I quit my job in 2015. I wasn’t really sure what I would be doing or where I would see myself within the next five years (the things interviewers and my parents ask me over and over again).
Right now my most dreaded question is "what do you do for a living?". Please, where would I start from?
Right now my most dreaded question is "what do you do for a living?". Please, where would I start from?
5 Golden Rules For Creative Entrepreneurs
I consider myself to be an entrepreneur. Maybe not purely an entrepreneur. Maybe a lifestyle entrepreneur. Maybe a media entrepreneur. Maybe a creative entrepreneur. Mehn, I don't even know. Does it even matter? You can call yourself whatever you want . . . It's a free world, isn't it?
If someone had told me like 10 years ago that I'd ditch Accounting, I just might have given them a punch on the face. If someone had told me like 5 years ago that I'd have a home studio and be a producer of voice-over, I'd call them jokers. If someone had told me 2 years ago that I would be hosting red carpet and events, I'd never had believed them. If someone had told me 2 years ago I would write stories about my life and publish them on a blog, I'd call them crazy.
I never saw me taking this route.
If you ask me right now where I would see myself in the next five years, I would probably tell you that I am going to grab every opportunity along the way, as long as it sounds interesting and I can learn a lot.
Do I sound like a creative entrepreneur? I guess so.
Do I sound like a creative entrepreneur? I guess so.
I love anything that challenges my creativity.
Spontaneity spurs me on. Having plans usually holds me back from experiencing and trying out new things. So I have stopped having specific plans. My plans don't usually work out anyways. God disrupts them every time. Now I just go with the flow. . . following my Heart Rays.
It’s been more than a year since I quit my job. And I have learnt so much about being an entrepreneur. I feel like these lessons or rules might be valuable for someone out there.
I enjoy sharing my best thoughts and lessons here because I read them too. This is not something you would come across while searching for an article on Google.
These are what I had to learn (and I'm learning) the hard way. I figured them out during the last 14 months doing whatever it is I’m doing.
RULE #1
It Is Not About Your Product
The challenge for entrepreneurs isn’t about building products anymore. Anybody can create products. In fact, everybody has a product.
Today, the real challenge is about finding your real market, your real audience or clients and having the necessary skills required to solve problems and meet targets.
Focus more on people. You need to know WHO needs you and when they need you. It's like knowing how to use a sharp pin and a blunt pin. Please learn "how to" first . . . your skills set you apart.
RULE #2
Start Building Up Demand
You really don't have to have a product before you start talking about it. Start interacting with your prospective customers/clients. The more you interact with your customers, the higher the probability of successful sales in the future.
So talk about what you do on your social media platforms, your customers/clients are already following you. Read more on Divine Business Tips
RULE #3
It's OK To Fail
No one is perfect at anything at first attempt. We all have to start at some point and most of us will fail in the beginning. I still suck as an entrepreneur, but I’m willing to work on improving my game every single day. And that’s what really counts if you want to become a better entrepreneur.
Keep working on yourself. Everyday.
Start first, then you can become a pro. That was exactly my thought when I tried mixing print on print for the first time.
RULE #4
Have A Fantastic Blog
I believe every entrepreneur should have a blog. One of the most important ways to acquire potential customers is by blogging. Your product won’t go viral. Your product description won’t go viral. The only thing that might help you get the word about the things you’re doing out there is the incredibly valuable content you create for your readers on your blog.
Like I mentioned earlier, I'm a lifestyle entrepreneur. As a media personality, my lifestyle is my product. That's why I share everything about me shamelessly.
Can't tell you how much my blog has been helpful to me. (kisses to my readers).
RULE #5
You Are More Creative When You Are Broke
The less you have, the more creative and innovative you will be. Scarcity will make you focus on the most important thing. Think about packing for a journey. If you take a big suitcase you will unconsciously pack things you don't need. But if your suitcase is small, you'll be more creative and focus on packing things you really need.
I remember when I was so broke and I needed new clothes badly. What did I do? I recycled my dress to a new peplum top!
Alrightie.
These are just a few things I came up with in 20 minutes using the Mind Releasing Strategy. There are no universal rules for being an entrepreneur. My rules might change after tonight gan sef. You've got to have your own rules.
Being an entrepreneur really sucks. It is chaotic, anarchic, somehow zigzag and it requires you to be VERY flexible. Flexibility means never putting your eggs in one basket. Flexibility means being able to adapt to change easily.
You can tell from the title of this article that I had planned to tell you how frustrating being an entrepreneur can be, but I changed my mind. You see? That's the flexibility I just told you about.
*wipes face*
Always believe and affirm this:
As an entrepreneur, you are bound to wear as many hats . I am a voice-over artist. I am a red carpet host. I am an inspirational speaker. I am a face model. I am a personal stylist. And just recently . . . I am a sewist.
Want to work with me? CLICK HERE :)
Want to work with me? CLICK HERE :)
Are you an entrepreneur? What do you do? What have you learnt on your journey so far? Please share in the comment box below. Thank you.
Written by Nwamaka Ajaegbu
Let's connect on Twitter: @Amakamedia
Let's connect on Instagram: @amakamedia
Do Email: amakamedia@yahoo.com
And Bloglovin: Amakamedia
Heart Rays . . . giving out the light.
