Entrepreneur Interview Takeaways

As I was able to interview a local entrepreneur I learned five great lessons that I look forward to using in my entrepreneurial endeavors.

These takeaways are in no specific order.

1.       The beginning years are the hardest.  Starting your own business is always a risk because you are competing against others who have years of experience, and sometimes you are even competing against machines!  Believing in your work and your capabilities will aid in trusting that you are capable of accomplishing just as much or even more.

2.       Be open to other possibilities.  The entrepreneur I interviewed has a MA in Architecture and is now the owner of a dental lab.  He knew he wanted to do something with art, but he never imagined that creating unique and detailed crowns for patients would satisfy the artist in him.  I know that Heavenly Father will lead me in the direction he wants me to go where I can serve my fellow man to the best of my abilities.

3.       Take risks! Not taking risks leaves you exactly where you already have been.  If you want to discover what you are truly capable of you will take those risks.  Taking risks and believing in your abilities help move you forward towards your goals.

4.       Involve your family.  The entrepreneur I interviewed has spent countless hours away from his family because he has wanted to provide for them and have a successful business.  Although he has been able to do both, he did it at the cost of missing out on spending valuable time with his family.  I know that success can be accomplished with the love and support of your family.  They too will learn to appreciate what you love and they will help you in accomplishing your goals (and your children will learn what hard work is).

5.       Don’t be afraid of hearing “No”.  People will turn you down and refuse your services, but that cannot stop you from the continual process of trying.  This is one of the biggest obstacles I will have to overcome.  I am an introvert and have a hard time talking to strangers and sometimes even those close to me.  I will have to find the courage to speak to others about the small things in life so I can find the courage to approach them when I want to offer them something I believe in.

Message to Garcia

This week as a read the article titled A Message to Garcia I was shocked to find out how much I lack energy to accomplish difficult tasks, and even more so, tasks I have never done before.

The story that is related in the article is as follows:  President McKinley needed to get a message to General Garcia, but General Garcia was in Cuba… deep inside the mountains. He sought the help of Colonel Rowan.  Rowan did not ask any questions, just took the letter and headed off to find Garcia.  It took him a little less than a month, but he used his own knowledge, abilities, resources, and connections to find Garcia and accomplish the mission he was sent out to do.

How many of us hesitate when we really have no idea what is being asked of us?  I know this reading was a part of a business class, and yes, we all need to learn to possess the qualities that will allow us to be the kind of person that “takes the bull by the horns” and runs with it.

I’d like to look at this with a slightly more spiritual set of eyes.  How many times have we feared the trials set before us because they are too hard or they are something that we have never experienced before?  I know that I do all too frequently. 

The message that is given to the reader in A Message to Garcia, can relate to our need for spiritual growth through faith.  Do not hesitate but seek to find a solution.  It will not come on its own.  We have to use our own, knowledge, abilities, resources, and connections to accomplish what our Father has expected of us.

Good Things to Come

It is amazing how our Heavenly Father does work in mysterious ways.  Answers to life’s troubles are answered in the most unexpected ways.  A battle has begun in my home, and the things that I hold most sacred are being tested.  What I once felt as a place of comfort and refuge has become a place of distress and pain.  I want to run away from it all and not even consider looking back.  How can something that felt so right feel like it is turning against you?

This week as I watched and listened to Elder Hollands talks titled, However Long and Hard the Road & Good Things to Come, reminded me of the battle that those before me have suffered through in faith, and that there are those living today that are fighting their own battles.  The emotional end to Elder Hollands short clip touched me in a way that was necessary.  “Don’t you quit, you keep trying.  There is help and happiness ahead.  Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until Heaven.  It will be alright in the end.  Trust God, and believe in good things to come”

Sometimes not having control of things that happen in my life, bring me great dismay.  Faithful children of God will see the blessings rise above the dust of earthly trials. 

May we always have the strength and faith to keep trusting in God and believing that good things will come.

Business/Family Rules

Once again this week I will discuss an amazing podcast in the world of business that I viewed.  This is the video (The Entrepreneur and the Family) that spoke to me the most.  Steve Blank was asked a question regarding women and the balancing of family life and being a busy entrepreneur.  His response seemed so simple, yet very inspired.  “Set Rules”.

Having a small family, I always dream of the day where I will own a business and spend more time with my family.  There more I learn about start-up businesses the more I realize that they are very time consuming and overwhelming at times.  You no longer just show up and work your eight hours and go home to your family.  You now run the place and if you allow it to, it will run you and your personal life.

Blank’s response of setting rules and keeping them will provide you the opportunity to take control of both aspects of your life.  He discussed setting the rule of having dinner every night at seven.  As soon as his kids were put into bed, he would work remotely for the rest of the evening.  He also mentioned that except for the half day of going to work with dad on Saturdays, the weekends were dedicated to his children. 

I really like that he included his children in his business.  That is a helpful way of teaching his children about his business and spending time together.  I look forward to being able to do something similar with my sweet family.

Business 183

This semester I am really enjoying the class that I am taking at BYU-I on business.  Through this class I am finding a fire that is beginning to burn.  I am excited to take on the task of entrepreneurship.  I know there is a lot to learn, but I look forward to it.  This class provides so many resources and the experiences of others that help guide us in making our own decisions in the business world.  I look forward to continue learning and finding the confidence that I lack.

As part of the class we watched a podcast called “A Hero’s Journey”.  Reminded me of my last post.  He said that it we should find our God-given gifts and use them in a way that bring you great joy and satisfying a great need in the world.  I had discussed the wonders of being able to do something you love and actually make a living from it… but I had not considered the thought of satisfying a great need through my talents and making a difference. 

I desire to find that joy in life; to be that person that wakes up every morning filled with vigor to do what I love and do best.  To be able to walk out my door and know that I am not only making a difference in my life, but also in the life of another, and better yet, a difference in the world.

What were you born to do?

This last week I watched a very inspirational podcast titled "Do What You Love" by Tom Kelley.  At the beginning of the podcast he quotes Francis Ford Copolla who said, "Do what you love.  You'll be better at it."  This is when the light bulb lit up above my head.  Of course! Why does providing for your family have to be a daily chore?  Everyone should be able to find a way to make a living doing what they love. 
Of course there are exceptions - I love to sleep and have yet been able to make living from catching all of those z's.
However, I have an amazing friend who loves to play the trumpet, and he was able to make a living from it that most would not have thought of.  He is the main trumpet instructor at one of the most known US universities.  He does what he loves, teaches what he loves, and travels to many great locations.  He was able to pull off playing the trumpet everyday and getting paid for it!
Ok, so this is where I hit the road block... what do I love to do and what was I born to do?  I have always just worked because I need to help provide for my family.  I like my job, but I'm not passionate about it.  What now?
Tom Kelley also tells a story Jim Collins told about himself.  He discovered what he loved to do by writing in a lab notebook.  It wasn't a journal where he wrote what he did day-in and day-out.  He wrote down what it was that truly brought him joy everyday.  Through this activity he was able to discover his true passion... teaching about systems.
Well, I end this post with the one thing that brought me the most joy today -- being outdoors with my children on a crisp fall day.  Here's to more crisp fall days and happy moments.

Be the difference

This week while reading The Ministry of Business by Steven A Hitz with James W. Ritchie I read the chapter titled “The Formula and Happiness”.  The formula Ritchie discusses is a Formula for Success.  He lists six things that he feels are necessary to achieve success.  The step that stood out to me most was the last that is: Get prepared to be of service. 

                I had heard something similar when reading Dave Ramsey’s steps to financial freedom.  His final step is similar: “Build Wealth and Give!”  However, Ritchie’s service differed from Ramsey’s because the focus is on the giving of non-monetary items such as time and service.

                Ritchie was able to serve in the LDS Church in many locations and all of it was voluntary.  He was able to build a financial reserve trough his tried and true method where he and his wife were able to give of themselves and also provide for themselves while giving 100% of their time in the service of others.

                I look forward to being able to reach that point someday where I can comfortable serve my fellow man and do it more than every once in a while.  Where I can feel the joy that comes with knowing that I am making a difference in someone’s life.  I already serve when I can, but a full-time opportunity would be a very valued experience.  May we all seek those small moments of service and look forward to marvelous opportunities of making a difference every day!