Many scare easily at the word “entrepreneur”. I guess I can relate to that to a degree. For a start trying to spell it is a nightmare, let alone understanding what it means. So let’s embrace the term wholeheartedly before you continue using the excuse I’m no “entrepreneur”.
When looking up the definition there seems to be some mixed feelings around exactly what an entrepreneur is.
Some believe that an entrepreneur is an innovator, some believe an entrepreneur is someone who is able to launch a business, and some believe it is filling a void in the market for a niche that has not previously been targeted. In essence all of these point to a person who does not follow everyone else and branches out from the norm to do something different. That does not sound so bad when expressed in those terms. Why be normal when you can be special?
Whichever definition you adopt there is nothing to fear. Let us now analyze these definitions and see how each of these could apply to you.
When we talk about innovators we immediately jump to the conclusion that an innovator is a pioneer, an inventor or someone with a new idea. And that is not a bad conclusion to jump to, but where most make their mistake and start to get scared stiff at the thought of being an innovator, they assume innovating means product innovation; but, innovation could apply to process or procedure. You could take a very common product from a saturated market but if you package it differently or promote it differently that would make you an innovator. A classic example I came across a few months ago to demonstrate innovation was the late Michael Jackson. Wearing gloves was not new, but wearing one glove only was.
Launching a business may also seem scary, and particular risky, but unless you want to stay chained up in the corporate world until you retire, with a mediocre salary, average retirement payout and little or no pension to fall back on, then you need to take money making into your own hands and there is no simpler way to do that than to launch a business. This will be your fastest, lowest cost, lowest risk entry to a journey to being successful.
Also the word niche leaves many running for the hills, tail between legs, but this is just a fear of going against the masses, doing something different and standing out with the concern that if failure occurs, humiliation will be inevitable. In this world, so many things have been done before that finding a niche and using the Internet to promote your niche will still leave you with more than enough devotees who will follow your every move and commit to you as loyal customers. Finding a niche and filling a hole in the market is the best way to propel you on the fast track to success.
Would you prefer to be the sheep that follows everyone else, or the wolf that looks down on the sheep strategizing your next move? If you are scared of going alone, don’t be – wolves travel in packs too. What do I mean by this? As an entrepreneur, you are never alone if you reach out to a growing community of like minded entrepreneurs and build your circle of influence around those who are there to help you.
