How A $25M Tech Hub Can Jumpstart Your Business
Nashlie Sephus, an Artificial Intelligence Scientist at Amazon, is working on a cutting-edge project in Jackson Mississippi. This article at Inc.com was especially interesting to me because Nashlie and I both grew up in Mississippi, and we also studied engineering for our undergraduate degrees.
The article describes how Nashlie was in downtown Jackson, Mississippi where she saw 12 abandoned acres of vacant lots and old buildings. She stated that instead of wanting to leave the area, she saw “a busy technology hub where people work, play, eat and do business deals”.
It's unusual that she had this kind of vision for this part of Jackson. Usually developers flock to the more high-end, affluent neighborhoods to put their stake in the ground and build. Not many people would see a whopping $25M technology hub out of those 12 desolate acres.
When I read this story, I instantly thought of the entrepreneurs that I often meet. They usually say, "I’m a coach, accountant, bookkeeper, website designer, digital marketer, etc.".
The challenge is that there are a number of other people out there doing the same things as these entrepreneurs are doing, and they can feel as if they're like everybody else in a sea of competition. They may try to distinguish themselves with slightly different offers, but they feel that they're going after the same clients and basically providing the same services.
I find that the greatest opportunities happen when an entrepreneur has a laser-focused vision and stay open for the unexpected. They don't have pre-conceived notions of what is (and what isn't) possible. They're on the lookout for ways to differentiate themselves and express what's special about them.
Similar to Nashlie Sephus, these entrepreneurs don't see abandoned areas with no potential for growth in front of them. They see undiscovered opportunities ahead, no matter if the landscape doesn't quite look the way that they want. They see the potential to plant, water and nurture even if there's no grass.
Many entrepreneurs have uncharted and potential fertile terrain like described in the article, but they don’t even know it. They may see themselves as a coach, consultant, therapist or accountant, but what area in their industry can they carve out that’s unique to them?
No two businesses are alike, even if they offer the same services. They both bring something different to their businesses and how they serve their clients. It's totally up to them what strategy they choose and how they position their business to connect with who they ideally want to work with.
Some entrepreneurs want to be like the others in the market and go after the same clients, but people are usually more attracted to you and your message when you speak to their specific needs, how your strengths can help them and express your unique voice.
Conclusion: Nashlie Sephus' vision of a $25M technology hub in an isolated, abandoned part of downtown Jackson, Mississippi is an inspiration for any entrepreneur. Her story is a great example of what seemed like no opportunity could be a diamond-in-the-making with the right strategy. Whatever business you're in, be sure to stay open for opportunities, get unfiltered feedback from your prospects and clients and carve out your own piece of the market that capitalizes on what's unique about you. Like Earl Nightingale said, "You are, at this moment, standing, right in the middle of your own 'acres of diamonds".
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