Wise Wednesdays -- Obama & Entrepreneurs

Like most people I gathered with my peers to watch Obama’s inauguration yesterday. What struck me was how Obama was open to change while holding steadfast to his values. He has ideals without being ideological. He has a dream but understands that dreams are achieved one day at a time. He reaches for the stars but has his feet firmly planted on the ground.

What does this have to do with starting a business? A heck of a lot. Many people who start a business have a set vision, a set of expectations of how the process is suppose to unfold: When the business will open, how much money it will make etc. It rarely goes the way one plans. The loan for the shop you wanted to open doesn’t come through; the clients you thought you’d get for your web developing business falls through; the advertising you thought would work for your photography business doesn’t.

A great trait for an entrepreneur is the humility to change their approach and attitude while being steadfast to what matters. What matters is delivering a product or service that the customer wants (not what you think they need). And feel proud about it. Businesses evolve. What you end up with is not what you start with.

In many ways it’s about removing “blinders” – your attachment to how it’s suppose to happen and when. In reality that depends on a lot of factors. Some of them in your control, some not.

Although Obama was addressing a nation, his words could have been addressing a group of aspiring entrepreneurs, “…It has not been a path for the faint-hearted – for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things …”

Here’s hoping you get inspired by Obama’s speech to reach for your star while keeping your feet firmly planted on the ground.

This weeks Wise Question: What is more important than being independent for an entrepreneur? Find out next week.

Cheers,

Dominik