Explaining bits and bytes of startups and entrepreneurship.
Category: Entrepreneurship
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It is through navigating the setbacks that we’ve realized the true strength of resilience and the art of the strategic pivot in entrepreneurship.
We’re Geoff Abraham and Dane Hurtubise, co-founders of Spoken. We took our shared passion for challenging experiences, a dash of our stubbornness, and a sprinkling of our vision to create a venture that’s far from ordinary. Our journey with Spoken has seen its fair share of setbacks and failures, but it is through navigating these rough waters that we’ve realized the true strength of resilience and the art of the strategic pivot.
How Spoken Turned Setbacks into Growth Opportunities
Spoken began in the realm of uncertainty. One particular setback was the arrival of Geoff’s first child. This life-altering event coincided with a realization – our initial idea for Spoken wasn’t working. Here’s how we transformed adversity into a growth opportunity:
The Pivot: We realized that the impending arrival of Geoff’s first child and the stagnant progress of our original idea signaled a time for change. It led us to rethink, replan, and re-strategize, ultimately pivoting to our current, more fruitful idea for Spoken.
Developing a Resilience Mindset: Each setback, including the initial failure of our concept, taught us to perceive obstacles as opportunities, fostering a resilient mindset.
Leveraging Feedback: We harnessed constructive criticism from early users and stakeholders, adapting our service based on their feedback.
3 Strategies for Resilience During Difficult Periods
Like any startup, Spoken faced its fair share of challenging times. From periods of economic downturns to shifts in market dynamics, resilience was our lifeline. Here’s how we navigated these tough periods:
Strong Support Network: We leaned on our support networks, drawing strength and encouragement from friends, family, and fellow entrepreneurs.
Mental Fitness: Mindfulness exercises and maintaining a healthy lifestyle helped us manage stress and keep our focus sharp.
Lifelong Learning: We leveraged each difficult phase as a learning opportunity, acquiring new skills and gaining valuable knowledge to navigate future challenges more efficiently.
Overcoming Self-Doubt and Building Confidence as Entrepreneurs
Doubt and fear are often unwelcome, yet frequent, companions on the entrepreneurial journey. At several points, we questioned our decisions, ideas, and abilities. Here’s how we managed self-doubt and built our confidence:
Embracing Failure: We acknowledged that failure is a part of the journey, not the end of it. This perspective helped us overcome fear and continue moving forward.
Celebrating Wins: We celebrated small victories along the way, boosting our morale and reinforcing our faith in our capabilities.
Mutual Support: We supported each other during times of self-doubt. Trust and support are the pillars of our partnership and played a key role in overcoming self-doubt.
Resilience is a Powerful Trait for Entrepreneurs
Our entrepreneurial journey, filled with setbacks and victories, taught us the essence of resilience. Embracing change, learning from adversity, and overcoming self-doubt have been integral to our growth and success with Spoken. Remember, every stumble is a step forward, as long as you pick yourself up and keep going.
In this blog post, we look at some unique ways entrepreneurs can leverage collaboration to progress their venture while staying true to their mission.
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to set up your own business, then you know that it can be both a rewarding and daunting experience. You have dreams of success, but the idea of going solo can also feel overwhelming and leave you feeling like there must be another way. Thankfully, there are a variety of different options available for entrepreneurs who don’t want to do it alone: from finding mentors in your industry niche or joining a co-working space with like-minded individuals, all helping to provide the resources and support needed to get off the ground. In this blog post, we look at some unique ways entrepreneurs can leverage collaboration to progress their venture while staying true to their mission.
Why Working with a Mentor Can Help You Succeed as an Entrepreneur
Having a mentor as you embark on your entrepreneurial journey can greatly increase your chances of success, as this knowledgeable guide can offer invaluable insights and lessons from their own experiences. These seasoned individuals, deeply invested in your development, provide ongoing support and encouragement, which, in turn, inspires confidence and motivation. As entrepreneurs face many challenges, a mentor, with their expertise and professional network, can help address problems, discover opportunities, and push you towards growth, all without holding your hand. You can try Freedom Business Mentoring. Moreover, a mentor’s impartial, honest feedback enables you to assess your progress and make adjustments along the way objectively. A mentor-mentee relationship is truly a partnership, where both parties collaborate to cultivate the best version of yourself, equipping you with essential skills to turn your entrepreneurial aspirations into sustainable ventures.
How to Choose the Right Mentor
Embarking on the quest to find the right mentor can be an exhilarating journey filled with opportunities for personal and professional growth. As you traverse this path with enthusiasm, it’s essential to consider various factors to guide your decision. Begin by evaluating your goals and desires, as this will lead to a mentor who aligns with your aspirations, thus propelling you toward success. It’s crucial to seek out someone who possesses not only proven expertise in your area of interest but also demonstrates strong communication skills and genuine dedication to providing guidance. As you nurture this relationship and collaborate towards achieving your objectives, it’s vital to maintain open channels for feedback, ensuring that both parties benefit from this fruitful alliance. By diligently examining these key elements, you will undoubtedly discover the perfect mentor to illuminate your way to extraordinary accomplishment.
Tips for Finding the Right Co-Founder or Partner
Finding the right co-founder or partner can be a crucial step in launching a successful business. It’s essential to partner with someone who complements your skill set, shares your vision, and is equally committed to the venture. Begin by thoroughly evaluating your own strengths and weaknesses to understand what kind of support you’ll need. Tap into your network and attend industry events, as like-minded individuals are likely to share your passion and bring valuable insights to the table. Don’t hesitate to conduct rigorous interviews and seek references, as it’s important to measure the compatibility between you and your potential partner. Moreover, open communication, shared values, and a strong work ethic can help create a resilient bond that stands the test of time, ultimately contributing to the success of your startup.
Benefits of Looking at Franchising
Delving into the world of franchising can open up a plethora of opportunities that are not only financially rewarding but also empowering for aspiring entrepreneurs. As you explore the domain of business franchise, you discover that franchising offers a reliable and tested business model with a proven track record of success. It eliminates many of the risks associated with starting a business from scratch by providing an established brand identity, operational resources, support, and training from the parent company. This enables franchisees to hit the ground running and focus on growing their business while benefiting from the wealth of experience that the franchisor brings to the table. Not only does this intricate network of partnerships foster a sense of camaraderie and shared goals, but it also provides a platform for budding entrepreneurs to thrive and excel on their journey to financial independence and business mastery.
Advantages of Working with Other Entrepreneurs
Working alongside fellow entrepreneurs presents a myriad of outstanding advantages that fosters individual and collective growth. It creates an enriching environment where business owners can tap into diverse skill sets, share innovative ideas, and learn valuable insights from others who have experienced similar challenges. Networking with fellow entrepreneurs not only expands your personal and professional connections but also presents opportunities to collaborate on novel projects and generate joint ventures. Furthermore, engaging with other entrepreneurs can provide a supportive community that encourages resilience during challenging times and celebrates successes, which is vital for personal and professional development. Ultimately, joining forces with other entrepreneurs is a key ingredient in fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers individuals to reach their potential and contribute to the success of others.
Networking and Collaboration Strategies for Entrepreneurs
The exhilarating world of entrepreneurship can be both immensely rewarding and challenging, and for many aspiring entrepreneurs, cultivating strong networking and collaboration strategies is a key ingredient to success. By actively engaging with like-minded individuals, we not only expand our knowledge and resources but also foster invaluable relationships that can propel our business ventures to new heights. Networking events, online forums, and workshops offer ideal spaces to mingle with fellow entrepreneurs, share ideas, and brainstorm innovative solutions. Moreover, establishing strategic collaborations can open doors to new markets, leading to profitable partnerships that can transform our businesses. So, as we navigate the ever-evolving entrepreneurial landscape, it’s crucial to embrace networking and collaboration opportunities, as they can be a powerful driving force behind our long-term success.
It takes an amazing amount of confidence and passion to succeed as an entrepreneur. While the path to success can be difficult, uncertain, and sometimes lonely, you don’t have to go it alone – partners, mentors, co-founders, and networks of other entrepreneurs can help you along the way. With the right advice, guidance, and support from trusted advisors and colleagues, you can become a successful business owner with a thriving company. So if you want to make your entrepreneurial goal a reality, don’t hesitate to reach out for help and ask questions along the way. Get connected with other professionals in your field who understand how hard this journey is but also how worth it the rewards can be. With strategic planning and determination, backed by those around you that share your same drive towards success, anything is possible!
If you are thinking about becoming a business owner or you are already in this role and want to improve, here is a quick guide to help you achieve this.
Many factors can impact a business’s success, and sometimes these are out of your control. Although you might not be able to do much about the health of the global economy or other circumstances that can impact your business operations, you can make sure you are doing everything in your power to be a strong and successful leader. If you are thinking about becoming a business owner or you are already in this role and want to improve, here is a quick guide to help you achieve this.
Education Is Invaluable
Work experience within the industry your business is in, particularly in managerial roles, will benefit you as you start this new venture. However, this is not the only learning experience that you should make the most of. Consider returning to college to get a degree in business management or another program that you think would be useful and relevant to the company you’re establishing. You can fit your studies around your work if you enroll in an online degree program if this will be an easier approach for you. Look at these Point Park online degrees as an example of what’s on offer.
Understand Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Further education can help you bridge some gaps in your skillset, as well as gain more insight into the responsibilities of a business owner or the industry you are working in. This is a great step, but you should take the time to consider what other strengths and weaknesses you might have. This could be working on your interpersonal skills as a leader, as you will need to make sure that your teams understand what is expected of them and that they feel respected. You might want to learn more about managing business finances or improving your time management. Don’t forget to remind yourself of your strengths, too, as this can help boost your confidence and utilize them to see better results for your company.
Don’t Micromanage
When you start a new business, it is easy to worry about every aspect of your operations and struggle to relinquish control. If you have hired a team of staff to help you run your business, you need to be able to trust them to do the work that they are responsible for. Avoid micromanaging your employees, as this can create unnecessary pressure and frustration, ultimately creating a toxic working environment. Furthermore, this approach doesn’t allow your staff to grow professionally, which can hold them back. This can be detrimental to your company, so as hard as it might be at times, make sure you are delegating tasks to your staff and letting them get on with their work without breathing down their necks.
There are other things you can do to improve your performance as a business owner, but the tips above are all good places to start. Remember, you might not be able to control external forces that can affect your company, but you can work hard to be a respected and inspirational leader for your team.
With the advent of digital technologies and the government’s push towards entrepreneurship, India has become a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship and startup culture in India have been growing rapidly over the past decade. With the advent of digital technologies and the government’s push towards entrepreneurship, India has become a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The future of entrepreneurship and startup culture in India is looking bright as the country continues to evolve and adapt to the changing business landscape.
Government Promoting Entrepreneurship
One of the biggest drivers of entrepreneurship and startup culture in India is the government’s focus on promoting entrepreneurship. The government has been actively promoting entrepreneurship through various initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India, and Digital India. These initiatives have helped to create a conducive environment for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. Additionally, the government has also been working to improve the ease of doing business in India, which has helped to attract more investors and entrepreneurs to the country.
Growing Digital Ecosystem
Another major driver of entrepreneurship and startup culture in India is the growing digital ecosystem in the country. With the increasing penetration of the internet and mobile technologies, more and more people have access to digital tools and platforms that can be used to start and grow businesses. This has led to the emergence of a number of digital startups that are taking advantage of the digital ecosystem to create innovative products and services.
Investment
The emergence of the Indian startup ecosystem has also led to the creation of a number of venture capital firms and angel investors that are investing in startups. This has helped to provide startups with the necessary capital and resources to grow their businesses. Additionally, the startup ecosystem has also led to the creation of a number of incubation and acceleration programs that provide startups with mentorship and support.
One of the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurship and startup culture in India is the lack of access to funding. Many startups in India struggle to secure funding, which can be a major obstacle to their growth and success. However, this is gradually changing as more and more venture capital firms and angel investors are investing in startups in India. Additionally, the government is also working to improve the ease of doing business in India, which will help to attract more investors and entrepreneurs to the country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the future of entrepreneurship and startup culture in India is looking bright as the country continues to evolve and adapt to the changing business landscape. With the government’s focus on promoting entrepreneurship, the growing digital ecosystem, and the emergence of the Indian startup ecosystem, the opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups in India are increasing. Additionally, the government is also working to improve the ease of doing business in India, which will help to attract more investors and entrepreneurs to the country. As a result, the future of entrepreneurship and startup culture in India is looking very promising.
An entrepreneur should build a strong case first by getting to know someone from the company and then approaching the VC in their area of interest.
Each day venture capitalists and investors receive over hundreds of cold emails and meeting requests from start-up founders and small time entrepreneurs. It is difficult for VCs to process and select the start-up they want to fund that way. Instead, an entrepreneur should build a strong case first by getting to know someone from the company and then approaching the VC in their area of interest.
In the following ways, you can look out to attract more VCs for funding:
1. Innovative solution to a problem
Focusing on the problem and devising a solution is the key to getting more investors for your venture. In this era of cut-throat competition, simply coming up with a new idea isn’t sufficient. The idea needs to be worked on and presented in a complete manner with business suggestions, marketing tactics and target group mentioned in a well-compiled presentation. VCs will choose the most differentiated and rounded appeal which they find will enhance their chances of making profits as well. A revamped version of a done and dusted idea will instantly be rejected by the VC.
For instance, OYO rooms was a completely different and innovative idea which is why they have huge investors like GreenOaks, Sequoia Capital etc.
2. Assumptions must be challenged on a continuous basis
Start-ups often stick to the original plan they have devised which is why they don’t grow with time. However, the basic thesis must be challenged from time to time as the markets are dynamic and constantly evolving. Assumptions must be proven or eliminated through basic research methods for a more rounded understanding of the business.
Once you are clear with all the factors related to your business, pitching to a VC becomes easier for you and the VC is also clear about what he investing in.
3. Think beyond the horizon and act
If you have a unique insight and are able to present it well in front of the VC, chances are that he will invest in your business. VCs don’t want to invest in an area beyond their zone or one that they think is not feasible. A VC doesn’t want to invest in an idea which is not innovative either. Hence, one needs to have a clear vision and come up with unconventional methods of making it work in the future. Strategic investors are more likely to invest in ventures that have an articulated vision of what they want to become in the future.
Founders need to encourage significant contributions to the start-up from people from different backgrounds. You must have a mission that is big enough to source human resource for different fields. Finding an entrepreneurial crew that wishes to guide their wider team as well as customers, markets and investors to a better future with conviction and humility is a time-taking but rewarding process.
A VC’s research will tell him about your dedicated team and your strong leadership which will definitely be a huge contributory factor for him to invest because strong leadership skills and a set vision are the keys to a success.
If you follow these rules, you will definitely find a great VC to invest in your company. We wish you all the best on finding a VC and on your start-up.
Movies are a great way to learn from others as stories, fiction, and non-fiction, are taught to the viewer in an easy-to-understand way.
Movies are a great way to learn from others as stories, fiction, and non-fiction, are taught to the viewer in an easy-to-understand way. There’s a lot to be learned from these stories as they show you how exceptional people who have come before you have done it. These must-watch movies for all aspiring entrepreneurs are:
1. The Godfather
An offer you can’t refuse.
One of the greatest films in the world based on the best book I’ve ever read. The Godfather is the story about the growth of a small family business as it becomes the largest organized crime family in New York, fighting off opposition at any expense. The Godfather and his son Michael Corleone are the brains behind the family and this film gives you an insight into what it takes to become one of the most powerful family businesses in the country.
2. Glengarry Glen Ross
Lie. Cheat. Steal. All In A Day’s Work.
In the fast paced world of Chicago real estate, competition and incentive is what decides who’s the best. That’s why they’re having a little sales competition – First prize is a Cadillac El Dorado, second prize is a set of steak knives, third prize is you’re fired. With stakes that high, and the pressure on, the salesmen show that they’re willing to do anything it takes to succeed in business, but the most interesting part of this is film, is what exactly that is.
3. Wall Street
Every dream has its price.
In the life of an ambitious young stockbroker, Bud Fox will do just about anything it takes to succeed, and for him, that includes a little bit of insider trading. See what happens when the desire to succeed takes over your life and the motto of ‘Greed is good’ directs how you do business. But what happens when you’re pushed to your limits and asked to do something you can’t or won’t do? Suddenly everything comes to a head when Fox is asked to help do something, not only illegal, but morally reprehensible.
4. The Game
There are no rules in The Game.
What do you get the guy who has everything? Nicholas Van Orton (played by Michael Douglas) is a wealthy San Francisco banker who’s life is wrapped up in his business, which has left him as somewhat of a loner. His brother Conrad gives him the gift of a lifetime, which would prove to change his perspective on the world and the way that he’s going to live it. When bad things start to happen to you, you start to question what’s really important in live, business, success and money, or actually living?
5. Boiler Room
Motion creates Emotion!
After entering the stockbroking profession to impress his father, Seth Davis, a Queens College dropout, soon realizes the huge earning potential ahead of him. But with commissions much larger than any other company, Seth soon learns that not everything is what it’s cracked up to be and he’s forced to face the dilemma of money and greed vs. morals and legality. For any young entrepreneur starting out in business, it’s a very real possibility that you’re going to face moral dilemmas and the way that they’re dealt with in this film is very eye opening.
6. Jerry Maguire
The rest of his life begins now.
This is a story about a man who’s at the top of his game; beautiful partner, the biggest clients, lots of respect. But then he decides to step back and question it all and proposes his new thoughts to the rest of the company, which ultimately ends in him losing it all. Everyone turns his back on him, except for one, very volatile client, Rod Tidwell. From here you see Jerry examine what it really important to his business and life and works towards bringing it all back together again, only this time, the way it should be.
7. Trading Places
Take two complete strangers, make one of them rich the other poor… just watch the fun while they’re… Trading Places.
What happens when you take the rich and the poor and make them switch places? A social experiment ran by Mortimer and Randolph Duke, brother and owners of a commodities brokerage firm, proves to be very interesting when the switched pair run into each other. A life changing event for both of them, poses the question of what’s more important in life, friends and love, or money and power?
8. Office Space
Work Sucks.
When your hypnotist dies just after they’ve put you in a state of complete bliss, you can’t help but have a refreshing outlook on life. If there’s ever a film to make you want to get out of a desk job in the corporate world, then this is it. Peter Gibbons is a man who can’t help but be promoted as he consistently starts to slack off and do things his own way, but trouble starts to arise when his new careless nature starts to lead to him stealing from the company in a much bigger way than he expected.
9. Pursuit of Happyness
Based on a true story.
This is a real life story of a man who believes so badly in a product that he can’t sell that he ends up losing his house, his wife and his money, being left with just himself and his son. This in itself is an important lesson to be learnt, but it’s the steps that he takes from here that really shape him into who he becomes. Against all odds, he takes an unpaid internship to become a stockbroker, fighting against his peers for a single job at the end of it. This is a powerful true story that sticks with you as you face your own personal struggles in business.
10. Catch Me If You Can
The true story of a real fake.
Again, this is another true story, about a young conman who successfully impersonated an airline pilot, doctor, lawyer and history professor during his stint as fraudulent cheque casher. What’s amazing about this film and the life of Frank Abegnale Jr. is how much he managed to achieve in a much tougher environment and under more stress than most people are used to. Whether it’s legal or not, business is business and Frank was one of the best at what he did.
11. Wolf of Wall Street
There’s no nobility in poverty.
This is a story of a man who went from nothing tom something, and something very big at that. It’s an inspirational film for the amount of perseverance Jordan Belfort puts into it, but that’s not what I love the most about this film. This movie does a great job at depicting how business cultures are created in fast-growth companies (minus the corruption seen in this one).
Belfort’s rallying cry of “Don’t take no for an answer” is specific to the mission of his company. My team and I use the rallying cry “total contact” which means all team members own the solution to any problems brought to their attention — no passing off to somebody else.
12. Shawshank Redemption
Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
This is one of the greatest films of all time, and one I’m sure that the majority of readers have seen before, purely because of its undeniable greatness. It’s the story of a man who manages to succeed in the worst possible conditions imaginable – false imprisonment for the murder of his cheating wife and lover. From making friends with another con inside the prison, Andy manages to make the best out of a very bad situation and through perseverance manages to achieve more than he ever thought possible.
13. The Social Network
You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies
This is another story of the young, successful and intelligent man, only this time, it’s based on a true story of the world’s youngest billionaire – Mark Zuckerberg, the creator and owner of Facebook. The story is pretty amazing and has been made famous by this film, he starts off as a Harvard student with a strong streak of arrogance and huge potential, he creates a new social network based upon the most prestigious email address in the country, the Harvard email address. The rest, as they say, is history.
14. Pirates of Silicon Valley
Good artists copy… Great artists steal.
There are no two bigger names in technology than Microsoft and Apple and this is their story. This is an amusing documentary style film about their competition and their rise to the enormous companies that they are today. It’s slightly dated today, and perhaps The Social Network is a little bit more relevant, but it still holds some very valuable information and pointers to learn from. After all, you’re gotta be a pretty special person to become as powerful as they have.
15. Forrest Gump
The story of a lifetime.
This is a simple man with good intentions, who accidentally becomes phenomenally successful from living his life the best way he knows how. He wins medals, becomes a professional ping-pong player, takes up running, owns a huge shrimping company and inspires people all across the country. The simple nature of Forrest makes him very appealing to world as he proves that you don’t have to be a super genius to make something work, you just have to try.
16. Blow
Based on a true story.
Another great film based on a true story, this time only slightly more illegal than the last, it’s a film based on George Jung and his career as a cocaine dealer. What started off as a small time operation working with pot, he is eventually imprisoned and introduced to cocaine and that’s where things start to explode. He’s rumored to have handled about 85% of all of the supply of cocaine in the 1970’s, making him an incredibly powerful and successful man, and this film is all about exactly how he did it.
17. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Nice guys finish last. Meet the winners.
This is the story about two con men, big time and small time, and their struggle to compete together in a small French town which isn’t big enough for the both of them. So they decide to take part in a bet in which the loser leaves town and allows the other to carry on with their business. The only problem is that the bet is to see who can extract $50,o00 from a young female target – a pretty high stake. Of course hilarity ensues as you get to watch how the minds of con men work as they compete against each other to reach the goal first.
18. The Aviator
Some men dream the future. He built it.
A biopic depicting the early years of director and aviator Howard Hughes’ career from the late 1920’s to mid 40’s. It wasn’t the money he made or the time he spent that made him so great, it was the attention to detail and perfection that he strived for that set him apart from his competition. He faced many obstacles along the way from rival companies and malicious rumors, but nothing stopped him from becoming exactly who he wanted to be.
19. Risky Business
There’s a time for playing it safe and a time for Risky Business.
A good story about what you have to do when you take your dad’s Porsche out for a trip and start to realize that you’re going to need a lot of money, which you’re going to have to raise in a very creative way. With his parents away and responsibility out of the window, Joel starts to realize that it’s not all as easy as he was expecting, having to look after friends and source cash any way he can. An interesting look at what people can come up with when they’re put on the spot to come up with some fast cash.
20. The Corporation
This film takes a good, long look at what happens when you take a business and you model it to be legally a person – a corporation. What happens though when the sole purpose of this person is to make money for its shareholders though? It starts to act without a conscience which threatens the world, our future and the people working for it. This isn’t just a film about evil corporations though, it’s also about what we can do to stop them from taking over everything that we know. I saw this film in the cinema and it’s well worth seeing again, it’s completely eye opening.
Now you know which 20 movies you should definitely watch as an aspiring entrepreneur!
It’s our nature as entrepreneurs to have a constant fear, which can be overcome only with personal conviction. To vanquish these fears and devise an appropriate course of action, we must trust our instincts.
Entrepreneurship is not only about taking risks but also dealing with psychological imbalances. It’s our nature as entrepreneurs to have a constant fear, which can be overcome only with personal conviction. However, we sometimes find ourselves in uncharted waters causing turmoils in our life. To vanquish these fears and devise an appropriate course of action, we must trust our instincts.
Personal beliefs are extremely powerful and influential, which form the basis of how we react in fearful situations. In order to tackle such things, we should ask ourselves hard questions about the uncertainties being faced. Whether it’s fear of public speaking or unfamiliarity with handling company finances, employees, need to get specific, you can find a resolution to any predicament once you recognize what it is.
2. Have a Positive Attitude
Revel in your ability to look past fear toward successful outcomes. Learn how to work with any apprehension rather than letting it become a roadblock. Always be cognizant of your attitude, and don’t let yourself succumb to your fear. If a pessimistic viewpoint develops, stop and refocus. Get creative and be bold enough to turn the fear into an opportunity for growth.
3. Have a Clear Outlook
Clarity and commitment lessen the anxiety you feel when attempting something new. Rather than avoiding challenges that alarm you, gain a sense of control by understanding the situation. Develop a simple and clear mission with a specific outcome. Stating a tangible result decreases your fear and redirects your energies toward reaching your goals.
4. Trust Yourself
You need to accept that rejections are a part of life and it happens to all of us, but they will only impair your progress if you allow them to. Unshackling yourself from people’s expectations and keeping your vision clear will propel you to greater heights.
5. Anticipate Bumps on the Road
You need to realize that there will be moments when you feel disheartened so, rather than dreading it, expect it. Remember that you’ve been apprehensive before and successfully worked through it. To lessen the impact of stressful periods, indulge in activities that make you happy and act as stress-busters like reading comics, talking to your best friend, or listening to good music and others. Engrossing yourself in an enjoyable activity can put fear on the back burner.
Fear is a natural phenomenon from which we all suffer but in the end, it is our self-confidence and conviction which help us sail through the rough waters.
There are many positive traits that a successful entrepreneur needs and, in this article, we highlight a few qualities needed to create a winning organisation.
This is a question asked by many young people who have finished their BA and are keen to create their own business and be self-employed; there are many positive traits that a successful entrepreneur needs and, in this article, we highlight a few qualities needed to create a winning organisation.
Vision & foresight
It takes a person with vision and belief to set up and nurture a business; top entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk and Richard Branson have followed with passion a vision they had. If you have the ability to forecast cutting-edge tech, you can get in at the ground level and be part of a completely new sector.
Excellent organisation skills
You should be able to delegate resources effectively; no one person can do it all and while it might feel right to accomplish tasks, there’s only so much you can do. Some business owners hover around and are always available, much like the captain of a ship and they provide a lynchpin to handle anything unexpected. A good example would be hiring a Fort Worth Managed IT services provider, leaving you free of worry regarding cyber-security and hardware support. Clever outsourcing streamlines your business processes and is a cost-effective way of getting things done.
Great communicator
If you look at all the top entrepreneurs, they all seem to have a way with words and are able to inspire others and convey meaning effectively. Words can be powerful and whether you are trying to convince someone to invest in your business, or communicating with factory workers, choosing the right words is definitely a benefit. A good business owner can communicate at many different levels, from the office cleaner to the Chairman of the Board and knows how to motivate others. Here are a few ways to become a successful entrepreneur.
Adaptability & Improvisation
The business arena is in a constant state of change and the business owner needs to be adaptable, changing with the variables and making best use of available resources. Of course, some are better than others in this regard and over time, you can develop these skill sets, which will remain with you for the rest of your life.
Tenacity
Once you have your teeth into something, you won’t let go until you’ve achieved your goals. Some call this determination; a strong desire to keep trying until success is enjoyed. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, or so the saying goes and when things seem insurmountable, you somehow manage to stay on track and achieve the impossible.
Good judgment
You need to have good judgment when making big decisions; some CEOs let their inner feelings guide them, while others use critical thinking to come to conclusions. Of course, you do need to be in possession of all the facts in order to be able to make the right decision.
We are all works of progress and the ability to identify your weaknesses means you can improve yourself, making you a better person. There are workforce development solutions available from the US government, plus you could book a few sessions with a business coach to hone your entrepreneurial skills.
Video marketing has become very popular among entrepreneurs and small businesses. Here are ways Entrepreneurs can use videos to grow their new business.
You have a lot on your plate as an entrepreneur or a new small business owner. Adding video marketing to your list of tasks is probably not on the top of your list right now, especially if you have little to no experience in it and are unsure where to start.
However, for various reasons, video marketing should be considered by new entrepreneurs. People who watch videos about small businesses are more likely to remember what they learn than from something they read in a magazine or a blog. Video content marketing increases conversions when people watch your videos on your website or other platforms.
Benefits of Video Marketing for Entrepreneurs
Video marketing has become very popular among entrepreneurs and small businesses. It has been proven very useful in various industries and domains. Video marketing allows engaging and interacting with users across various media platforms. Using video marketing for entrepreneurs, one can grow the business exponentially during the initial stage. Videos have the potential to attract, convert, and retain new customers with an effective and unique approach.
Entrepreneurs may take advantage of market trends and reach a much larger audience by creating video content. Video marketing is gaining popularity among customers since it offers a more visual marketing approach. Video marketing is a fantastic way to increase sales of a specific product or service while attracting visitors to your website. Video marketing works very well with any ongoing or pre-planned digital marketing strategy.
Here are ways Entrepreneurs can use videos to grow their new business.
1. Introduce Yourself
Making an introduction video for your brand might be beneficial as an entrepreneur. You can use these introductory videos to introduce your team and brand, showcase your business goals, showcase your company’s core values, and a lot more. People can learn so much about your company’s history, objectives, and what makes you different from your competitors by watching brand storytelling videos.
Entrepreneurs can create introductions videos on an online intro maker; it saves money and time. Videos which are personal and talk about your business’ background and ideals can be great to build a connection with the audience.
2. Demonstrate Your Products
It’s one thing to tell someone how to make outstanding or engaging videos; it’s quite another to show them how. The first step is creating videos that have basic respect for their audience. Consumers understand the value of their time and attention to you, so your video content must earn it.
Demonstrate how your product or service works so that consumers understand exactly what they’re buying before purchasing. They’ll be able to figure out what your product or service is, how it works, and how it will be useful to them.
3. Testimonial Videos
Customer testimonials are a distinctive feature of video marketing since they are unscripted and organic. They provide a more genuine insight into a customer’s experience with a product or service. Consider basic video discussions that immerse the client in their area when promoting testimonial videos.
Videos can be shot anywhere, including your home or office, but the discussion should be natural rather than rehearsed. Video reviews increase the customers’ trust in your company by putting a real individual in front of the camera who has faced a similar situation and found a solution in your products.
4. Use Video on Landing Page
Another amazing video marketing strategy that any new business can employ is embedding a video on the brand’s landing page. The website’s home page is not only the main page of your company, but it’s also the most visited page. Whether you earn your clients’ trust or produce conversions is influenced by the quality of your landing page.
A video on your landing page can increase conversions by as much as 80%. You can create intro videos on intro makers and use them on the landing page. Your visitors should be able to get all the information they need to move on to the next stage right from the video.
5. Optimise Videos for SEO
SEO is far more successful with video marketing than with basic textual content. A video, whether on the landing page or a product page, can enhance the length of time a visitor spends there, and the Google algorithm favours websites with higher levels of consumer interaction.
Your business must work hard on its video SEO strategy so that it can be discovered quickly on sites like YouTube and Vimeo. In the video title and description, you should also include searchable and trendy keywords. In your videos, always add a call-to-action so that potential customers may learn more about your new business.
6. Post Videos on Social Media
As an entrepreneur, you can reach a wider audience by posting videos on social media. Millions of customers browse social media platforms to discover and buy from new businesses. You may also use the credibility and influence of people who don’t work directly for you to establish social footing and build good brand sentiment in your new business marketing videos.
Testimonial videos of customers, product reviews, user-generated video content from your consumers on social media, and video collaborations with influencers or brand ambassadors are all examples of these types of videos.
7. Share Behind the Scenes
Many people enjoy getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how businesses work, so make a few videos like this to market your business. Behind-the-scenes videos allow your customers to see who is behind the actions of your business. Shoot meet-the-team videos, showcase day-to-day operations in your business or share personal tales about your products or how you engage with consumers. Alternatively, if you created a new product line, make a video that covers each product in detail and why it is valuable to your consumers.
Conclusion
Using these easy strategies, you can assure that your video marketing approach will provide you with excellent long-term returns on your investment.
In addition, the demand for video content is increasing. As an entrepreneur, videos may help your new business or startup gain traction by being both entertaining and educational. If you get some of the more difficult technical issues correct, you might be shocked by the impact that the right video material can have.
Here are tips young entrepreneurs can implement in the successful running of their business to make it successful and make things easier.
A young entrepreneur is a young adult who starts and operates a new business or identifies new market ideas or opportunities irrespective of the risks involved. The ultimate career for most young adults is being their boss. Therefore, many of them launch their businesses rather than working for someone.
It is not enough to launch a business; there are some tips and strategies that you must put in place for its successful running. As a young entrepreneur, you should also learn from people who successfully handle their businesses. It validates the need for a mentor.
There would be some obstacles on the way, but this should not put you off. And it can as well be challenging to filter the needed information on the internet.
Here are tips you can implement in the successful running of your business to make things easier.
How Starting A CBD Business Can Help Young Entrepreneurs Achieve Success
With the current popularity and amount of usage, the CBD industry displays great growth potential. Being in its infancy, you can grow alongside the industry.
More people are using CBD as a healthy alternative to dangerous drugs that are prone to abuse. The use of CBD extends across all age groups. There is a huge gap in this business for young entrepreneurs. The CBD business can pave the way for success for young entrepreneurs because of its increasing popularity in the market.
Selling CBD gummies is one aspect of the CBD business that has proven beneficial. CBD gummies have diverse flavors and formulations. With the increasing wellness craze, the market for CBD gummies has gained massive popularity.
There is a marketplace for Cbdgenesis edibles products in UK. It is filled with brands that lack potency and purity, but a selected few sell the highest quality CBD gummy in the UK.
5 Ways To Become A Young Successful Entrepreneur
Self Assessment
Your personality will go a long way in helping you determine how much effort it will take you to succeed. Take an unbiased view of your weaknesses and strengths. Take note of the skills you possess, such as knowledge, resilience, experience, and persistence. Consider assessing your financial standing that is relevant to your business.
You can succeed in your chosen industry with the required abilities and knowledge, read more here.
Identify a Market Gap
This step is often overlooked, but it is an important process. This option is stating the obvious, but it remains one of the reasons startups fail.
It does not necessarily have to be an invention; you could consider recreating an existing product. Your idea must also be a profitable one. Some brainstorming will help you when you’re stuck. Using past experiences can also be helpful.
As a young entrepreneur, you need to view the world with the eyes of a problem solver. Some people recognize ideas but don’t work on them; you should not be like others.
Here are some guiding questions to aid your problem-solving process:
How do you want to create value?
Who would you like to target?
What are the trending business models?
Make inquiries on what people are missing in the market
What niche would you like to work in?
Pick a niche that you are passionate about
There are some challenges that entrepreneurs are likely to face in their businesses. But success is assured with the proper qualities. These qualities can be displayed when the business is born out of passion and interest.
Make your hobbies into businesses and put them out there. Lots of creativity is also needed for a business to thrive.
Utilize Networking Opportunities
It is important to recognize the experience and value people can offer your business as an entrepreneur. Make the best use of your networking opportunities from events. These relationships need not be in professional settings. It could be from industry talks or morning catch-ups.
Entrepreneurs need to be networking because it greatly helps them in their field. There are some places with groups meant explicitly for young entrepreneurs. This is a great way to meet professionals in your field and build your business connection.
Put Your Finances in Good Order
Even without excess funds, you can still be smart with the one you have for your startup. It is perfect to have a solid background in managing finances. It will assist in keeping your business alive.
Consider all the costs you will need to put in your business and your funding resources.
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, it takes a lot of hard work to be a successful young entrepreneur. It does not happen overnight and requires enough planning to set off. Creating a clear vision for your business is paramount to the growth of your business.
The guide provided in this article entails baby steps that can be taken towards being a young and successful entrepreneur.
Do you know who are the best entrepreneurs of 2021? Let’s read this article and get inspired by the youngest entrepreneurs of the modern era.
Do you love reading about Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, or Bill Gates? Do you find it inspiring how these not-so-well-to-do people have changed the business dynamics with their creative business ideas and dedicated mindset? Well, I do. And that’s why I know it is essential to learn about famous entrepreneurs who are slowly climbing the ladder of success.
There are many lessons you can learn from the famous entrepreneurs of the world who have given their businesses a new direction in the modern era. All of them indeed employed some solid marketing strategies that have made their brands what they are. They are the role models we should look up to for influencing our younger generation. So, let’s learn about them.
Who Are The Most Famous Entrepreneurs Of 2021?
If you don’t know how to write a business plan, these entrepreneurs will guide you in the best way possible. That’s because none of these famous entrepreneurs had a background of working, and neither had they had a solid business plan in place. But despite the odds, these entrepreneurs made it to the top. So, let’s learn about them;
1: Nick Molnar
Nick Molnar started his entrepreneurship journey from the age of 21 when he sold the most jewelry on eBay. He then went on to launch a leading online jewelry platform, Ice.com. So, if you want to know how to start a business online, you must explore the entire entrepreneurship journey of Nick Molnar.
He built his company Afterpay in 2015, which follows a business model of buy-now-pay-later. Although the business has been running in the market for 6 years now, it was 2020 that made a dynamic improvement in the business sales. In 2020, Afterpay’s customer base reached $11 million, and its revenue doubled more than $11.1 billion. Almost 60% of his customers are in the U.S., and they are primarily millennials.
2: Cami Tellez
While Cami Tellez was still a student at Columbia University, she thought of challenging the lingerie industry. It was a smart move because the sector is estimated to have a net worth of $325 billion by 2025. Of course, many of us don’t like the padded bras that the skinny models of Victoria’s Secret promote, but Cami Tellez decided not to sit back and do something about it.
She started her company, Parade, in 2019, and the company has generated $10 million in revenue every year since then. The company has also sold 1 million pairs of underwear since 2019. Cami designs lingerie for every body type so that people can embrace their bodies as they are. Her customers are her biggest brand advocates because 1 in every 8 customers promotes the brand on Instagram.
3: Patrick Finnegan
One of the most famous entrepreneurs on our list is Patrick Finnegan. He started his entrepreneurship journey when he was 11 years old by collecting funds for Obama’s first presidential campaign. He launched his first tech companies WorldState, and Prepprep Showcase when he was just a teenager.
He is the perfect example of a solopreneur because, by the time he was 24, he already had an investment portfolio of Lyft, Hims, Switch, etc. He harnessed the power of his extensive online network and found business opportunities all over Silicon Valley. His company TGZ Capital and Intuition Capital try to connect with the Gen Z customers to survive in the market for a longer time.
4: Michele Romanow
Romanow started her entrepreneurship journey by setting up a small coffee shop in 2006. She just partnered with two of her classmates and set up her first business. So, if you don’t know how to invest 1000 dollars, you should take inspiration from Romanow because she started the company with very little money and resources.
Her most successful company Clearbanc launched in 2015. As per 2020 statistics, this Canadian firm has generated a revenue of $121 million. Through the success of Clearbanc, Romanow has invested almost $1 billion in more than 3000 companies. She is also the youngest innovator, according to Canada’s Dragon Den.
5: Cody Alt
Cody Alt is one of the most famous entrepreneurs of the 21st century because he has transferred his life from rags to riches in a few years. His journey started by confounding Mon-Dak Oilfield Services in 2012. He was already earning $50,000/week when he was only 26 years old. So it was when he set up Body Fuel, but unfortunately, that drained out all his finances.
When he noticed the restrictions on cannabis products, he saw another opportunity to set up a business. He set up four Elevate Media, Kushly, PureKana, Slapps Underwear, and Never Sell Dope. These companies generated $60 million in revenue in 2019 and continue to do so to date. There are many companies in the cannabis market, but Alt managed to stay at the top because he utilized the potential of social media platforms to promote his brand.
Putting It All Together
If you try to find one common thing among all these entrepreneurs, you may see how they all came out from nothing and turned their business vision into something worthy. Today, we are taking inspiration from these famous entrepreneurs because they show us how far we can go if we are determined on our path. It’s time you also take some lessons from these entrepreneurs and give your dream a jump-start.
Author bio:
Sofia Kelly is a passionate blogger. She loves to share her thoughts, ideas and experiences with the world through blogging. Sofia kelly is associated with Tech Mag News, Plus Lifestyles, World Tech24, Exclusive Rights, Worthy To Share, Voice of Action, Lower My Legal Fees, Simply Law Zone, Circle Box Blog, Istana Green World & World News Inn.
Here is the list which new entrepreneurs must follow to stay on the safe side as a beginner.
The American real estate domain is rife with opportunities, regardless of the downturn caused by the pandemic. But as a new investor, you also need to understand the risks involved. While there isn’t a proper rulebook to follow, you can still use some helpful advice from experts as a beginner. The idea is to prioritize certain deals and steer clear of the others to balance risks and profits. It becomes even more vital to have your facts clear in uncertain times when the market is unpredictable. Here is the list of rules that you must follow to stay on the safe side as a beginner.
Do your homework
Never jump into the investment market unprepared, whether you put your money in stocks, cryptocurrency, or property. Start by researching the market to check the current demand, supply, and pricing trends. Check the market forecasts to understand the future prospects for your investment. While research will require time and effort, it will make you more confident about your initial decisions.
Start small
Michele Tecchia suggests that when you dip your toes into any form of investment, it always makes sense to start small and learn the ropes before going big. Rental properties in emerging neighborhoods make the safest form of investment for newbies. They do not cost a fortune yet have good growth potential. Additionally, you can secure tax incentives as a buyer. With so much on offer, these deals are great for a start in the industry.
Avoid properties that come with extra baggage
As a beginner, it is easy to be lured by timeshare deals in states like California because they are apparently an asset you can use for yourself. But they are the last option you should pick because they come with baggage. You have to pay hefty annual maintenance charges, and reselling them is a challenge. If you pick such a deal by mistake, get rid of it at the earliest. Fortunately, timeshare exit companies have a good understanding of California timeshare laws and regulations. You can rely on them to help you with a smooth exit from the contract.
Diversify your investments
Another piece of advice for new investors is to diversify their investments. You may want to pick deals of a certain type or in a specific area for the sake of simplicity. But it can increase your risks or limit your profit potential in the long run. Diversification covers you on both fronts, but make sure you understand your options well enough. Online research gives you a good start with the diversification of investments, but it makes sense to seek advice from an expert.
Think long-term
Real estate is not the best option for investors looking for windfall gains. You may get them if you are super-lucky, but it is best to enter with a long-term vision. Have a realistic view of the landscape and expect to hold investments for at least a few years. Never buy or sell in a hurry, especially when you just begin in the industry. Weigh the risks and benefits of every single deal before sealing it.
The final piece of advice is to never over-leverage yourself. Ideally, you must keep some rental investments free and finance others. It will enable you to get a good mix of safety and profitability.
Many aspiring entrepreneurs are looking forward to developing green ways to save energy consumption and save the environment.
Let’s face it: More pollution and the exploitation of natural resources have a negative impact on the climatic cycles. It is leading to the systematic dismantling of the environment. The unsustainable lifestyle of the people has added more to this problem.
Fact check: As per a UN report, nearly 98% of the cities with more than 1 lakh inhabitants come under the air quality guidelines of the World Health Organization.
However, many aspiring entrepreneurs are looking forward to developing green ways to save energy consumption and save the environment. For this reason, green business ideas are picking up the pace right now.
Today, even the customers are ready to pay more for green/sustainable products or services. All this helps in making a positive impact on the environment.
Are you the one who wants to change the world by having a business that also makes money? Welcome to the right place. Here we have come up with green ideas to bring a new wave of social entrepreneurship. Without further ado, read ahead and fetch yourself with all the answers.
Ecological disposables – Environmental degradation has seen an increase in recent years. And it is a huge concern, globally. To reduce pollution, ecological or environmentally-friendly disposables are actually a good idea. Your customers can throw away these disposables after using them, and it causes no harm to the environment.
They are pure, biodegradable, decompose faster, and ultimately don’t contribute to any environmental pollution. The world is facing a global climate change emergency, and you can’t afford to pollute the environment at this time. Right? So, tackle the climate changes with ecological disposables.
Dry cleaning and ecological laundry – In this busy world, only a few people have the time to really dry clean their clothes. For this reason, you can start with the dry cleaning services at the street level. And if you use machinery that uses less water (nearly 20% less than the traditional dry cleaning machines) and biodegradable detergents, you are helping the environment.
With the use of sustainable equipment, you can reduce not only the electricity consumption but also your fixed expenses. Therefore starting dry cleaning and ecological laundry services might help you to stand out from the rest.
Organic crops – Organic farming has taken the world by storm. And many small producers are joining the world of organic markets. What you can do here is – you can begin your own cultivation of vegetables and ornamental plants, starting with an area of just 5m2. Or you could also start selling grains like wheat, rice, barley, etc.
For this, you will need to store grains in a safer place. So, you can look for small grain bins for sale and make this green idea work. Additionally, you need to know several cultivation methods like hydroponics or gardening. And also gain knowledge of plant nutrition and pest control.
Now, you can sell these grains, vegetables, or plants in the local market or supply centers. Investing at least 20 minutes a day for every square meter you plant can do wonders for you. Also, do not forget to market your products in the end.
Solar panels – Many consumers are moving towards installing solar panels on their homes to save energy and to save the environment. Hence, here comes the next green idea – giving the opportunity to the people to have a solar panel at their homes.
Furthermore, it will mitigate air pollution, slow down climate change, and lower down the consumption of fossil fuel. And who would not like to contribute towards environmental safety?
Green walls – Nowadays, having green walls is a rising new trend. Having green walls means incorporating living nature into the urban environment. It gives a much appealing look to the walls and serves other benefits as well. They come to fulfill various purposes like for indoors, for outdoors, or the varieties are endless. This business requires placing natural plants on the interiors and exterior walls of an office or home, among others. It is worth noting that preparing the walls with a coating is necessary to avoid humidity and the generation of insects.
You will also need to take care of the installation of the hoses for the self-watering of the wall. Ask the customers to keep in check the maintenance of the vertical garden during the first three months. This will ensure them if the plants are growing correctly.
Bicycle repair and refurbishing – Not to mention that the carbon footprint is increasing at a rapid speed. So, it is beneficial for the environment to go on a bicycle to cover short distances instead of driving a two/four-wheeler.
You could be the expert cyclists where people can come to get their bicycles repaired as sometimes bicycles also need a tune-up. Or there is another way round. How about purchasing the older bikes at a reasonable cost and fixing and selling them up at a profit? This green idea will definitely work well for you.
Gas savers – There is no doubt that gasoline and electricity prices will continue to rise in the future. How can you help the citizens facing this issue? You can give them a discount on opting for the facility of the installation of the gas savers. This will allow them to save at least 12-15% on the regular consumption of gasoline.
The equipment for this purpose is installed in hoses or tubes to pass through wiring in less than 10 minutes. Start offering these services to the relatives and then expand your reach to schools and restaurants.
To sum it all up
It is needless to say that going green has immense possibilities in terms of delivering something better to the environment. Moreover, it makes our planet a safer place to live in and caters to the needs of the growing market. You do not want to deteriorate the quality of the environment as it is said by George Holland – “Where the quality of life goes down for the environment, the quality of life goes down for humans.”
So, protect it with all the great business ideas that you can, and you will experience a fresh and green planet.
There are several ways on how you can start your own eco-friendly business, depending on your interest and funds.
To help mother Earth and turn it into a business is an excellent advocacy to start a business with. It is a promising niche, since more people are becoming conscious of environmental changes, the waste produced, and how they could be a part of the solution. In fact, many consumers are willing to pay extra for a product or advocacy they support.
There are several ways on how you can start your own eco-friendly business, depending on your interest and funds. So whether you’re environmentally-conscious or simply passionate about using sustainable materials and methods, here is a list of green business ideas that startup entrepreneurs can venture.
Organic Food
Organic food is grown without the use of synthetic chemicals. With today’s rise in obesity and lifestyle diseases, people are becoming more conscious of their food choices. If you can grow food in your home, you can start by selling it to family and friends, then consider expanding to a stall or store with other product variants.
Eco Restaurants
Restaurants who practice Farm to Table (greens) or Farm to Fork (meat) source their ingredients from local farmers and hoggers, guaranteeing freshness. It also helps small-scale entrepreneurs and producers cut down on extra costs on transportation and storage fees.
Organic Body Products
Our skin is the largest organ of our body, and we use different products for our hair, face, body. In addition to the chemicals present in our surroundings and the food that we eat, these chemicals, despite being present in small amounts, can build up inside our bodies over time. Ingredients commonly included in products are parabens, fragrances, artificial colors, and alcohols, giving scent, improving the appearance, and prolonging shelf life. Using organic body products minimizes irritation and is less likely to trigger allergies and other skin conditions. Moreover, the ingredients are grown and produced using sustainable practices.
Green House Cleaners and Soaps
Cleaning supplies generally have numerous chemicals which can be harmful when inhaled or absorbed by the skin. Some of the best ingredients with antibacterial properties are common ingredients we can find in the kitchen. Instead, you can substitute synthetic chemicals with natural materials such as white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon, to name a few. The good thing about it is it does not involve complicated chemistry and machines and is safe for kids and people with health conditions.
Recycled Crafts and Household Items
Recycling different materials for crafts just needs a little bit of creativity. Instead of buying, consider the repurposing items, such as bottle caps, egg trays, empty cans. You can get these items almost for free, and you can decide how to redesign them so you can make them into something useful.
Pre-loved Items
The culture of consumerism leads to people purchasing items that exceed their needs. In many people, buying things became a form of therapy, known as retail therapy. Not only does this give us a false sense of happiness, but it also contributes to the growing pollution produced in manufacturing these items. Buying second-hand items not only spare you money but helps reduce items wasted in landfills as well.
Eco-Friendly Fashion
Next to oil, the fashion industry is the largest polluter in the world. Since textile production and disposal require lots of energy and resources, it leaves an enormous environmental footprint. In addition, the rise of fast fashion left tons of unused clothes and cutouts to end up in the dumpsters.
Making clothes from sustainable materials such as natural fibers—organic/ recycled cotton and synthetic vegan fabrics can be pretty costly compared to fast fashion retailers. The materials used contain little to no chemicals, so they decompose naturally.
Upcycling Furniture
Depending on durability and size, the construction of a piece of furniture needs several materials. The most common material used is wood. Unfortunately, we know that we cut down trees faster than we can grow them, posing a significant problem for our forests. As a furniture seller, you can reduce this negative impact by utilizing old or scrap pieces and using other recycling materials during construction and assembly.
Composter
Composting is simple and cheap; all you need is three materials—browns, greens, and water. The browns include dead leaves, branches, and twigs, and the greens can be vegetable waste, fruit scraps, and coffee grounds. Since composting requires a decent amount of area to mix and store, it is ideal to have space outside with open air. It’s a little to no-cost investment, since these are materials that often end up in our trash cans. The finished product can be sold to local plant growers and gardeners.
Green Vlogging & Content Creation
The popularity of video content paved new opportunities for social media influencers.
For entrepreneurs that are more focused on writing, you can start a blog about environmental topics and then make money through advertising or selling green products of some kind.
Solar Panel Installation
With the rise of electricity consumption, there is an increased interest in harnessing renewable sources of energy. The initial installation of solar panels may be costly, but it can help reduce pollution, mainly from fossil fuels, and significantly reduce electricity bills.
If you’re starting and profit from a project basis only, consider a new face of the workforce, where you can hire people only when needed. It can save you the costs of employing full-time for seasonal work.
Green Architecture
Involves designing new homes or buildings using methods that advocate sustainability and energy conservation. It also aims to minimize the harmful effects of the construction project on both human and environmental health. Depending on the project scale, consider the types of materials used, location, timeline, and how to pay contractors.
Bottom line
The improvements in technology and industrialization resulted in massive waste by-products, and we are starting to feel the effects of climate change. For example, the increase in global temperature causes iceberg meltdown in the polar regions, leads to coastal flooding; the frequency of wildfires and increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere all contribute to the rise in temperature. Pollution ultimately affects our health and food supply. As our global population rapidly grows and is expected to balloon over the next few years, all of us need to take part in preserving our planet for the next generations to come.
About the Author:
Bash Sarmiento is a writer and an educator from Manila. He writes laconic pieces in the education, lifestyle, and health realms. His academic background and extensive experience in teaching, textbook evaluation, business management, and traveling are translated into his works.
Recognizing the opportunity for young entrepreneurs to capitalize their business through Amazon FBA, the Zabierek brothers decided to launch their second business venture, “The Zab Twins”.
As entrepreneurship has become more popular than ever to the millennial generation, there has been a wave of young individuals quitting their corporate jobs and pursuing their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs. When Brian and Arek Zabierek had this realization, they utilized the skill sets and capital that their corporate job gave them and decided to not only create their own start-up but to share their knowledge with other young aspiring entrepreneurs.
After a year and a half in the corporate world, the Zabierek brothers left their undemanding 9-5 jobs and were running a successful start-up through the Amazon FBA model, generating over $1 million dollars in sales. Recognizing the opportunity for young entrepreneurs to capitalize their business through Amazon FBA, they decided to launch their second business venture, “The Zab Twins” and found themselves coaching over 200 entrepreneurs in how to launch their products through Amazon with the mission of inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs and guiding them through their journeys.
While offering services such as Implementation & Automation, Group and One on One Coaching, a 12-week intensive boot camp and more, The Zab Twins took the feedback from their students and decided to launch a new program, “The FBA Start-Up.” This new program will be a revamp of the previous 12-week program, built to keep the students more engaged while giving them more flexibility.
When getting into the Amazon FBA space, The Zab Twins recognized they were falling into “information overload” due to the amount of content they were consuming. In order to prevent other entrepreneurs from experiencing this, The Zab Twins have limited the amount of content their students will consume at once while implementing an interactive component to the program to ensure students are retaining the information most important to their success. In addition, they spend time with their students in core components of the business building process to ensure that they gain the confidence they need to build a sustainable business and skillset.
The Zab Twins have taken their years of knowledge and experience to create a program for entrepreneurs that holds them accountable, while also creating a community of support. Allowing students to access The Zab Twins team of mentors, entrepreneurs can also seek knowledge and support from other successful business owners in hopes of giving confidence to new sellers.
The Zab Twins recognize the opportunities available to aspiring entrepreneurs and hope to motivate, teach and support individuals in reaching their full potential in the business world. To hear more from The Zab Twins, you can also listen to their podcast “The Young Start Up” on Apple and Spotify for more information on entrepreneurship and Amazon FBA.
Here is a list of 21 inspiring quotes from animated movies for budding entrepreneurs and startups, which are in fact applicable to anyone.
What do you see when you watch films? Nothing but your own hopes, dreams, and fears played out on the big screen. We humans reflect on our world through symbolic stories of our life. Simply put, stories are metaphors for our lives.
Here is a list of 21 inspiring quotes from animated movies for budding entrepreneurs and startups, which are in fact applicable to anyone. Anything you imagine can be conceived in animated movies. They’re vivid, rich, and filled with lively characters offering us profound wisdom in the most subtle ways. They’re not just for children, but for adults too. And if we pay close attention to them, we may just find the answers to life that we’ve been searching for.
1. Nobody is entitled to anything. Anyone can become an artist; you just have to make a choice.
Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. – Anton Ego, Ratatouille
2. Change is within. If thought is the cause, effect is the outcome.
Look inside yourself Simba. You are more than what you have become. – Mufasa, The Lion King
3. Invest in identity capital and build it. It adds value to who you are.
Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it. – Elastigirl, The Incredibles
4. Success is subjective – don’t get carried away. Have your own definition of it.
There is whole lot more to racing than just winning. – Tex, Cars
5. Our true reality lies in identifying with other people.
As long as we are together; it doesn’t matter to me. – Marty, Madagascar
6. Abandoning your ego is a gift. Strive for it.
To laugh at yourself, is to love yourself. – Mickey Mouse
7. Storms pass. Just wait until you reach the shore and never stop dreaming.
All at once everything looks different, now that I see you. – Rapunzel, Tangled
8. Believe your gut instinct and just plunge in. All you need is a little faith.
All it takes is little faith and trust. – Peter Pan
9. Don’t be deceived by appearances. Search for the soul – it actually counts.
Do not be fooled by commonplace appearance. Like so many things, it is not what outside, but what is inside that counts. – Aladdin
10. Your mind is everything. Wield it carefully or it will command you.
Your mind is like water. When it is agitated it becomes difficult to see, but when you let it settle; the answer becomes clear. – Oogway, Kung Fu Panda
11. Timing matters. Do not try to prove anything just for the sake of proving it.
I’m only brave enough when I have to be. Being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble. – Mufasa, The Lion King
12. We create our own destiny through the choices we consciously make.
There are those who say fate is something beyond our command, that destiny is not our own. But I know better. Our fate lives within us. You only have to be brave enough to see it. – Merida, Brave
13. Never give up – you’ll find it. Trust me.
If you work on something long enough you will find it, even if you are lost for a while you will find it. – Professor Bomba, Epic
14. Everything bothers you if you let it. Remember you have a choice.
Cold never bothered me anyway. – Elsa, Frozen
15. We always search for answers without realizing the fact that answers lie within.
There is no secret ingredient. It’s just you. – Po, Kung Fu Panda
16. Never ever accept your limitations. Human spirit is eternal.
I’m flying… I’m flying! I’m not an ostrich…I’m not an ostrich! – Blu, Rio
17. When you are going through hell, just keep going.
Just keep swimming. – Dori, Finding Nemo
18. Whatever you imagine, you can conceive. The universe is waiting.
To infinity, and beyond! – Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story
19. You can’t see the future with tears of the past in your eyes.
You should, Shen. You gotta let go of that stuff from the past, because it just doesn’t matter! The only thing that matters is what you choose to be now. – Po, Kung Fu Panda 2
20. You will become, what you choose to be.
Your story may not have such a happy beginning but that does not make you who you are, it is the rest of it- who you choose to be. ― Soothsayer, Kung Fu Panda 2
21. Today is a gift.
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift… that’s why they call it present. ― Master Oogway, Kung Fu Panda
Manav Garg, against all odds, managed to take the startup plunge and excel by founding Eka Software Solutions.
When dreams are as high as the sky, nothing else matters. It doesn’t matter if you’re from the commercial capital or a small town, as long as you want it and strive for it, you get it.
Manav Garg, against all odds, managed to take the startup plunge and excel by founding Eka Software Solutions. Manav was born in Moga, Punjab, and belonged to a middle-class family.
He graduated from NIT Jalandhar with an engineering degree in Instrumentation and Control. Thereafter, Manav pursued his MBA from IIFT, Delhi.
With a good package in a trading company in Singapore, there was no looking back for him. He travelled across Southeast Asia as a coffee trader meeting several people from about 400-500 companies.
During that time, he realized that there wasn’t any system which was able to manage the risks and trading in the business. Thus, he decided to work through that and see what could be done.
He left his job, and did not tell anyone about the big move. Due to his father’s failed entrepreneurship journey, both his parents were not open to the startup idea, in fact, they were quite against it. Moreover, Manav did not know enough about software but he was sure that he would be the one to fill the gap that he had found out.
After quitting his job, Manav was back in Delhi. His initial plan was to start in the national capital since it was also closer to home. However, one visit to Bangalore changed his decision, and he finally started his company in the good weather software city.
In 2004, Manav’s startup saw its first product. And while the operations were initially financed by Manav himself, he got seed funding later by his former employer amounting to a million dollars.
In 2009, Nexus, a venture capital, funded 10 million dollars to Eka, whereas $40 million was received in 2013 by the Silver lake.
Today, Eka has over 100 customers across the globe including Cofco, Unilever, Cargill. Eka helps businesses in adapting as well as overcoming challenges in several domains including supply chain, trading and risk, business collaboration as well as financial management.
With more than 400 employees, Manav has created a niche in the market for himself. His dream of coming back to India and creating something has come true. He was attracted to the energy India has which none of the other countries could offer him.
Today when you hear Manav talk, you’d by no chance even think that he’s the same man who didn’t know how to converse in English until the time he went to college.
Whether you plan to own one successful business or to start an empire of enterprises, become an entrepreneur isn’t easy. How do you become a successful entrepreneur?
Whether you plan to own one successful business or to start an empire of enterprises, become an entrepreneur isn’t easy. It’s a career path that is full of challenges and risks, but if you do manage to achieve your goals and become a success, it will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. So, how do you become a successful entrepreneur? Well, there are many things you will need to do, but below are some of the basics you need to look out for.
Think About Your Education
You might not always have wanted to follow the path of an entrepreneur; it might be something you decided to pursue later in life. If this is the case, consider what your previous education has been in and how that can help you. If you have no previous experience in business management or any formal education in this, you should think about enrolling on a business management course or another relevant subject to help you succeed. You can always study online to make it work around your career if this is easier through online colleges like Nothern Michigan University Global Campus at https://nmu.edu/online/.
Network
If you want to get noticed and people to start believing in your ideas, you need to put yourself out there. Utilizing networking opportunities is an excellent way to get ahead as an entrepreneur, but you will need to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Practice your business pitches, be willing to collaborate with other professionals and businesses, and make sure you always conduct a professional manner at these events. Being friendly and fun is important, but be careful that you’re not letting your guard down too much.
Keep Up to Date
Another thing you need to do if you want to be successful in your endeavors is keeping up to date with the latest trends and industry news. Ideally, you want your business brand to be a trendsetter and be one of the most innovative companies within your industry. This will keep you relevant and have people coming to you asking for opportunities to work with you, interviews, and more. It’ll also work in your favor to show how knowledgeable you are regarding current events and industry news when you’re networking or speaking with potential investors.
Leadership Skills
If you’re going to start building businesses from the ground up, you need to have the right personality for the job. Strong leadership skills are required if you want to be an entrepreneur, as people will be looking to you for guidance on the next steps of the business plan, problem-solving, and people management. You must lead by example, but also be wary that you don’t begin to micro-manage your teams as this can create a toxic working environment.
Organization Skills
Last, but not least, you must have excellent organizational skills to be a successful entrepreneur. There will be a lot of work to do when it comes to starting a new business, from market research and developing your brand to business planning, events management, and so on. Accept that you might not have a lot of free time while your business is in its infancy, but make sure that you’re staying organized so you’re not wasting time on things that are unnecessary and keep things running smoothly.
There are a lot of things you will need to do if you want to be a successful entrepreneur, but these are some of the basics.
The epic consists of many management lessons that entrepreneurs could derive out of it.
Mahabharata is not just a popular epic one can learn Kurukshtra lessons from. The sermons from Lord Krishna to Arjun form the basis of Bhagwad Gita which is the holy book for Hindus. However, the epic also consists of many management lessons that entrepreneurs could derive out of it.
5 management lessons one can learn from Mahabharata are:
1. Honesty isn’t always the best policy
This might not be the best moral lesson to derive out of the epic for entrepreneurs but it definitely a very important one. An entrepreneur cannot afford to be truthful and just in every situation. Some situations require him to be cunning and smart. In Mahabharata, even the great king, Yudhishtira, who never lied, had to lie to his teacher during the time of war. If he hadn’t lied, the entire Pandava army would have been slaughtered; so he betrayed his morals for the sake of a bigger win. He did what was required at the moment which is entrepreneurs should do too.
The Pandavas were initially a team of only five brothers without an army but they managed to defeat hundred brothers with a kingdom. This was possible only because they made smart alliances which paid off in the time of need. The Pandavas were helped by Lord Krishna and other people who were more cunning and experienced in the art of war and could lead them to success. Similar, to succeed, an entrepreneur needs to make strong alliances with people who are smart or/and successful.
3. Build a dedicated team
The Kauravas were far more than the Pandavas in number but they lost because the Pandavas were more close-knit and focused towards a common goal. The values of unity weren’t spread amongst the Kauravas which is why their determination wasn’t as strong as the Pandavas. In the same way, an entrepreneur should aspire to build a dedicated team of employees who work together towards achieving a common goal. If there are disputes or conflicts of interest between employees, it can hamper the whole company.
In the beginning of the war, Pandavas and Kauravas were given a choice between Krishna and Krishna’s army. The Kauravas without thinking chose his army because they saw quantity there; however, what they failed to see was the potential and qualities of Krishna as an individual which were what eventually led to the victory of the Pandavas. Similarly, in real life, an entrepreneur should choose the qualities of an individual over hiring more people because a single employee might turn out to be a better strategist than thousand others.
It is very important for a venture to have a common goal and focus on it because without uninterrupted focus and hard work, all goals are impossible to achieve. This is a crucial lesson which Mahabharata teaches us.
Arjun could hit the bird’s eye and become the greatest archer only because he focused hard and trained well. Also, the Pandavas common goal was to win their kingdom back which is what they solely concentrated on and didn’t stop until they accomplished their goal.
If you haven’t read the epic yet, go ahead and read it because it will teach you how to strategize and more importantly how life really is!
Mihir Mehta joined Ashika Group, a diversified financial services business in 2015 and self-learned the ropes of Investment Banking, a role usually reserved for older and more experienced finance professionals.
Mihir Mehta joined Ashika Group, a diversified financial services business in 2015 and self-learned the ropes of Investment Banking, a role usually reserved for older and more experienced finance professionals. The then-newcomer in the finance world developed skills and acumen beyond his years and crossed several precocious milestones – most recent of all would be transactions executed in the F&B sectors once the lockdown was announced.
In 2020, during the pandemic, when the F&B sector is amongst the worst affected, Ashika Capital facilitated a one-of-a-kind deal for Independence Brewing Company, one of the largest & oldest microbreweries in India. Miadiamante Food & Beverage Private Limited has acquired a majority stake in the company via purchase from Indus Brew LLC.
This is one of the few transactions that has been successfully executed in the F&B space in India. In Feb 2020, Ashika Capital secured an investment of 12 crores from investor Adar Poonawalla for an upcoming cookie brand Sweetish House Mafia.Mihir Mehta was invited to join the coveted board of Association of Investment Bankers in India (AIBI) as the youngest Director to be inducted on the Board.
Mihir Mehra along with Chirag Jain, CEO of Ashika Capitals actively chairs the wing of merchant banking, valuations, and transactions advisory under Ashika Capital. Over the years, the team has orchestrated significant strategic investments under his leadership, with transaction & valuation advisory to the tune of about USD 250 million+.
The Mumbai-based Investment Banker believes that the growth of any business, the building block is financial capital. Over the years, Ashika Capital has enjoyed the distinction of being a young firm with an unconventional and disruptive approach to investment banking.
About Mihir Mehta:
Mihir Mehta is a rising star in the Indian finance sector as one of the youngest accomplished professionals in investment banking. In his current role as Senior Vice President at Ashika Capital, he is swiftly emerging as one of the top dealmakers in the country. In 2011 Mihir started out as an Account Strategist at Google India; a short stint at the company in a marketing-focused role helped Mihir acquire a unique perspective on brands. Mihir is also the Investor-Director at food startup The Bohri Kitchen, the Youngest board member of the Association of Investment Bankers in India Advisor on the board of TagMango, Y Combinator 2020 batch startup.
