A Mom Entrepreneur's thoughts on: #2 & 3 of 53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur

For several blogs going forward, I'm going to share with you my thoughts on a great blog post: "53 things to keep in mind if you want to become a better entrepreneur." by Neil Patel. His blog Quick Sprout is a must read. The original list is here: http://www.quicksprout.com/2009/08/07/51-ways-to-become-a-better-entrepreneur/


2. Accept criticism, no matter who gives it to you.


Do you live in a town that has statues of historical people? Some of them are well known, like Martin Luther King Jr. and George Washington to the more obscure Stevie Ray Vaughn (he’s in Austin, TX on Auditorium Shores, a blues player of influence in the music industry). What they have in common is they were criticized! Did they cower and decide not to go for what they believed in???

I’m ready for more woman statues out there!!!! Criticism makes us stronger. Listen to those that don’t like you or don’t like what you are about. They will tell you think your friends will never tell you. It might hurt and make us not want to move forward but if you use the information wisely it will make you stronger and better!

If you are not getting any criticism and it’s only “what at great idea.” You are not talking to the right people. Get honest feedback – this is the only way to grow and improve.

I like that Neil, says “no matter who gives it to you.” I got it good from my 4 year old the other day and I deserved it. You never know where the good ideas are going to come from. I even get mother advice from a friend who has no children. You scoff? She’s got nieces and nephews, she’s smart and she observes. Don’t think she doesn’t know a thing or two. Sometimes people the farthest away from the situation will have the freshest eyes.


3. Never stop networking.

You will not be able to ride a tide for long. The best surfers get out there over and over and over again because the tide does roll in. You have to make connections – fresh connections on a regular basis or your business will wave on into the shore and wither away. There will be a time after a start up when you can relax because part of your business will be referral but you can’t sustain a business this way. You might not have to market and network as hard but you do have to keep it up. Even Coke and Pepsi still market and advertise.

You have started your business but you never know who you are going to meet! If you decide to not network then you might not meet that special someone who would partner up with you and take your business to a multi-million dollar business!

Don’t like to network? Tough. You can’t avoid it. Sitting in your office or at your kitchen table is not meeting people.

Don’t want to go out in the evening because of your kids? You don’t have to do the evening events. There are plenty of lunch dates and breakfast groups. You can start an EPMA chapter that meets in the morning after the kids go to school.

Think of networking as always taking an opportunity to talk about business. For example, that Tupperware party you’ve been invited too? Perhaps the hostess will give you a moment for everyone to introduce themselves and you can also introduce your business.

NEVER GO OUT WITHOUT BUSINESS CARDS!!!!!!

Wishing you continued success,
Lorin