Becoming an Entrepreneur takes courage, passion and drive but a successful business is not built on these emotions alone. Join author Nitika Chopra as she shares “How To Become An Entrepreneur Without Falling Flat On Your Face.“
Written by Nitika Chopra
So, you want to be an entrepreneur? You want to create your own hours, meet eclectic people for lunch, work from home so you can spend more time with your cat and earn a limitless amount of money since the sky will now be the limit with your new freedom in tow. Right? Well maybe, and to be quite honest, hopefully. However I have seen countless versions for this scenario and very few of them turn out the way my fellow entrepreneurs have hoped.
If you want to know how to follow your dreams as an entrepreneur without having to walk back to your day job with your tail between your legs, then you have come to the right place. Becoming an Entrepreneur does take courage, passion and drive but a successful business is not built on these emotions alone. Read below to learn the top four things you need to make sure your new business venture thrives.
Invest In Research Before Investing In Equipment.
While it is so much fun to prepare for your first great business venture like you would your first day of school, I strongly urge you to take a moment (if not several) before stalking up on lots of “stuff”. I can’t tell you how many times I have had an inspiring conversation with a good friend about her exciting new project, we play around with a few possible cool business names, and the next day she has already ordered 500 new business cards ready to network her butt off and take on the world. Whatever happened to trying something out, having patience or even doing some research? You see, the cute business cards or catchy domain name do NOT make a successful business. What does, is the hard work, long hours and strategic planning. So wait on the accessories and get to work, the “stuff” will be waiting for you on the other side.
Learn To Network Like It’s Your Job. Because It is.
Every time you meet someone new you have an opportunity to network. Especially in this day and age because as much as your resume impresses certain people, when you are an entrepreneur people tend to be more attracted to your passion and willingness to take life in to your own hands to make your dreams come true. Obviously that won’t take you everywhere you need to go, but if you can focus on connecting with everyone you meet from that place, it will get you in some very big and important doors and those opportunities are everything.
Be Crystal Clear On Taking Care Of Your NEEDS.
If you know you have to pay about $2000 a month for your fixed expenses once you add up rent, food and transportation but you only have about $1500 in savings, do NOT quit your day job!! Now I know this might not sound like rocket science, but trust me, for many out there it actually is. We do this thing as an entrepreneur where we believe that our passion alone will be enough to make our business boom. While passion is important, it doesn’t necessarily lead to more dollars in your bank account. So before you take the fierce leap in to a business with no safety net, make sure you have your NEEDS covered for at least 6 months. I promise you will thank me later.
Choose A Focus, You’re Making Us Dizzy.
This is honestly one of the biggest pitfalls I see with so many of my entrepreneurial sidekicks. I find it typically comes from being afraid to take a risk and stick to what you truly love, because one may feel worried that other people will not agree. So instead of putting all your eggs in one powerful basket, you put one egg in multiple not-so-interesting and often weak baskets. Cut it out! If you are going to take this step and go after your dreams, then do it. Don’t pretend that you are doing it.
If you remember to take these tools with you on your entrepreneurial journey then I know you will be just fine. Find those people in your life who love and support you no matter what and lean on them throughout this process too, they want you to succeed and will be sure to keep you in check which is an invaluable asset when going off in to the world to make your dreams a reality. Good Luck!
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
What have you accepted in your life that took time, physically or mentally?
I have accepted that I have a curvy body! I am not a toothpick and I never will be, all I need to do is take care of my body and it will continue to take care of me.
What do you appreciate about yourself and within your life?
I appreciate that I take the time to get to the root of what is really going on in every situation. I don’t just assume or jump to conclusions, I take my time and do the work to authentically figure out the truth in situations.
What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? What goals do you still have?
One of my most rewarding achievements is starting Bella Life and turning this experience in to getting my own talk show. I still have goals to grow my site to an even bigger one and to fully monetize the site.
What is your not-so-perfect way? What imperfections and quirks create your Identity?
My not-so-perfect way is that I am really sensitive. I always say it is a blessing and some times a “curse”. Because I am sensitive it makes me much more compassionate and kinder to others, but it also has me take things so much more personally which can get tricky!
How would you complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
I love my FRIENDS. I feel so incredibly blessed to have close friends that I can lean on for any and everything.
