So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?

 

The heights by great men reached and kept

Were not attained by sudden flight,

But they, while their companions slept,

Were toiling upward in the night.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Ladder of St. Augustine”

 

This week our studies in class were titled “So You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?”.  The readings this week were excellent.  Life tends to be a stern taskmaster, and especially if you aspire to create something of excellence.  The assigned articles were a good reminder that it takes more than an idea or talent to start and run a business.  Significant self mastery, industry knowledge, operational knowledge, planning, market analysis, marketing and salesmanship will all be required and likely more.  The ability to manage all of it and move forward isn’t an easy thing to do. 

Time management and discipline in keeping an ideal schedule each week are going to be critical to keep everything working.  It doesn’t take long before the chaos of poor time management can cause significant problems with relationships and responsibilities.  The stress of chaos can sap creativity to solve problems.  The “toiling upward in the night” for me translates into a willingness to do what others are not willing to do. 

It's left me with sense of awe for those that are able to create a business out of nothing and then maintain or grow it.  As I consider all of this, it has occurred to me how much easier this could all be with a dedicated partner.  Someone who has complimentary skillsets and the same moral compass.  I don’t enjoy working by myself all that much and I believe I would enjoy working on and in a small business with a partner or partners.  At very least establish some good mentors to run ideas past. 

In the end though, this life was designed to be an experiential learning environment.  The days will pass anyway, so let’s use them pushing the borders of our knowledge and by acting on faith.