“Entrepreneur isÌýaÌýperson who sets upÌýaÌýbusiness orÌýbusinesses, taking onÌýfinancial risks inÌýtheÌýhope ofÌýprofit.” That’s theÌýdictionary definition ofÌýentrepreneurship. Fair enough.
And forÌýposterity, here’s another definition from Michael E.ÌýGerber, founder ofÌýaÌýbusiness skills training company: “The entrepreneur isÌýaÌýdreamer, aÌýthinker, aÌýstoryteller andÌýaÌýleader. The dreamer has aÌýdream, theÌýthinker has aÌývision, theÌýstoryteller has aÌýpurpose, andÌýtheÌýleader has aÌýmission.”
Whether you’re onÌýteam Team Dictionary orÌýTeam Gerber, noÌýtwo entrepreneurial journeys are ever theÌýsame. There are asÌýmany ways toÌýdescribe anÌýentrepreneur andÌýtheir experience asÌýthere are entrepreneurs themselves. SoÌýweÌýasked some ofÌýour ºÚÁÏÃÅ merchants toÌýdoÌýjust that.
IfÌýyou’re anÌýaspiring entrepreneur andÌýwant toÌýknow
Ready toÌýstart your online business? andÌýsell everywhere: onÌýwebsites, social media, online marketplaces, inÌýapps, andÌýinÌýperson. All with noÌýtransaction fees.
What Does itÌýMean toÌýBeÌýanÌýEntrepreneur
Kiki Heinzer, founder andÌýCEO ofÌýpremium meal delivery service
Being anÌýentrepreneur means total freedom toÌýcreate theÌýjob andÌýlife you want. With that freedom, comes aÌýlot ofÌýresponsibility, but you get toÌýtruly tap into something that has great meaning forÌýyou.
IÌýultimately wanted toÌýhelp people. IÌýsaw aÌýneed inÌýtheÌýmarket andÌýIÌýknew IÌýcould fulfill that need better than anyone else.
Leah DaÌýGloria,
Made. IÌýbelieve it’s more ofÌýaÌýquestion ofÌýwhere one’s entrepreneurial qualities originate. Some benefit from their supportive upbringing where their parents orÌýmentors provide aÌýpath ofÌýcritical thought andÌýanalysis ofÌýthemselves, promoting emotional intelligence andÌýawareness. Others nurture these qualities within themselves through environmental change. SoÌýIÌýbelieve it’s more ofÌýaÌýquestion ofÌýwhere their qualities stem from than aÌýquestion ofÌý“you have itÌýorÌýyou don’t.”
First andÌýforemost, entrepreneurs are innovators who have aÌýunique product/service/idea. They are “big picture” people who are relentless inÌýrealizing their dream. They are people who are
Jimmy Craig, artist andÌýowner ofÌýprints store
AÌýpart ofÌýwhat entrepreneurship means toÌýmeÌýisÌýfiguring out what worksÌý— including trial andÌýerror, making adjustments, listening toÌýyour audience, andÌýexperimenting. Since IÌýstarted selling comics onÌýmyÌýwebsite, nearly every aspect ofÌýmyÌýbusiness has evolved inÌýsome form orÌýanotherÌý— including theÌýpaper IÌýuse, how they’re printed, andÌýwhat they’re shipped in.
IfÌýyou’re starting your own business, IÌýwould recommend taking advantage ofÌýsocial media toÌýconnect with customers. Social media makes itÌýsoÌýeasy toÌýpost polls andÌýpromotions. When IÌýpost comics, IÌýcan easily see which ones myÌýaudience responds best to, which ultimately are theÌýones that turn into prints.
Michelle Cox, owner ofÌýpersonalized hand-stamped jewelry store
IÌýthink entrepreneurs are made. Throughout myÌýlife, I’ve had various job roles, but nothing really felt right. I’ve always been creative, andÌýafter lots ofÌýtrial andÌýerror, IÌýfound that making jewelry was myÌýmain calling. For anyone starting aÌýbusiness, ofÌýcourse theÌýend goal isÌýtoÌýmake money, but more than anything you need toÌýhave aÌýgenuine passion forÌýwhat you’re doing.
Passion, desire, andÌýthick skin! There isÌýnoÌýquick money making scheme ifÌýyou want toÌýbeÌýanÌýentrepreneur andÌýbusiness owner. ItÌýtakes aÌýlot ofÌýtime, effort, andÌýperseverance! More than anything you need toÌýbeÌýconsistent, connect with your audience, not follow theÌýcrowd, andÌýtry toÌýreinvent constantly. I’m forever working onÌýnew design ideas andÌýteaching myself new jewellery making techniques toÌýkeep things new andÌýexciting forÌýmyÌýcustomers.
Kay Keusen, owner ofÌýpremium swiss chocolate store
IÌýthink both orÌýnothing. InÌýmyÌýview it’s passion that you need. Passion isÌýtheÌýbiggest driver. But aÌýbase ofÌýbusiness knowledge isÌýalso important which isÌýsupporting your passion.
The most important skill isÌýperseverance. Especially nowadays when you see successful stories, aÌýlot ofÌýpeople just think: “Wow, they just got rich”. No, inÌý99% ofÌýbusinesses, you have toÌýwork hard.
Emily Meadows, owner ofÌýPip theÌýBeach Cat LLC
ItÌýmeans that theÌýentire customer experience, theÌýbusiness, theÌýpeople depending onÌýyouÌý— itÌýall weighs onÌýyour shoulders. You are living, eating, andÌýbreathing theÌýsuccess ofÌýyour company because itÌýisÌýnot anÌýoption toÌýfail. Your success brings success toÌýanÌýexponential number ofÌýpeople that your business deals with onÌýaÌýdaily basis.
Pip theÌýBeach Cat
I’d always kept anÌýirregular schedule, choosing toÌýwork asÌýaÌýwaitress instead ofÌýusing myÌýdegrees, because itÌýallowed meÌýanÌýadventurous lifestyle. The next step was toÌýsomehow figure out how IÌýcould make myÌýschedule even better. While IÌýdefinitely work more now than IÌýdid before, IÌýknow that I’m working forÌýsomething important toÌýmeÌýandÌýsomething that can positively affect myÌýlife forÌýyears toÌýcome. And ifÌýIÌýfind that IÌýneed aÌýday off, IÌýjust take it. IÌýthink theÌýconcept ofÌýbeing your own boss isÌýpretty rewarding.
Jill Simmons, owner ofÌýcalligraphy andÌýstationery store
For me, being anÌýentrepreneur means being aÌýleader forÌýyour brand. ItÌýmeans doing theÌýright thing, evaluating what worked andÌýdidn’t, learning new methods toÌýcut time orÌýcost forÌýyour products, andÌýproviding aÌýhigh level ofÌýcustomer service.
MyÌýdream job didn’t exist, soÌýIÌýcreated it. IÌýwanted aÌýflexible schedule creating calligraphy andÌýinvitations andÌýteaching calligraphy workshops. IÌýbegan The Letter Box inÌý2016ÌýandÌýhave served dozens ofÌýbrides with wedding invitations andÌýtaught hundreds ofÌýstudents calligraphy. Some days are challenging, andÌýsome days are rewarding. IÌýhave gained great knowledge from myÌýexperiences asÌýanÌýentrepreneur.
Trey Humphries, CEO andÌýfounder ofÌýclothing brand
ToÌýme, entrepreneurship isÌýaÌýfundamental aspect ofÌýhaving aÌýcareer that you love. Starting your own business provides theÌýopportunity toÌýplace your values andÌýinterests atÌýtheÌýforefront ofÌýwhat you doÌýevery day. IÌýfind theÌýwhole process toÌýbeÌýtheÌýmost fulfilling part ofÌýmyÌýlife. IÌýhave had theÌýsame dream ofÌýmaking myÌýown clothing line since IÌýwas aÌýchild when IÌý
So, forÌýmeÌýbeing anÌýentrepreneur doesn’t just mean that IÌýamÌýmyÌýown boss; itÌýmeans that IÌýamÌýliving out myÌýdream with total freedom andÌýcreative control. Obviously, some days things are very difficult andÌýitÌýcan feel like myÌýdream isÌýactually aÌýnightmare. But even inÌýtheÌýtoughest times, IÌýhave never truly wanted toÌýquit because IÌýcouldn’t imagine having toÌýrelinquish that freedom.
Trey (in theÌýmiddle) with social media influencers atÌýtheÌýopening ofÌýCarton pop upÌýshop
MyÌýadvice would beÌýtoÌýbrace yourself; starting your own business isÌýeasier said than done. Don’t spend too much time talking about theÌýcompany you aspire toÌýlaunch andÌýjust start doing itÌýinstead because you will never know all that your business needs until itÌýstarts operating. People often spend too much time inÌýtheÌýplanning phase because itÌýfeels rewarding toÌýjust conceptualize your ideas’ potential with noÌýrisk ofÌýfailure.
You have toÌýdevelop aÌýnew relationship with your shortcomings because itÌýisÌýwhen things goÌýawry that you actually learn what theÌýbusiness needs toÌýoperate. When things goÌýwell, theÌýconsumers are just validating what you already knew. But I’ve learned aÌýlot more about what our company needs toÌýwork onÌýfrom theÌýtimes that weÌýfell short, because atÌýthat point, theÌýaspect that’s holding you back makes itself glaringly obvious. Count your blessings, but study your shortcomings.
Entrepreneur Tips
We’re consistently amazed byÌýtheÌýway ºÚÁÏÃÅ merchants use our tools toÌýmanage andÌýgrow their businesses. OnÌýtheÌýºÚÁÏÃÅ
Solve aÌýproblem forÌýyourself andÌýitÌýcould become your next product
IfÌýyou want toÌýbecome anÌýentrepreneur but you’re not sure where toÌýstart, begin byÌýfinding aÌýsolution toÌýaÌýcommon problem inÌýyour own routine.
±õ´ÚÌý²â´Ç³Ü°ù idea does solve aÌýreal problem, even forÌýaÌývery small niche, there’s aÌýgood chance you’ll beÌýable toÌýbuild aÌýbusiness around itÌý
Listen toÌýBilly’s story: Solopreneur
But just because itÌýworked forÌýBilly doesn’t mean your solution needs toÌýbeÌýaÌýbrand new invention. For example, Jill Bartlett was shopping forÌýaÌýrain coat forÌýher dog Scout when she struck gold. While Jill did find
Listen toÌýJill’s entrepreneurial story: Pet Passion ProjectÌý— Custom Dog Coat Store
Get help from your local entrepreneurial community
AtÌýtheÌýstart ofÌýher business, Jaeleen Shaw, founder ofÌýtheÌýflower store , gained much needed exposure from her local entrepreneurial community:
“When weÌýfirst got started, this was theÌýnumber one thing that really helped usÌýboost andÌýget inÌýfront ofÌýtheÌýcommunity. We’re aÌýpart ofÌýaÌýlocal entrepreneurial group that’s called Tuesdays Together. WeÌýjoined that community really early on, andÌýall theÌýpeople involved inÌýthat are really core inÌýtheÌýcreative community here inÌýFresno. They all shared about usÌýonÌýtheir social media andÌýwith their friends, andÌýthat helped usÌýreally blow upÌýreally quickly because they really loved usÌýandÌýcared about us.”
Another thing that helped toÌýsucceed isÌýtheir beautiful imagery
Listen toÌýJaeleen’s entrepreneurial story: Local Flower Cart toÌýNational Seller with Instagram
Don’t let doubts stop you
Antonette Montalvo, aÌýcommunity health consultant andÌýlife coach forÌýnurses, was originally planning toÌýshare her nursing insights onÌýher personal blog before deciding toÌýcollect her thoughts inÌýaÌý:
“Entrepreneurship wasn’t onÌýmyÌýfirst track. ItÌýwas just about wanting toÌýdoÌýsomething innovative inÌýterms ofÌýproviding health care. IÌýstarted writing down some notes andÌýmyÌýhusband was telling me: ‘You need toÌýpublish it. There are people that can benefit from this.Â’
ItÌýstill took time toÌýget toÌý‘IÌýthink it’s worth putting into aÌýproduct.Â’ Finally, IÌýdecided toÌýtake this compilation ofÌýthoughts andÌýreflections andÌýinspirational musings onÌýbeing visionary andÌýbeing able toÌýimpact health care andÌýcompile itÌýinÌýaÌýway that itÌýwould beÌýtangible forÌýother people toÌýutilize itÌýandÌýbeÌýinnovative themselves.
IÌýlaunched myÌýbook, andÌýit’s probably been theÌýbest thing that IÌýcould have ever done. Not only forÌýthis business that I’m trying toÌýscale but forÌýother nurses who are looking toÌýhave some direction andÌýsome support.”
Listen toÌýAntonette’s entrepreneurial story:
BeÌýready forÌýups andÌýdowns
Akilah Nisa, owner ofÌýnatural cosmetics store , understands theÌýchallenges ofÌýbeing anÌýentrepreneur
“Everybody thinks entrepreneurship isÌýeasy, andÌýit’s not. It’s like aÌýgraph. Sometimes it’s up. Sometimes it’s way down. IfÌýIÌýdon’t get orders inÌýaÌýcouple ofÌýdays, I’m like ‘Oh myÌýGod, what’s going on? Why did IÌýdoÌýthis? Let meÌýfreshen upÌýmyÌýresume, IÌýneed aÌýjob.Â’ But then you have your good days.
There are good days andÌýbad days, but it’s hard work. It’s aÌý
Listen toÌýAkilah’s entrepreneurial story: Customer Success StoryÌý— KissedByABee.com
What’s theÌýBest Age toÌýBecome anÌýEntrepreneur?
Fun fact: according toÌý, theÌýaverage age ofÌýanÌýentrepreneur atÌýtheÌýtime they found their company isÌý42. SoÌýdon’t think that you’ve missed your chance toÌýstart aÌýbusiness ifÌýyou spent your twenties partying orÌýworking hard somewhere else.
For example, Paul Tasner founded his own
Entrepreneurship inÌýdifferent countries
Depending onÌýtheÌýcountry, theÌýnumber ofÌý
- The Republic ofÌýKorea has theÌýhighest percentage ofÌýmanufacturing/logistics entrepreneursÌý— 23%.
- InÌýtheÌýMiddle East andÌýAfrica, Madagascar shows theÌýgreatest proportion ofÌýagriculture/extractive/construction
early-stage entrepreneursÌý— 25%. Angola has theÌýhighest level ofÌýwholesale/retail activityÌý— 74%. - InÌýEurope, service andÌýtechnology are prevalent. Austria has theÌýhighest percentage ofÌýhealth/education/government/social andÌýconsumer services
early-stage entrepreneursÌý— 33%. Switzerland has theÌýhighest proportion ofÌýearly-stage entrepreneurs inÌýfinance/real estate/business servicesÌý— 30%. Ireland shows theÌýlargest percentage ofÌýentrepreneurs inÌýICTÌý— 13%.
Starting your own online business isÌýone ofÌýtheÌýmost affordable options forÌýaspiring entrepreneurs. With ºÚÁÏÃÅ, all you need isÌýanÌýemail toÌýget your store upÌýandÌýrunning. Merchants ofÌýall ages andÌý
“ºÚÁÏÃÅ isÌýanÌýamazing platform that allows anyone toÌýeasily start anÌýonline business. IÌýcreated myÌýsite using ºÚÁÏÃÅ Instant Site, andÌýitÌýcouldn’t have been easierÌý— after about anÌýhour ofÌýplaying around with theÌýsoftware andÌýcustomizable templates, IÌýhad aÌýgorgeous online shop that was ready toÌýuse.”Ìý— Lara,
What isÌýanÌýEntrepreneur? Share Your Ideas!
ToÌýparaphrase aÌýpopular maxim, “many entrepreneurs, many minds.” Tell usÌýmore about you andÌýyour (dream) business, describe what being anÌýentrepreneur means toÌýyou, orÌýshare your view ofÌýsome entrepreneurial best practices inÌýtheÌýcomments.
Ìý
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