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My first job in high school was at one of our local fast food restaurants, and within six months, I had a different job working at one of the local supermarkets, where I continued to work through high school and college. Over the last 25 years, I have held numerous jobs in various industries with many responsibilities.
Aside from motherhood, no “job” has been as extreme or challenging as becoming a business owner. The rewards are more minor but carry more meaning. Every piece of education is “on-the-job training,” and there is some solace in knowing (believing) that most will never know of your mistakes.
No matter the industry or type of business, every entrepreneur develops one thing…the same mindset.
No one teaches us how to have it, but it becomes pretty necessary as soon as we open our doors to the public or offer our services. I’m sure some books can guide us, but it can be pretty challenging to change how one thinks, processes information, and puts things into action—all when none of those have ever been done.
As an entrepreneur, I know the diligence I need to have to make my business successful; every day, that is my goal. Some days, I accomplish nothing, even though I have been sitting at my desk for over 8 hours (or more).
Seven ways to better understand the entrepreneur you know:
1. We are our worst critic
In our world, no one could demand more of our performance than we do. If we get a bad review, we are embarrassed by it and will do what we can to rectify it. In some workplaces, people will place blame and find excuses for poor performance or lack of attention when it comes to projects being done correctly and on time. However, there are no excuses when you own your own business. There is no one to blame but yourself. Our level of standards and expectations of perfection supersede any that your boss just placed on you. You see, we are the boss and the employee.
2. We are always “on the job.”
When you are an entrepreneur, you are always working. We might be away from our office, even out on a date with our spouse, and something will remind us of something we need to get done or create an entirely new idea that we need to explore more. Too often, my husband has rolled over at 3 am only to catch me sending myself an email regarding something I just thought of that I know I will forget when I get up in the morning. Little triggers throughout everyday life catch us off guard, and most people, can dismiss them and let them go. Afraid we might miss out on some great new display at the store, or looking for ways to improve a process, is a never-ending task for the company’s owner.
3. Some days, we need a good cry
Believe it or not, some days are more complex than others. Sometimes, we aren’t sure why, but we know we will feel better afterward. It’s not because we aren’t challenging or want to quit. It’s because we are human. Working so hard on something, day in and day out, is emotionally exhausting. It wears on us, and we carry it with us, even if we think it’s not there. The feeling of being overwhelmed can drain every ounce of energy we woke up with and will stress us out more than any deadline given to us in a traditional job. If the tears don’t come, sometimes a quick escape to have a beer or two with a friend works just as well.
4. Business is personal
People have said that “business is just business.” But every business has been built and created because of a dream or vision. Someone thought of it before it became a reality. That makes it personal. We created something that didn’t exist before and built it into what you see today. The roads we have taken may have been the right ones that included being at the right place at the right time, and other routes included mistakes we wish we had known better never to have taken. So every decision, every act, every thought brought into a business comes from someone…and that someone is more often than not the business owner.
5. We celebrate the little success
Most of us didn’t start our businesses to win some outstanding award or make a million dollars in our first year. We face many hurdles and take more chances than anyone else. We know what’s at stake. We see the amount of effort and time we have committed to building this business, so the little things that move us forward in the direction of those same goals are ones we cherish. Maybe they aren’t something most consumers notice immediately, but we know we did something pretty exciting. Those tiny little validations our way become treasured moments; sometimes, those dates become celebrated anniversaries for years to come.
6. We don’t sleep well
In some cases, sleep might even be optional. We are the first ones to arrive and the last ones to leave. Even after we head home, we are bombarded with work we just didn’t get done. When we aren’t hanging out with customers, meeting potential clients, or doing “grunge” work, we might want to steal a quick 20-minute power nap. Every day, getting to bed after 11 pm and up by 5 am will take its toll on our minds and bodies. Some of our worst habits result from not taking care of ourselves, and getting enough sleep doesn’t make it on the “To Do” list for the day. Right? Sleep? We have too much to do to waste our time sleeping.
7. We have great support
There is no way any entrepreneur could do what they do without the permission of great people. Whether those are family or friends, knowing we have people who encourage our dreams and cheer for us, no matter what kind of a day we are having, reminds us of what matters to keep moving forward. Sometimes that support comes from investors, the loan officer at the bank, or your neighbors in the same strip mall. Our business could not keep growing and expanding if people didn’t believe in us. We don’t always tell you, but we are ever grateful and humbled every day.
The people who choose to take their dream and make it real will always inspire the rest of the world for various reasons. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to become an entrepreneur. The commitment to moving forward, picking yourself back up, and trying something new is extraordinary. Believing in one’s ability and skill takes excellent faith and great hope. However, once you choose that lifestyle, it changes you. Maybe not at first. Perhaps you don’t even notice it. Maybe you can’t explain it. A room full of entrepreneurs will always have one thing in common, and that elite group always understands what it takes to own and run your own business.
