“Am I an Entrepreneur? How do I know?”
Entrepreneur: *A person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.
I was just 8 years old when I was bit by the “entrepreneur bug”. At this early age I discovered I had a knack for making money and that was a pretty cool feeling. So cool in fact, I started looking for all sorts of ways I could earn more and more money – I decided it was time to make my first “investment”.
I started saving everything I could, and when I had enough cash I went to Western Auto and bought myself a bright, yellow, riding lawnmower that cost me a whopping $300. That was a lot of money for 1969 and I did this all while I was still only 8 years old!
the true secret for success – provide excellent service at a fair price.
My mom worked at the local Baptist church as the pastor’s secretary, which gave me an easy ride to my first lawn mowing “gig”. Although if she hadn’t given me a ride I’m sure I would have just driven myself on the mower! Well, it went radically wild from there. Neighbors and family members started asking me to cut their lawns, trim their shrubs and pick up broken branches. I quickly discovered the true secret for success – provide excellent service at a fair price. Once I had that figured out I had all the work I wanted.
Those early lessons I was able to apply throughout my life to future projects and multiple businesses providing me with a great livelihood for the next 45 years.
This same principal holds true today: Quality work at a fair price is absolutely essential in whatever task you are performing and in whatever business you are building.
I started young, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late for you. The lessons I learned at 8 are still applicable wherever you find yourself today. Are you fed up with the corporate environment? Are you starting out in business trying to mark your spot? You just might have been bit by that same bug. Being an entrepreneur has been the most adventurous and exciting journey I’ve ever experienced.
Are you ready for your own adventure? Are you willing to take the risk?
If an income with no ceilings or limitations sounds appealing; if experiencing daily exhilaration along with sleepless nights, tired eyes and immeasurable pressures with the potential of returning profits exceeding your wildest dreams, you may have your answer to “Am I an entrepreneur?”
