Best Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
Feb. 7th 2010
We’ve assembled some top tips for young entrepreneurs from a few of our dedicated members.
We asked them: What would be your best advice for a young, passionate entrepreneur or would-be entrepreneur?
Joe Ornato – Founder, Ornato Group
Create a backstage process. Write down all the steps that it will take to give your customer the ultimate experience. Natural sales people tend to “do” what they “know” intuitively, without getting into a well-defined process. Building a process allows for: consistency, duplication, organization (of staff), enhanced service, and quick fixes because you can pinpoint errors.
Ricardo Robles – Founder, Capsity Offices
Focus on building strong relationships and learn how to leverage them. It doesn’t hurt to know angel investors, venture capitalists, attorney’s, insurance brokers/agents, real estate brokers, etc. It’s also key to look at building relationships with successful entrepreneurs and have them as mentors.
Laurie Hawkins – Focal Point Coaching
Ensure that you have a “flight plan,” and then execute on that plan. Leverage all the available resources that are available to you – do not let that EGO have a position on your company!
Karl Allen-Muncey, CuteGecko Design Agency
“Eighty percent of success is just showing up.” Network, get involved, and follow through! Networking is about creating relationships and a reputation. Go to community events, and assist other entrepreneurs where possible. This process will cultivate your reputation and exposure as a valuable provider.
McKenzie Scott, Young Entrepreneur
As a young entrepreneur, nothing comes easy. In this stage, persistence is key. Make sure that you are selling your business in a sense that you actually UNDERSTAND what your customer wants. Cater your product/service to the customer’s specific needs rather than having a one-size fits all solution.
Ben Yoskovitz – CEO/Co-Founder, Standout Jobs
First, have a mentor (or two, or three). Find someone that has “been there, done that”. Once you’ve found them, use them. Second, get involved in the startup community. There’s no excuse for not getting involved, participating and networking.
Ashley Bodi – Founder, BusinessBeware.Biz
Never give up! It’s so easy to feel like you’re defeated when trying to start up a business, but don’t let that stop you. You’re going to have ups and downs but it’s what you do with the things that get thrown at you that makes you a better entrepreneur.
Ben Walton – Founder, Tiger Networks
Systemize everything FIRST. Run by the numbers, go faster than everyone else and don’t buy “toys” for your business until you sell up!
Janny Ke – Founder, The NOW Organization
Enjoy the adventure with courage, passion, and perseverance.
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Awesome article Eric! There is some GREAT advice here!
So great of you to highlight the advice of others that are out there learning, do-ing and creating everyday in the business world!
Really enjoyed this one…!
@DeeLynn
Thanks DeAnna – Our members have so much to offer other entrepreneurs, it’s all a matter of getting the word out so that we can collectively help them create new businesses! Very exciting times.
Reading these great comments from all members! Having a plan of attack and executing the plan is the best advice I know. I’ve read that many new entrepreneurs fail because they don’t have a “flight plan” or haven’t really decided to commit to one plan. I find that I stay much more focused when I outline my goals, break them into doable pieces, and make descriptive milestones for achieving each piece of the puzzle. To avoid disappointment, I try to be realistic and not set goals that are obviously too much of a stretch. Possibly, the worst problem I have is ” information overload.” I can become paralyzed when there is too much information whipping by me. I have to work very hard on not wandering away from my game plan. Taking notes on new ideas is the way I remember to go back later and consider new approaches, but continuing with the plan I already have in place is what gets me results. (Unless something is really not working…then I stop to re-think.)