The other day I was chatting with a friend and she said she was ready to look for a new job opportunity. She mentioned how even after a promotion, she just still wasn’t happy. She felt tied down with a 50 plus hour work week in a job she no longer had passion for and in a place where the atmosphere was destroying her positive outlook. Then she said something that threw me off. She said, if only I had the braveness you did, I would go out on my own too. I began to chuckle. Braveness? I thought to myself…I replied back with, “do you mean craziness?”Then we both laughed.
In all honestly, owning your own business isn’t as easy as it looks. Sometimes it feels like it’s a lot more work than I ever had when I worked for someone else. The thing that never changes though? I absolutely love what I do and I am always passionate about whatever I’m doing. I was reminded recently what it takes to go out on your own and make it happen. It’s definitely not for everyone. My reminder came from a simple lemonade stand…
It had been raining off and on and definitely was not a day to be outside. I happened to be walking home from yoga, sans umbrella, and was definitely getting a little soaked by the out of the blue summer storm. Then I saw the most incredible display of hard work , determination, ambition, commitment, dedication and future entrepreneurship in America. Three boys, around the ages of 8-10, had set-up a lemonade stand on the sidewalk and had umbrellas to keep them dry. They were determined to succeed no matter what the challenge. As I walked by I offered them whatever change I had in my bag ($1.30). They asked what I preferred, a cookie or lemonade? I said “nothing.” I told them I just wanted to support their entrepreneurial spirit. One of the boys then told me to at least take the complimentary jolly rancher. I smiled, told them they were doing a great job and went about my way. I thought about that interaction all weekend. It reminded me about the Top 5 traits someone once shared with me before starting my own business. They told me, unless you possess these, you will not succeed. Those boys are starting early and I have no doubt one day they will be on the cover of Forbes or Time.
So, what are those 5 traits I was told make a successful entrepreneur?
- Be Passionate
- Be Committed
- Be Giving
- Be Understanding
- Be Flexible and Open to Change
Owning your own business isn’t for everyone but applying these rules can be. I have found that when you commit to living by those 5 traits, everything gets even better. It’s like making lemons into lemonade.
Jaime Marco is the owner and President of Evolve Business Consulting. Jaime is a graduate of the University of Central Florida in Orlando and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Interpersonal Communications. Jaime has an established, comprehensive, and proven background in sales, branding, training & development, leadership coaching, facilitation, change management, business development and professional speaking – experience that she has cultivated over many years.
Great advice Jaime. I’m going to share with my kids.