Igniting your Entrepreneurial Spirit

It’s the entrepreneurs’ world. Statistics has it that 74% self made millionaires in America are entrepreneurs – people who started and built their own businesses. It’s also on record that between 1996 and 2004, America has turned out an average of 550,000 entrepreneurs monthly! That is amazing. Sometimes, i’d begin to wonder what we are actually doing in this country. However, the awareness is gradually getting to this place very rapidly. Every type of human development that we see around us today spring out from entrepreneurship of some sought, and the beat is not going down.

There is a paradigm shift in the business world– it’s no longer business as usual. I can remember vividly the dream I had when I was much younger: go to the university, study hard while in school, and get a lucrative job. (You must have had the same kind of dream, although there seems to be nothing wrong about it). That was the order of the day at a time, and eveybody was on that path.

However, on a very critical observation, you’d notice that times have changed, and are still changing; it is wisdom to read the handwriting on the wall. A lot of enterprises, including the multi-nationals are laying-off their talent-force, both great and small. This should call for a question from a thinking mind: what does the future hold for us who are working harder to get in and climb the corporate ladder? Today’s challenging economic environment demands entrepreneurs who truly have the eagles’ eyes to see creeping opportunities.

One main way of weathering the storm is to go back to the basis – entrepreneurships. Everyone has got it, not excluding you and me. There may not be enough jobs for all of us, but there are need to be met every day, in our society, and we can do something about it. Entrepreneurship springs out from a niche market needs. In other words, every problem is a business, and every business is a solution to a problem.

If you can spot a problem in your environment that you can provide a solution to, and in which people would be willing to pay you for, you have a strong basis for starting the business. According to Robert Middleton, ‘Problems are where people live. When you mention a problem, you hit a nerve. It’s what they are thinking about. And if you can address their problem, they will realise you know something important about them’. So, look where others don’t; people’s needs are business opportunities.

Entrepreneurs are market-need opportunists. They understand three important elements require from every entrepreneur – to understand timing, to understand current market needs, and to understand positioning. And when they take advantage of the three, they end of their story is always full of bliss.

There is this question of: how does one get started? I asked that question, time and time again until the light shown. Business is a game of skill, and all skills are learnable. Behind every skilful man were his unskilful years. All those we admire in the business world today, began from somewhere, at a time, and you too can. You don’t necessarily have to be a master to begin, but becoming one with time; each passing day bringing closer to your business paradise.

Starting and growing a business is a journey that is worth going, and it takes time to get there. There’s no short cut in such a route. If you really care to start a business, be prepared to invest in the process. Preparation and investment are winning; that’s one of the laws that governs life. Every one of us at one point in life may have ran into some kind of opportunities that can turn our lives around for good, except that only a few are prepared for the occasion, and not very many still are willing to throw themselves into it.

One important point to note is; what do I have to get there? Business begins with an idea; if you can’t sell the idea, don’t start the business. But beyond the idea, you have to possess other qualities that would give you an advantage. Nothing could be so frustrating like having an idea that you don’t know how to express. Here’s a wisaman’s statement on this: ‘Many people have ideas that could make them rich beyond their wildest dreams. The problem is most people have never been taught how to put a business structure inside their ideas and so many of their ideas never take shape or stand on their own.’ Isn’t that revealing? You may require the help of those who have gone the way that you want to go. This would help you to gain time, and direction. Businesses are built on fact. That means, knowledge is very critical for every business development. Go for knowledge, and not just information; something that would stimulate something in your entrepreneurial spirit.

Every business is a reflection of the spirit of the entrepreneur. Interestingly, this is the spirit we begin to develop from youth. What you see me do today I developed many years ago, and when opportunity called, I was prepared for it. You have got energy and exuberance; turn that energy into entrepreneurship, and you’d see yourself start another revolution! Let that spirit be strong and full of knowledge, you would excel.

In addition, an entrepreneurial spirit had got some personal qualities that set them apart from the crowd. Here are some them: self belief, character, purpose, drive, knowledge/ competence, focus, courage, integrity, discipline, and creativity. Please, check if you have got them, and go for them if you have not. The more of them you have, the better your business would become. Nothing can be further from the truth.

Let me warn you: you don’t necessarily have to get the support of friends and relatives. Because as Albert Einstein taught, ‘Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds’. Does that tell you something? Only be sure of you mission and how to get there. Stay true to it till the end. ( I am saying this experientially). There is no doubt, people have their fears when they see us do crazy things, but what is surer is your victory at the end. Starting every business is very risky. You know what, risk means stretching, taking chances, trying new tactics, making mistakes and learning to work through them. More so, go for professional assistance whenever you should to gain speed, energy and resources. The interesting thing there is that it’s worth the effort.

Lastly, it’s good to know that all businesses are created twice: first in the mind and then in the physical. The way you think creates a picture which would surely manifest with time. A couple of years ago, I saw where I am today. And I’m still expanding my horizon to get better. Your imagination is going to be one of your greatest resources on his journey; do all you can to sharpen it at all times.

Only you can stop you. You have the key to living the kind of life that you desire. Never leave anything to chance, lest you become a victim of circumstances. Indeed, it pays to be a business owner, after you must have learnt the trade. Just like Paul Nelson quipped, ‘Launching your own business is like writing your own personal declaration of independence from the corporate beehive.’ As I close my eyes, I see you there. Entrepreneurship beckons, would you heed to the call? Set that spirit on fire today, and watch great things turn out to your favour. It is up to you to make it happen!

Tony Ajah is a business growth strategist, and the Principal Strategist, TA Strategic Solutions, a Lagos-based firm that is into business development. ajahxt@yahoo.co.uk