To err is to be human, as we are all told. How annoying – how presumptuous! Maybe some of us strive NOT to err, as a rule of thumb – maybe some of us are pretty faultless, and therefore our professional and personal lives follow suit. Everything planned and timed to perfection; no excuses….Except no; in fact, that’s actually a fantasy-world. No-one, no business, NONE of us, … [Read more...]
The Reluctant Entrepreneur
While for many, the career choice of entrepreneurship answers the call of destiny, for others there is no calling, until necessity knocks at their door. Often referred to as the ‘Necessity Entrepreneur’, (a purely descriptive term), those that find themselves on this path do so out of personal or professional circumstances that leave them no option but to work for … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurship – A Lonely Quest?
Undoubtedly, entrepreneurs are traditionally seen as singular in their role---the founder, the lone-ranger, the decider of all, the solitary leader. That’s a tough place to inhabit and it sounds very lonely! As they say, “It’s tough at the top!” However, in this day and age, there is no excuse to exist in isolation, even if you’re running a one-person entity or small … [Read more...]
Root Causes of Working IN Your Business, Not ON Your Business
One of the most common issues facing my solo-entrepreneur clients is frustration, often followed swiftly by fatigue. Suddenly swamped by so many roles, so many decisions, so many tasks, while trying to conserve expenditure – weariness sets in. What started as a dream business idea, to hone and drive further, has now become a 24/7 job, with no escape route. You realize you’re … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurship – Why Gender Is Not an Issue
I am going to be totally frank with you all. I have never entertained the idea that my gender was an issue with regards to how I approached my working life as an entrepreneur---ever. I am using ‘issue’ in the same way I would use ‘matter of contention’ by the way. Similarly, I have never let my nationality, age, height, number of offspring, etc. become an issue in running … [Read more...]
Networks – The Entrepreneur’s Oxygen
Occasionally, when I broach the subject of networks with my entrepreneurial coaching clients, it elicits a slight flicker of hesitation. It may be fleeting, but I notice it, as I’m attuned to this reaction. I explain that I’m not really talking about the term ‘networking’ per se, although the two are of course intrinsically linked. I’m not trying to launch them out there into … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurs: When Visualizing Leads to Visualizations
I spoke with a client recently about visualizing. I asked how she pictured seeing her business in 12 months time. “Gosh, I don’t have time for daydreaming,” was her response, fixing me with a confused look. This made me slightly concerned considering her desire to develop and grow her business. However, after I carefully outlined this process of enormous potential, she … [Read more...]
Sometimes You Just Have to Write that Check!
I am all for saving on costs – particularly during the heady days during the business start-up phase. In fact to be fair, this phase often drags on a bit depending on the scalability of your business. I’m really talking about smaller indigenous businesses here, such as retail businesses---maybe you’re opening a café or a hair salon, or maybe you’re offering a service such as … [Read more...]
How to Find your Niche as a Potential Entrepreneur
So you’ve decided you want to work for yourself and you’ve been inspired to strike out on your own – excellent! You may have great work experience or recently graduated, or you may be returning to the workforce. In fact, there is no set definition of what an entrepreneur is composed of. The important factor at this juncture is your entrance into the marketplace – put simply, … [Read more...]
Self Confidence and the Female Entrepreneur
In Ireland, there is a strong, on-going government initiative to encourage entrepreneurship. In conjunction with the global recession of the past eight years or so, Ireland also experienced its own devastating banking crisis. During, and since this awful time, realization dawned that entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy. Their strength, in the face of uncertainty, … [Read more...]