Being an entrepreneur at a very young age was the last thing I ever thought could happen to me. I was 19 yrs old when we started Market America I had no idea what I was doing, but there were a few steps I had to go through and learn before going on my own. Now after 20 yrs in the business I want to teach you 5 things that I think are crucial as an entrepreneur.
1. Listen, Listen, Listen: Talking too much can cost you and sometimes get you in trouble. There is great power in listening because it helps you gain more knowledge. We’re in a world where the best listeners are winners.
2. You are not to small to start your business: We didn’t have employees when we started Market America, it was my husband, my brother and I. We did everything from shipping to receptionist to accounting, you name it we did it. There will always be challenges as an entrepreneur and no matter your funding or how small you are don’t take those challenges personal, believe in yourself and in your vision. You have a better advantage as a young entrepreneur because you will build a solid foundation.
3. Read, Read, Read: Educate yourself on everything and anything about your business and your competition. As an entrepreneur I’ve learned to read lots of books that have imparted on me some virtues I wouldn’t have gained otherwise. Reading helps you tap into the knowledge and experience of other wise and successful people so you model your business after them.
4. Take Action: Don’t just talk, be about it. Most people think their dreams will not materialize or dreams don’t come true, that is the reason why most people aren’t successful because they don’t even show up to try. Take action make it happen! There’s no point in you getting an idea only to postpone till tomorrow, believe in your ideas and act on them right away. It doesn’t matter if your idea is good or bad, take action immediately so that if you fail, you fail faster and have enough time to move on to another idea.
5. Persistency is the Key to Success: Never give up and never stop trying. I didn’t become successful or rich by sitting in the couch watching TV. I kept trying and I failed more than a few time, but I got back tried again. If someone turned me down, I moved on, but I didn’t give up. Success is not easy to come by, it takes hard work, it takes persistence and if you have those two traits you’ll get anything you want with time.
