Daring to Dream: The Entrepreneurial Spirit
Nathalie Brodard
Entrepreneur l Board Member l Keynote Speaker l Forum des 100 Alumna
Starting a business is both exciting and hard. As I look back on my journey, I learned how important it is to try new things, stay curious, find the right place to grow, and keep getting better, both in life and work.
The Magic of Changing Your Surroundings
As an entrepreneur, our life is always changing, but sometimes, we find something good that works, and we stick with it, falling into a routine. Continuing with the same routine, while comfortable and seemingly effective, can lead to a feeling of being stuck. It's like running on a treadmill: we're moving, but not going anywhere new. This comfort zone, though safe, often masks the vast opportunities and learning experiences that await just outside its boundaries.
Breaking out of this cycle requires courage and a willingness to embrace the unfamiliar. It's about daring to experiment, to fail, and to learn from those failures.
I wanted to explore more, something that really pushed me outside of my confort zone, so I started getting into public speaking (conferences, podcasts, videos.....) At first, it appeared as the most frightening challenge (It's getting better). But as I got more into it, I realised it wasn't just about overcoming fear and discomfort; it turned into a journey of personal growth.
This experience taught me that real growth often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and immerse ourselves in experiences that challenge our preconceived notions of what we're capable of...
These lessons reminded me that the path to success is paved with opportunities to learn and evolve, often found in the least expected places.
DARE to Fail...
My journey has been marked by failures. These were times when things didn't go as planned and the outcomes fell short of expectations.
A pivotal moment in my journey was the decision to open a new office, a venture that ultimately did not succeed. It was not the right moment, nor the right strategy. This experience, despite being filled with disappointment, was priceless. It taught me the importance of adaptive strategies, rigorous market analysis, and the humility to pivot when necessary.
I encountered other failures that seemed insurmountable. Projects that I was passionate about fell flat. Services I believed in didn't find their market. There were days when the weight of these failures felt crushing, questioning my abilities and even my worth as an entrepreneur.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill
So you probably asking. What did I learn from those failures?? Well, from failed projects, I learned the importance of market research and customer feedback. Interpersonal conflicts highlighted the importance of communication and team dynamics. Each failure added a new skill to my portfolio, making me not just a better entrepreneur but a more empathetic leader.
Business is All About Your Surroundings
Running a business isn't just about being a solitary genius. It's more about the community you build around you. Attending networking events, participating in groups, and seeking mentors have been crucial in connecting with individuals who significantly contributed to my success. As a woman in business, these connections didn't just support me; they also opened up new opportunities.
领英推荐
The World is Your Playground
Business owners can connect with people and resources all over the world. This has made it easier than ever to come up with new ideas and work with others, no matter where they are. In building my personal brand online, I've focused on sharing my vision and connecting with like-minded individuals.
Building a personal brand online today means more than just showing off; it's about sharing your big ideas. It's about telling people what you're about, connecting with those who believe in you, and building a community around what you stand for.
Wrapping Up
Leading two companies as a woman has been, and continues to be, a journey of constant learning, adaptation, and resilience. It shows me the critical importance of embracing change, building a supportive network, and the power of community. The world is continuously evolving, and success lies in our ability to navigate these changes with innovation, courage and inspiration.
I invite you to reflect on your journey: What change have you been hesitant to make in your pursuit of success, and what's holding you back? Looking forward to hearing your stories
NB
My next events:
26.03.2024 Masterclass Public Speaking (Geneva) Waiting list
26.03.2024 Hire Me I'm Fabulous (Geneva) - on waiting list : [email protected]
15.04.2024 Masterclass Personal Branding Formulaire
01.05.2024 Hire Me I'm Fabulous (Lausanne): Registration will open in 10 days.
If my journey has inspired you, I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions or just click the "Subscribe" button for more insights and stories like this one.
Directeur Général - Directeur des Opérations – LBO - Accélération de croissance – Redressement d’activités – Data - Connaissance clients
8 个月Thank you for reminding us that change isn't easy, but that we have to trust our journey and enjoy it! And accept feeling like the fish in the photo! It's a great example!
Hi Nathalie. I was recently advised to follow you and I can see why. Your journey is inspiring. What is distinct is how your drive feeds from your values, beliefs and how you apply emotional intelligence in your trade, a combination that is refreshing to encounter.? As life moves on, the pendulum and formulae of happiness are moving too, organically we start seeking goals that make us feel more balanced and complete as individuals. Some values become non negotiable and some less dependable, playing a big part in our career choices. Often it feels there are no solutions to achieving a new career, bespoke hours, more autonomy, other than with entrepreneurship. While it can be beneficial to many, it can be detrimental to the well being of others (long hours, stress, burnout). This links up with your post on 45+ who have similar challenges. Companies & HR specialists have an opportunity to tap into the 45+ workforce, especially women. Ultimately, executives need to provide the incentive & the hiring budget (often a critical issue). The economy needs a flexible work system and the over 45 more than before. The question is, how do we incite corporations to evolve their mindset and to take the leap so all potential can be achieved?
Business Transformation | Continuous Improvement | Agile Scrum Master | Project & Program Management Officer | Process Performance & Operational Excellence Expert
8 个月Great article, Nathalie Brodard. Your journey through public speaking challenges, failures, and ultimately, personal growth, underscores a pivotal lesson: embracing discomfort fosters real progress. It's a compelling reminder that success and failure are merely steps in our journey, not the destination. Your story is a powerful call to action for everyone to dare to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the possibilities that come with change.
Project management, Communication, Research & Analysis, Eurasia region
8 个月Be curious. Be ready to fail. thanks for sharing.