Entrepreneurship is a Mindset
Entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business; it's a mindset.
When my mom was growing up, her parents were running the 2 parts of a TV and cable business in rural Texas.
"Resilience” doesn’t even begin to tell the story of what they went through to keep it up.
Grandpa literally ran cable from mountain tops into people’s homes. If the wind hadn’t knocked the antennas out, he found lines chewed through by the javelinas.
And he would spend hours and hours driving every day to figure out where and how he could expand.
Grandma ran the storefront of the business - she handled the money. And it was her idea to expand into selling TVs. It was also her internal resolve to take her sons with her to people's homes at night and take back the TVs when they stopped paying for them!
It was this blend of creativity, determination, and pride in autonomy in which the 5 kids were raised.
Perhaps not shockingly, they all went into business for themselves as adults.
Not that they expected it to be an easy life, but once you’ve stared a javelina in the eye and chased him out of your fencing…everything else in business seems less scary.
It was a family in which everyone volunteered ideas, got them shot down, had to defend them, and sometimes even saw them implemented.
This atmosphere nurtured their ability to connect with others, build networks, and capitalize on their strengths – all critical skills for a successful entrepreneur.
The family prioritized adaptability and instilled in the children the importance of staying curious and open-minded. As a result, the cable business is still running today.
My husband and I work for ourselves too. Granted there are fewer literal javelinas we have to fight, but we both have to constantly grapple with rapidly changing business environments.
What we openly discuss at dinner with our daughter though, is the mindset of conducting business with integrity and constant adaptability.
Where my grandparents were a little more renegade 75 years ago for going it alone instead of working for others, the world of solopreneurship is growing exponentially.
The longterm commitments of companies to their employees and vice versa isn’t the same as it once was.
Everyone - even when working for a company - ought to be consciously evolving their own professional brand, ready at a moment’s notice to strike out on their own.
Need some help with this mindset?
Email me now and let me know!
Meet Veteran Bay Area Realtor Matt Flynn
This series spotlights entrepreneurs who are working hard to stay current and motivated in their business world as they go it alone in their respective fields. Production by: Stefanie Small
3 Ways to Embolden Your Child's Entrepreneurial Mindset
1. Give kids a taste of being in charge! Nothing is as valuable as real life experience. Help them set up their own small venture, such as a lemonade stand or bake sale. Help them think through what they need, how much ingredients cost, what they'll do if they run out of supplies and how they will attract customers. Hands-on experiences like these build confidence. And nothing teaches financial literacy like the prospect of keeping what you earn.
2. Encourage creative problem-solving. Invite your kids to help brainstorm solutions to family challenges or experiment with different ways to fix everyday problems. (e.g. “Why are we late to school every morning?” or “Why are we always missing shoes?”) When they learn that creative thinking is welcomed and they see it implemented, then later refined, they start to see themselves as problem solvers and are more likely to approach any new situation with curiosity and an entrepreneurial mindset.
3. Introduce them to real-life role models. If entrepreneurship is not in your wheelhouse, connect your kids with mentors who can answer questions and offer encouragement as they start dreaming up their own ideas. You won't have to look far to find someone in your immediate sphere willing to talk!
Referrals are the lifeblood of every small business, including mine!
Do you have a friend who is looking to go into business for themselves?
Is your mom looking to take her jewelry making side hustle to the next level?
Does your brother need new professional photos or a portfolio website for a job search?
You can:
Give them my website: www.StefanieSmall.com
Introduce us over email: sjsmall560@gmail.com
Reach out through LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-small
THANK YOU!
