7 answers
Maxwell
Student
Kansas City, Missouri
1
Question
Updated
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What are some tips to become an entrepreneur and where should I start my journey?
What are some tips to become an entrepreneur and where should I start my journey?
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7 answers
Kendall Gunkel
Account Executive
4
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Kendall’s Answer
Learn how to sell. How do you sell yourself, how do you sell your ideas, product, services.
Find a mentor! Talk to someone who has already done the things you are looking to accomplish & ask how they got there.
Determine what type of business you want to start:
- tech company
- lawn mowing company
- owning & managing real estate
Books to consider:
The One Minute Sales Person
The Challenger Sale
Never Split the Difference
Find a mentor! Talk to someone who has already done the things you are looking to accomplish & ask how they got there.
Determine what type of business you want to start:
- tech company
- lawn mowing company
- owning & managing real estate
Books to consider:
The One Minute Sales Person
The Challenger Sale
Never Split the Difference
Megan Couper
Account Executive
6
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hello Maxwell,
I would strongly suggest seeking out a mentor who has experienced both the highs and lows of launching their own business or venture. This will provide you with a deeper insight into the world of entrepreneurship. Moreover, it's crucial to communicate effectively about your venture. Inspiring others to believe in your concept is the key to propelling your business ideas forward and turning them into reality.
I would strongly suggest seeking out a mentor who has experienced both the highs and lows of launching their own business or venture. This will provide you with a deeper insight into the world of entrepreneurship. Moreover, it's crucial to communicate effectively about your venture. Inspiring others to believe in your concept is the key to propelling your business ideas forward and turning them into reality.
Robbie Randall
Partner Sales Leader
1
Answer
Plano, Texas
Updated
Robbie’s Answer
Embarking on the journey to become an entrepreneur is an exciting endeavor! 🚀 It all starts with understanding your 'Why'. This is the core reason behind your desire to start a business. It's what will keep you motivated during challenging times.
Next, find a mentor. This person should be someone who has walked the path and can provide invaluable guidance and support. Don't hesitate to seek professional services as well, such as advisors, bookkeepers, and tax professionals. They can help you navigate the complexities of starting a business. 🧭
Now, let's talk about your idea. What is it that you specifically want to do? What are you good at? What do you want to spend all of your time doing? These questions will help you refine your business concept and identify your unique selling proposition.
Building a network is crucial in entrepreneurship. It opens doors to potential investors, partners, and customers. Speaking of investors, securing capital is another important step. Whether it's through bootstrapping, loans, or investor funding, having the necessary financial resources is key. 💰
Understanding your market is also vital. Who is your target customer? Who are your competitors? Conducting market research, including a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), will provide insights into where your business fits in the market landscape.
Lastly, consider your ideal business size. Do you want to be a solopreneur or do you envision a small, medium, or large enterprise? This will influence your business strategy and goals.
Remember, every successful entrepreneur started where you are now. Believe in yourself and your vision. You have what it takes to make it happen! 💪🌟
Next, find a mentor. This person should be someone who has walked the path and can provide invaluable guidance and support. Don't hesitate to seek professional services as well, such as advisors, bookkeepers, and tax professionals. They can help you navigate the complexities of starting a business. 🧭
Now, let's talk about your idea. What is it that you specifically want to do? What are you good at? What do you want to spend all of your time doing? These questions will help you refine your business concept and identify your unique selling proposition.
Building a network is crucial in entrepreneurship. It opens doors to potential investors, partners, and customers. Speaking of investors, securing capital is another important step. Whether it's through bootstrapping, loans, or investor funding, having the necessary financial resources is key. 💰
Understanding your market is also vital. Who is your target customer? Who are your competitors? Conducting market research, including a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), will provide insights into where your business fits in the market landscape.
Lastly, consider your ideal business size. Do you want to be a solopreneur or do you envision a small, medium, or large enterprise? This will influence your business strategy and goals.
Remember, every successful entrepreneur started where you are now. Believe in yourself and your vision. You have what it takes to make it happen! 💪🌟
Eileen Demetrio
Support Planner
5
Answers
Renton, Washington
Updated
Eileen’s Answer
Here are some ideas for you to consider. Wishing you the best with your journey!
Start by identifying your passion and the problems you want to solve. Successful businesses often emerge from addressing real needs or pursuing a personal interest.
Conduct thorough market research to understand your industry, target audience, competition, and potential challenges. This information will help you make informed decisions.
Before fully committing, validate your business idea. Talk to potential customers, seek feedback, and consider creating a minimum viable product (MVP) to test the concept.
Create a comprehensive business plan that outlines your vision, mission, goals, financial projections, and strategies. A solid business plan is essential for attracting investors and guiding your efforts.
Connect with mentors, advisors, and other entrepreneurs who can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights.
Start Small. Many successful businesses started as small, home-based operations. Begin with what you have and scale as your business grows.
Develop a compelling brand identity, including a memorable name, logo, and brand values that resonate with your target audience.
Develop a marketing strategy that reaches your ideal customers. This could include digital marketing, content creation, social media, and more.
Make customer satisfaction a top priority. Listen to customer feedback and adapt your business accordingly.
Start by identifying your passion and the problems you want to solve. Successful businesses often emerge from addressing real needs or pursuing a personal interest.
Conduct thorough market research to understand your industry, target audience, competition, and potential challenges. This information will help you make informed decisions.
Before fully committing, validate your business idea. Talk to potential customers, seek feedback, and consider creating a minimum viable product (MVP) to test the concept.
Create a comprehensive business plan that outlines your vision, mission, goals, financial projections, and strategies. A solid business plan is essential for attracting investors and guiding your efforts.
Connect with mentors, advisors, and other entrepreneurs who can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights.
Start Small. Many successful businesses started as small, home-based operations. Begin with what you have and scale as your business grows.
Develop a compelling brand identity, including a memorable name, logo, and brand values that resonate with your target audience.
Develop a marketing strategy that reaches your ideal customers. This could include digital marketing, content creation, social media, and more.
Make customer satisfaction a top priority. Listen to customer feedback and adapt your business accordingly.
Kelcie Schofield
Partner Development Manager
2
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Kelcie’s Answer
Hi Maxwell -
My first piece of advice is to acknowledge that as a career choice, entrepreneurship can be a rewarding and fulfilling. It can also be lonely. Being prepared for the highs and lows that come with entrepreneurship is essential for success.
Second, examine your life. Think about what you interact with regularly and how it could be improved. Sometimes the best ideas are simple.
Third, I would surround yourself with mentors, friends, and family who will give you lovingly critical feedback. It is essential that you have an external viewpoint. When you get an idea for a business, you need to gut check it with people who will give you honest and hard feedback, even if you don't want to hear it. You should continually get feedback from this group of trusted advisors who will give you the tough love you need.
Finally, once you've got your idea and have run it through your advisors, ensure you have 1. Company Mission, 2. Company Values, and 3. Business Plan. All of these will be your guiding principles for decisions you make throughout your entrepreneurship journey.
My first piece of advice is to acknowledge that as a career choice, entrepreneurship can be a rewarding and fulfilling. It can also be lonely. Being prepared for the highs and lows that come with entrepreneurship is essential for success.
Second, examine your life. Think about what you interact with regularly and how it could be improved. Sometimes the best ideas are simple.
Third, I would surround yourself with mentors, friends, and family who will give you lovingly critical feedback. It is essential that you have an external viewpoint. When you get an idea for a business, you need to gut check it with people who will give you honest and hard feedback, even if you don't want to hear it. You should continually get feedback from this group of trusted advisors who will give you the tough love you need.
Finally, once you've got your idea and have run it through your advisors, ensure you have 1. Company Mission, 2. Company Values, and 3. Business Plan. All of these will be your guiding principles for decisions you make throughout your entrepreneurship journey.
David Olivier
Account Executive (Sales)
5
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
David’s Answer
There are a lot of great answers here Maxwell, I agree that selling as mentioned is a fantastic starting point. One of the most effective ways to learn this skill, apart from reading books on sales techniques, is to gain firsthand experience. I suggest you consider an internship or an entry-level position in a company you admire.
Find a mentor within the company and strive to understand the workings of the different departments and roles. Use the knowledge and skills you acquire to enhance your own business. Even the most brilliant business ideas require the entrepreneur to have a deep understanding of product selling, business scaling, budgeting, and other skills. These can be learned from spending a few years working in another business, be it a small startup or a large corporation.
Next, identify the industry you are passionate about and envision how you would run your own company. Use the network you've started building for guidance and direction. Wishing you the best of luck!
Find a mentor within the company and strive to understand the workings of the different departments and roles. Use the knowledge and skills you acquire to enhance your own business. Even the most brilliant business ideas require the entrepreneur to have a deep understanding of product selling, business scaling, budgeting, and other skills. These can be learned from spending a few years working in another business, be it a small startup or a large corporation.
Next, identify the industry you are passionate about and envision how you would run your own company. Use the network you've started building for guidance and direction. Wishing you the best of luck!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1817
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you would like to become an entrepreneur. Have you thought about what industry you would like to start your business.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about the industry you have interest or you have strength
2. Do some analysis on the industry, eg the entry criteria, competition status, any alternative) substitute, etc
3. Attend the relevant courses and management course
4. Work in the industry some time to understand the business model and establish people network
5. Start the business online first if it is possible
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Think about the industry you have interest or you have strength
2. Do some analysis on the industry, eg the entry criteria, competition status, any alternative) substitute, etc
3. Attend the relevant courses and management course
4. Work in the industry some time to understand the business model and establish people network
5. Start the business online first if it is possible
Hope this helps! Good Luck!