Why We Celebrate Entrepreneurs Today: A Journey of Purpose and Passion

If boredom in the workplace is something that concerns you, try being an entrepreneur. It’s a sure way to ensure you never have a boring day again… But be prepared for the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Some days you are riding the highest waves; other days, you are second-guessing your every move…Some days the opportunities just present themselves, and other days the challenges seem insurmountable.?

The key is to find your balance and your centre of gravity. Being resilient to ebbs and flows is key. Most of all, keep a healthy mindset, a positive outlook and always remember why you ventured this path…many small wins lead to bigger wins…

Okay, so maybe becoming or having an interest in being an entrepreneur isn’t for the avoidance of boredom but rather for following a purpose, something greater than you…. Maybe you became an entrepreneur because you had a great idea, maybe you sought freedom in your own destiny, or maybe you felt so passionately about something that you knew you had to dive in.?

I found my purpose years ago, and I am still building it today. Regardless of your journey and what brought you to it, or what is driving you to think about it… remember these tips. I trust they will help.?

Understand the building process

As an entrepreneur, you are constantly building. A value proposition is a huge part of that, and pivoting is generally something to be comfortable with as the market changes or competitors take different avenues. As an entrepreneur, you need to constantly have a pulse on what is happening around you and an achievable plan to pivot. Creativity helps in finding new problems that others overlook. So, let the creative juices flow and build away. If you have a team, empower them to get creative. Encourage mind mapping sessions and get these ideas out on paper. Two minds or more are always better than one.

Manage your network

We all come from somewhere, whether you’re a new grad, or had a previous career, you surely met amazing people along the way. Some were mentors, some friends, and some were acquaintances. Keeping your network close and informed about what you are up to is key. Your network allows you to build or maintain authentic relationships, and that is a huge part of finding success. Warm introductions to partners, clients, and investors can make life so much easier. Besides, you never know where a new client will come from.

Embrace Growth

Whether that means personal growth or professional growth (ideally both),? it’s a good idea to be moving forward and learning from wherever suits your learning style. For me, it’s in talking to people, being curious about the wins and losses of others and how they overcame problems. It can also be done through trial and error. The lessons I have learned from failures have been some of the most powerful ones. There is zero shame in failing.?

In fact, the more you are willing to fail, the higher the chances you have of succeeding. I’ve recently joined a collaborative executive working group. What an amazing opportunity to learn from others in real time, surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs and executive business leaders. We are all humans, and not one person knows everything, so surround yourself well and grow.

Risk is part of the game

This is probably one of the biggest reasons people do not follow their aspirations to be self-employed or to build a business. The stats are true; many enterprises fail within a few years, but what the stats don’t talk about are the lessons learned and those who leverage that and try again. Being resilient is one thing, being persistent is entirely another thing.?

Take a look in the mirror and understand your own fabric. If you see determination, courage and a will to win, that's a great foundation to weathering the risk vs. reward balance. There are some great stories out there of entrepreneurs destined to lose based on track record, and one win is all it took to change the course of their business and life. You need to have that mindset and belief in the eventual win.

Understand your Vision/Mission/Strategy

Don’t dive in too quickly before you understand the first iterations of these concepts. A Vision outlines what you aspire to achieve. It’s forward-looking and is meant to inspire. The mission statement defines the core purpose of the organization, and decisions are made around that. The strategy is the plan, the way forward, and how you will get there. Some will say you need to figure it out at the onset but from my experience, it’s been an evolving process.?

Not thinking about it and not defining it, however, could be costly in the end. You need a North Star to guide your business and help you course correct. If you haven’t already defined these, it’s a great time to start. Consider the following about yourself and your business:? Who you are, Why you exist, Where you are headed, and how you will get there.

?Know your Values

As a company, and in order to do that, you really need to understand your own core values. Aligning your personal values in some capacity to the values of your business ensures that you are capable of leading with those values. The benefits are that it helps with decision-making, forms corporate culture, aligns your team, builds trust, and helps you attract and retain talent. For me personally, this is huge and never overlooked.?

Build Your Team

Lastly, build your team, but not just any team. Surround yourself with individuals who align with your company values, bring great experience to the table, or are willing to learn and grow. You want team players who understand the value of teamwork and taking care of one another.??

Empower your talent to grow, learn, and achieve, and be sure to celebrate those successes. Being in business is a team sport and requires a multitude of experts. When you hire experts, you step out of their way, empower them, and let them do what they do best so you can grow as a team.? Moving forward with amazing people is the fun part. Embrace the journey.

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To all my fellow entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs, Happy Entrepreneurs day. Wishing you all success and growth along the way.

Credit: Dan Charlebois