Do you ever wonder why some people are successful and you are not?
Does it seem like a mysterious thing and that successful people are either lucky, gifted or they have consulted some dark forces.
Success as an entrepreneur and in life is simple. Just copy or Benchmark or follow Best Practice. Pablo Picasso said it best, “Good artist borrow, great artist steal.”
In this blog post I will give you three tips or mantras that successful entrepreneurs live by. You will feel empowered to confidently follow your dreams of being a successful entrepreneur.
Having been in business for over 22years in various industries I came to observe that success is simple. Just look at what another successful person or business is doing and copy, follow best practice or Benchmark.
I moved to Canada in March 2013.Before I landed, I had already made up my mind that I am going to be an entrepreneur. Therefore, my goal was to find a successful company that I can work in briefly, learn what I need to learn and then branch out.
That is exactly what I did. I landed here and I went to a job fair. There was a company that was recruiting independent contractors to sell and do lawn aeration. The terms were that they give you a section of a neighbourhood, you knock doors there sell the service and when you find a willing homeowner, you do the lawn aeration services and they pay you.
In the evening, the company give you a percentage of the sales. The company made seven figures in gross revenue per season from a simple idea. The company was successful and growing fast I worked with them for a year and saw gaps that I could fill. I then left them and started my business the following year. Initially my business model borrowed a lot from my previous employer however I started to innovate and improve on my systems.
You may be wondering that it is unethical to copy? No, there is more than enough for everyone in any business. Business is a game, and it is survival for the strategic. To thrive you need to be thinking how do I, out-smart, out-work, out-sell, out-market, out-service my competition. It is not unethical to win a football game.
What tips can you take from my story?
(1) Successful people in any industry or area in life learn from others. That is why we have mentors or coaches. Some time back you learnt by being an apprentice to an expert or a master. You worked with him for several years to master the skill. In our times, study successful people, act, review, improve and then repeat until you succeed.
(2) Second mantra is that Successful entrepreneurs are consistent. Once they set their eyes on the goal, they consistently work towards achieving it. They do not give any excuses. You may not be the strongest, most talented or the brightest, but you are the most consistent and persistent. Calvin Coolidge said,” “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
(3) Third tip is that successful entrepreneurs are innovative. They are adaptive to the environment that they operate in. They listen to the feedback from the customers and then adapt their businesses to solve the customers problem. In the last 34 months, the business landscape has changed radically due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some businesses have been eradicated completely. The once that are surviving and thriving are the once that have decided to adapt and be innovative. For instance, alcohol and wine producers have decided to make and sell hand sanitizers. Singapore Airlines sells out meals on parked plane. Some restaurants have decided to offer home delivery services.
Success is indeed simple. Do you remember your days in school when you had open book tests? Success is the same. Look at someone who has succeeded. That is the answer ,then copy, or follow best practices from them, be consistent and persistent and finally innovate and solve the customers problems.
I trust that now all the mystery has been eliminated and now you feel confident to pursue your dream as an entrepreneur.
Achieve Success ~ Do it on Purpose
Patrick Juma Owino
