepreneurship, like dance, is an art. Lead with purpose, fuel your passion, embrace the critiques, and trust the process. The audience—your clients, your team, your partners—will be cheering you on every step of the way.
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Keep dancing, keep building, and don’t shy away from celebrating your success when the curtain finally falls. The next stage is waiting and Six Degrees are here to partner with you.
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#purpose #entrpreneurialism #dancing
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Co-Founder, Six Degrees
5 个月Loving this piece Katherine Waller, and glad for everyone's sake that they don't actually have to see my dancing...
Founder & Chief Executive de Novo Solutions, Serial Entrepreneur - GBEA Tech Entrepreneur Wales 2023, Elite Business 100 Exceptional Performance 2024, Winner Wales Enterprise Awards 2024, Tussell Tech200 2024
5 个月Love this Katherine Waller - it always takes two to tango!