Three things I’ve learned on my entrepreneurial journey so far
en·tre·pre·neur
noun
: “a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.”
from Dictionary.com
A proud moment.
On 31 December 2020 I officially embraced the title of entrepreneur by issuing my very first invoice for a minuscule writing gig. With that small gesture, Adel Tipora Consulting Inc., a vague idea that had been percolating for months, was born on paper. It would take another three months for me to fully commit to the idea by formally registering with the proper authorities.
Adel Tipora Consulting Inc., “the spark your business needs to take-off”, is a creative strategy agency supporting small, minority owned businesses with strategy development and brand building.
After some time in business I am ready to take it to the next level but not before actively reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned so far on my entrepreneurial journey.
Lesson #1: It is true what they say, the biggest obstacle on your path to success is you.
The uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship has shown a very bright, unflattering light on my deepest insecurities, most of them related to a lack of self-belief and low self-worth. I am confronted with these insecurities every time I wonder if I can do it or cringe at the idea of raising my prices. Here’s the thing: entrepreneurship demands unfailing confidence in your abilities and ideas. You cannot hesitate when you’re explaining your value to a potential client and you cannot, should not lowball yourself when it comes to what you’re worth. What I’m learning first hand is that confidence sells and that there is always someone willing to pay the price. Set it as high as your sense of self-worth. Deliver real value to your clients.
Lesson #2: Learn to flow.
The very essence of entrepreneurship is closely tied to hustle mentality in today’s world. The idea that you can only achieve success by working tirelessly and relentlessly. No rest for the wicked right? As someone who likes to move slowly and leisurely through life I’ve struggled with embracing the hustle mentality and this has sometimes led to feelings of guilt and shame for not doing enough. I’m not exactly lazy, I just don’t like to work hard for working hard sake. Isn’t that what they call “spinning your wheels”? I prefer to move strategically and purposely, putting in the right amount of effort at the right time for maximum effect. What I am learning in business is that if you pay close attention you’ll always know when it’s time to hustle and when it’s time to flow. What do I mean by this? I mean sometimes you have to put in maximum effort because the opportunity is ripe. You don’t hesitate in this moment, you seize the opportunity and you ride it to the finish. The trick is recognizing when it’s time to flow, when putting in more effort won’t lead necessarily to greater results. In this instance you allow your instincts to shift your attention to another ripe opportunity or simply rest while you wait to reap the benefits of your hustle. Admittedly, it can be difficult to rest comfortably in flow especially when others around you are in hustle mode but you can’t worry about others or compare yourself to them. We all have our unique cycles and you’ll know when it’s your time to go beast mode. Life is about giving and receiving. Business is no different.
Lesson #3: You can be both expert and student.
I think a myth in our society is that an an “expert” or “professional” is necessarily someone who has spent years in a specific area of study honing in their skills and knowledge. While this is true, I prefer to think of an expert or professional as someone who knows more about a particular subject area than I do regardless of when and how they came about this knowledge. I learned this from Chris Do of the Futur. This relaxed definition is so much more forgiving and empowering when you’re new to entrepreneurship and gives you permission to embrace the label of expert and student simultaneously. I’m learning not to hide my “student” status or allow it to derail me from my entrepreneurial goals. In fact, the best way to learn is by doing and this is paramount when you’re entering a new career like I am. My expertise comes from the culmination of the knowledge gathered through a combination of education and experience and my willingness to grow, learn and become certified where I am lacking. I’m embracing my greenness as I plow along with Adel Tipora Consulting Inc. affectionately ATC Inc. recognizing that I am most fertile at this time; as a student of my craft.
BONUS Lesson #4: Your ideas will take longer than you anticipate to unfold.
If you’re an entrepreneur you’ll know that we’re always bursting with ideas. The thrill is after all in potentiality. The truth however is that a lot of these ideas will stagnate and will have to go on the back burner until the time comes again to move on them. Of course it doesn’t feel this way when you first get them. It feels so exciting and so ingenious that you think you can yank it down from the abyss and into the material in time for tomorrow. That is, until you start. I’m learning that ideas need to percolate before they can be birthed and that’s okay. Now, when I get an idea I know to think of it as a heads up, a small glimpse into the potentiality that awaits me.
