Passages to Success | The Entrepreneur’s Passion

This past week, I had the honor of being a sponsor, speaker, and vendor booth at Passages to Success, held in Vancouver, Washington. The event, dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, brought together tools, support, and that essential dose of confidence for those daring enough to start their own ventures.

Kimberly Keys hosted a stunning black-tie awards ceremony and the ThriveCon 2024 trade show. It was a thrill to connect with founders Jonathan Kaylor and Ben Surratt (pictured above), and to see a room filled with entrepreneurs—all sharing one common thread: the drive to make something happen.

Celebrating the Entrepreneurial Spirit

I have a profound love for entrepreneurs. I’m endlessly curious about their journey:

• What led them to take the plunge into business?
• How do they bring their ideas to market?
• How do they keep their confidence high in the face of setbacks?

And, the practical questions:

• How much cash reserve do they maintain?
• What’s their business structure?
• How many employees have they brought on?
• Where do they envision their business in 3, 5, or even 10 years?
• What’s their plan for an eventual exit?

The Hard Realities of Being an Entrepreneur

For most, entrepreneurship isn’t an easy road. The journey lacks the usual comforts:

• No one pays you for holidays or vacations.
• Health care is often a question mark.
• Competing with larger companies on benefits can be a challenge.

In the U.S., there are 33 million small businesses. Yet, the stats are sobering:

• 20% of start-ups don’t make it through their first year.
• By year five, half of them have shuttered.

And, when it comes to financial rewards, the reality isn’t always glamorous. Many veteran entrepreneurs are more likely paying themselves below market value, balancing passion with the hard numbers—while the millionaire narrative remains a rarer sight. The Google AI overview states that the typical entrepreneur with less than 5 years experience, earns $49,000. In 2022, the median salary for a business owner was $103,334. Only the top 10% percentile, earn $293,500 per year.

Pursuing a Purpose Beyond Profit

But when you’re passionate about what you’re doing, and genuinely invested in the people you serve, the rewards of entrepreneurship can be unlike anything else. It’s a profession driven by purpose, one that can change lives.

This post is a hat tip to all the hard working entrepreneurs out there. You’re pursuing a dream, and you’re driven by a purpose that, for most, makes every sacrifice worthwhile.

Keep Going

To every entrepreneur reading this: keep chasing your vision. You’ve got it in you to make a difference. Keep building, keep believing, and let your passion fuel the journey.