I have had the privilege of being an entrepreneur for over a decade, I advocate it, I eat and sleep it. I love the pains, the gains and the uncertainties that come with it. I particularly enjoy the process of turning nothing into something, the attendant challenges give me the adrenaline rush compared to that of a junkie.
I encourage others to become entrepreneurs, most especially young men and women with the right passion and zeal required to succeed. The increasing harsh economic condition and joblessness has further driven so many young men and women into the world of entrepreneurship. However, I have also noticed a trend, some young persons with the gift of eloquence, have also turned to motivational speakers, spreading the gospel of “Be Your Own Boss”.
Entrepreneurship is a good thing, as a matter of fact, anyone can be an entrepreneur but in reality, not everyone can be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is a mindset, developed through several factors such as the environment, education, experience, and exposure. Therefore, before you quit your job to become an entrepreneur, regardless of what the motivational speakers have told you, there are basic questions you need to ask and also answer by yourself.
What is your motivation?
Do you want to become an entrepreneur simply because it is a fad or because you are tired of saying “yes sir” to your current boss, or you are tired of working eight hours a day? Trust me you have the wrong reasons, as an entrepreneur, you will continue to say “yes sir” to a new set of bosses, this time your clients. Also, let me shock you, you will literally work twenty-four hours daily. So you need to be clear about your motivation.
What vision do you see?
The ability to see beyond what others are seeing is a critical element for business success. Most times the vision is beyond what the ordinary eyes can see. It is the picture you see when your eyes are closed, the dream you have when your eyes are wide open. It takes the eyes of the mind. As an entrepreneur, you need to have the right vision to succeed.
Are you prepared are you?
Entrepreneurship is War. Only a fool goes to war unprepared. Just like any war, you need to be determined to fight for what you believe in. Even though it is a good thing to fight for whatever cause you believe in but it is suicidal to go to the war front without arms. Same goes for business, you need to arm yourself with the right information before you take the leap.
How much knowledge do you have about the business?
Most young entrepreneurs get excited about ideas or go into a business simply because they have seen someone do it and succeeded. Knowledge is power, to succeed in any business, you need to get the right information about the industry you intend to go into. You need to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible about the business and skill-sets in order to create value.
Are you ready to take the risk?
Entrepreneurship is all about taking risks, calculated risks but rewarding. The higher the risk, the more the rewards. Because business is like a warfare where only the strong survives, the determination to succeed against all odds will see you through. But before you go on to the battlefront, you need to be ready to be mentally prepared to win or lose, sometimes but the experience is worth it.
Are you passionate enough?
In your entrepreneurship journey, you will be faced with various challenges; there will be ups and downs, good days and sad days, there will be wins and losses, there will be times to celebrate but there will also come a when you want to leave everything and run away but when those challenging moments come, passion is the only thing that will keep you going.
So before you take the leap, are you ready? If the answer is YES, then take the plunge, pretty soon you will be happy you did!
TAOPHEEK BABAYEJU
abdulwasi'i ilyas
the lessons inherent in the entrepreneural process are much more than one can learn from the books or from the lips of any motivational speaker, though, these two are indispensable.
Wale Salami
This is one of the most candid and practical piece I’ve ever read on Entrepreneurship. I share your concerns about these present crop of ‘motivators’ and enterpirise creation crusaders and their maddening knack for pushing people into starting businesses without effective guidance and practical tools. The fact that most of them have zero or no practical experience as entrepreneurs is even more worrisome.
Thank you writing such a balanced piece and sounding a warning bell.
Otolorin
Sir Taopheek,
This is awesome.
I have bookmarked your site.
Adegoke seyi
Am persionate abt biz
Bello Emmanuel
What a lovely piece!
I support you more when you said money come last in business….So many got the money with no knowledge and the money disappeared.
Toye Iyanda
Taopheek you have spoken, spoke very rightly and your story is very True i can testify. More greese to your elbow.
Toye Iyanda
Tosin Dania
I agree with you. The business landscape is littered with the carcasses and graves of business ideas prematurely conceived and gone awry. The so called 95% drop out stat tells it all. But what’ll we accomplish without mistakes and failures? Unfortunately , this environment is not quite tolerant of failures. STILL, let the real entrepreneurs be prepared; be ready to move from failures to failure without loss of motivation.
Dare Dada
I almost thought you were referring to me initially. Like seriously, I almost became a motivation speaker overnite when I graduated from the University and had no job. Lo and alas, I started reading motivational books and I felt I was equiped at a point. Nothing motivates people than citing practical examples of how u have failed and succeeded in the process of becoming a success as an enterpreneur. Thanx for this piece. May God bless u
Nick Eke
My brother you have written a piece I consider as one of the most important manuals any intending entrepreneur or existing one needs to go through. I thank God I have someone who shares my thought as well. I have always told folks that I find it difficult to ask a civil servant or someone on a salaried job to come talk about business or entrepreneurship. Being Soldier is not enough to talk about war. You must have fought in the battles front to qualify to talk war. There are things you can’t find inside the pages of books that requires one to see, touch and share the testimony. You did flow from your bowels. More grace and more of the truth.
Aransiola Olatunji
Taopheek,
Good talk, you have really revealed what was hidden. You need the humility ‘yes sir’ in every facet of life.