Becoming an “entrepreneur of a ground breaking startup” is the latest catch phrase these days, but being one is easier said than done. I have always loved the work I do, and that’s why I chose to become an entrepreneur, however, keeping that passion alive everyday is a task in itself.
Here are some of the things that have continued to keep me motivated throughout my entrepreneurial journey…
Books – I have always gained great inner strength from reading biographies and stories of inspiring individuals. Ayn Rand and Steve jobs, in particular have helped me get through some very tough times. Ayn Rand always had a clear view of the world she planned to live in and believed she could shape lives and human history. My favorite quote of hers is “The question isn’t who’s going to let me, it’s who is going to stop me.”
My other favorite, Steve Jobs, was not the typical tech company founder; in fact there is nothing “typical” about him. He changed the way we look at the world. He showed me that if you give customers a great product backed by a great service, they would be willing to pay a premium price for it, even though there may not have been a stated need for the product.
Friends and well wishers – I am sure everyone’s heard of the Beatles song which says, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” This couldn’t ring truer for me during my entrepreneurial journey. My Friends wouldn’t let me give up and encouraged me to hold on by supporting my crowd-funding campaign. From Angel investors for Buttercups to journalists who wrote articles on my struggles, I was always backed by well wishers who helped me stay motivated.
Myself– We all have bad days, when we feel like we don’t have the energy to even smile or get out of bed in the morning. I was no different until I found that sweet spot within me that helped me get through even the toughest of the situations. When I look back at the challenges I faced to be where I am right now, I can say it has only come down to the fact that I truly don’t know how to give up! Every time I heard a no, my will to make it happen got stronger. It has been my best and worst quality and still continues to be. A passion to bring my dream to life and a hunger for success to prove that no matter how tough, I would do it. In retrospect, I wonder who I was trying to prove what to, except to myself.
A supportive mentor – Having a mentor can be an invaluable asset in a world like today, and can make a big difference in whether you face troubles alone or with someone with more experience and wisdom than you. I have had the benefit of learning from someone who wants me to grow throughout the ups and downs of my business. Kanwaljit Singh is someone I look up to and hold in very high regard, who at the lowest of low times, asked me to hold on for just another few weeks, and good things would happen, and things did turn around. Just having someone believe in you and empathise at the right time, can be a great motivator.
It takes a very strong person to be an entrepreneur, and entrepreneurship takes everything that you have. The gratification of seeing a dream come alive is beyond anything I can put into words. All I can say is that the struggles are worth it, if you just hold out long enough.
