I never realized how much I would learn about myself as an entrepreneur. There are so many ups and downs, but it’s all worth it in the end. These are the top five lessons that Bennet Schwartz learned during his journey as a business owner:
1. Things won’t always go as planned
You just have to be flexible and learn how to think on the fly to adjust your game plan accordingly. Making changes or learning new skills takes time, but it’s all about getting back up when you fall, so don’t give up!
Even though my business is tech-based, I am an artist at heart with a strong passion for photography (including videography). My art background makes me unique compared to other entrepreneurs in the tech industry because of my artistic perspective, which allows me to create more engaging content, products, designs, etc. and also provide better quality services for my clients
- You can’t do everything on your own
You will need to find the right people who share your vision and become a team that works well together. This way, you can all work towards achieving common goals and success.
I could not have grown my business without the help of others like: developers, designers, marketers, etc. I’ve also gained valuable connections with other entrepreneurs along my journey, which has helped me learn new things. These relationships make it possible to connect outside of our daily jobs to continue learning from each other!
This is one thing I love about working for myself because I get to build long-lasting relationships with creative minds (which inspires me). Plus, there’s nothing better than collaborating with friends to achieve a common goal or learn something new.
- You must put in the hard work
The only way you’ll succeed is by putting your head down and working extremely hard. There’s no magic pill or secret formula that will make things easier, so it takes a lot of time, effort, and patience if you want to be successful.
I had to learn how to manage my time efficiently because I wear many hats as an entrepreneur: marketing specialist, website designer & developer, social media manager, etc., so I needed a system for staying on top of everything. This has been very challenging but rewarding at the same time!
- Networking is important
It’s all about who you know and the relationships that you create along your journey. You never know when someone can help or provide value to your business, so it’s always good to reach out and build new connections.
I recently started a Meetup group for entrepreneurs in Atlanta where we meet up once a month to network with each other (it has been awesome). I also started attending events like this because people everywhere share my interest and passion for brands & marketing, which makes networking fun! Plus, these opportunities give me ideas on how I can grow my career even more, which leads me to my last lesson:
- Be open to new opportunities
I never thought I would be doing something like this, but I am glad that my life led me here. Looking back on it, if you don’t try and push yourself outside of your comfort zone, there will always be a chance for regret.
This is why it’s important not to stick with one thing too long because you never know where your journey may take you next! If someone offered me an opportunity in another field or industry that required different skills than what I already have, then I would learn how to become proficient at those things as quickly as possible (which can sometimes happen quicker than we think)! This way we can continue growing ourselves & our careers even further!
All in all, I can’t think of anything more fulfilling than having the opportunity to learn and grow every day. If you’re interested in starting your own company or expanding an existing one, don’t be afraid to go for it! It’s not easy, but if there is one thing that has become abundantly clear through my entrepreneurial journey thus far, it’s this-nothing worthwhile ever comes without hard work. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and make something happen!
