15 things that illustrate the entrepreneurial journey

One’s entrepreneurial journey may differ from others. However, there are patterns, challenges or wins that may resemble other people's business experiences. These similarities are key learnings that can prepare upcoming entrepreneurs for the impediments ahead. It is to convey to those on the starting line that there are mavens who can relate to their trials and are willing to help them out.

That is the essence of EO. If you have browsed through the stories shared on this site, you will find inspiration from the people who braved tough times to make their businesses grow. They have mentioned certain elements or pieces to help us grasp their entrepreneurial passage better. Some of these experiences you can relate to a particular item that can provide a visual illustration of how a business journey unfolds. It will help you to fully comprehend what is to come and how you can approach your entrepreneurial voyage with the right attitude and mindset.

Take as much stuff as you can on your journey. There’s no weight limit when it comes to bringing some best practices and learnings from your entrepreneurial adventure. We got some ideas from the stories of EO Melbourne members. So, pack up the best insights that can help you get to your destination.

1. Canvas

Entrepreneurship is about creativity. Whether you are in an artistic field or a rigid discipline, you create something. Every stroke you do, every colour you put, every line you draw helps form a creative picture of what you want to achieve in the long term. Not every part of the portrait may be lovely. There may be some blots here and there – mistakes you’ve made, circumstances beyond your control, or a sudden turn of events that may lead you south – but you can always do something to add a touch of beauty. Your experiences, good or bad, make up for a magnificent masterpiece that others can admire.

2. Lens and magnifying glass

As an entrepreneur, you get to see what others don’t see. You see an opportunity, you spot a promising talent, or you visualise your end goals. Vision is an important aspect of running a business. And while you look at things at a macro level, you also need to pay attention to the details. It’s not just about checking your financial books or processes. You also need to take a look at relationships, connections, and people. Perspective is another thing. Your entrepreneurial lens can help you make your sights clearer if you consider various facets of your industry, positive or negative. Even when things may not work out well for you, you can take a look at things from an optimistic, yet realistic standpoint.

3. Sports team

You win some. You lose some. You learn from both winning and losing. Being in a sports team is like traversing through stumbling blocks and obstacles. It’s a matter of endurance and discipline. You have to go through rigorous tests, trails, and training sessions to strengthen your entrepreneurial muscles. To put them to good use, you need to get into the arena, inside the playing field. Running a business is also comparable to coaching a sports team. You lead a group of players that can help you earn a score. Teamwork is essential to winning a game. Having a strategy is key to unlocking potentials to success. When victory comes, you celebrate and move on to prepare for the next game.

4. Blueprint

Careful planning is needed to build a good structure. And it goes the same for business. Albeit there may be instances where a business is born out of unexpected circumstances, a good plan is still needed to allow that business to expand and grow. A well-thought-of blueprint will ensure all the significant features of an enterprise are in place to be able to construct an impressive edifice.

5. Building tools

If the entrepreneurial journey is comparable to a blueprint, it is also relatable to building tools. These construction devices will put together the different parts of a building. As small as the nuts and bolts can hold all the pieces in place. Proper implementation is necessary to carry out an effective plan. The tools will help you execute your strategies to build up to your goal. Eventually, if you want to have a strong enterprise that can last beyond its startup stage and longer, proper facilities have to be in place – systems, processes, products, services, people, branding – that will serve as your foundation, posts, walls, doors, flooring, ceiling and façade.

6. Rollercoaster

Founding a business and making it grow is not a steady climb. Even the most successful of businesspeople also falters at times. They are not immune to hardships and difficulties. There will always be highs and lows, ascent and descent, peaks and troughs. Certain parts may make you nauseous, but just be patient because you’ll eventually get to the end line. All you have to do is buckle up, prepare yourself and enjoy the ride.

7. Train or bus

How are you going to drive your bus? Who are the people aboard your train? Being a business owner is a leadership role. You are the captain, and you decide on the speed and direction of your vehicle. Decision-making is something that entrepreneurs do day in and day out. Part of that decision is choosing the people that should be on your bus – your team, your partners, your clients or customers, your suppliers - and which way you should take. There are twists and turns, so you have to be alert at all times.

8. Bamboo tree

Nurturing and managing a business is also likened to cultivating a bamboo tree, specifically a moso tree. It doesn’t show growth in the first few years. But when it does, it grows at an accelerated rate. Success does not happen overnight. That is why patience and endurance are needed to reap the harvest that you have painstakingly planted. Moreover, a bamboo tree exhibits resilience. The entrepreneurial journey is often unpredictable. Ergo, an entrepreneur must be pliable enough to steer his business to the proper course. His flexibility is a strength that allows him to adapt to changes in the wind’s direction.

9. Timepiece

Like a timepiece, being in the entrepreneurial tracks means you have to be constantly in motion. Every second, every minute, every hour is significant. Entrepreneurs value the sense of urgency as they put a premium on time. There may be different kinds of timepieces, as there are various types of businesses. There are sports watches, collector’s items, or funky clocks. Regardless of its design or price, each timepiece tells time. There may be huge companies, startups or medium-scale enterprises. Then again, all of them go through ups and downs in delivering the product or service they provide to consumers.

10. Jungle

It’s the survival of the fittest. There are harsh environs as well as unfriendly inhabitants. Getting into the business space is not easy at all. Competition, turbulent industries, internal struggles and unpredictable market changes make up for the tough terrain. The learning experiences may vary, but most of it, you learn by doing. Thus, getting a mentor to guide you through the trail is advantageous in outlasting the entrepreneurial jungle. You have to be strong in facing risks and threats to your business. Resourcefulness and adaptability will help you subsist in ferocious surroundings.

11. Ocean

Apart from the wild, the business journey is also comparable to the ocean. You have to brave rough waters and tumultuous waves to get your entrepreneurial ship to port. There are instances wherein you have to either sink or swim. Business owners battle out the dangerous waters to get to safe harbour. Not many endure their entrepreneurial voyage. Some collapse, while others go bust. Some are consumed by competition. But the unrelenting ones make it big, and they make it to shore.

12. Waves and boulders

Rocks are hard materials. But with the non-stop hitting of the waves at sea, it is often deformed. Over time, those waves can drive a hole through a stone. The same with running a business, it requires tenacity and determination to achieve one’s goals. There may be hiccups and missteps, but they are not barriers to triumphs. The way to success is to rise each time you fall and to keep going. There may be some hits and misses when it comes to achieving feats. But as long as you continue to strike and never give up, you’ll eventually hit the mark.

13. Mining

Conquest in business is like mining for precious minerals. You cannot fully discern the business landscape unless you get into the tunnel. Victory does not present itself in the onset. You have to dig deep and work hard to find it. You can only find what you are looking for if you keep digging. With that, you have to continue even when you seem to be facing a blank wall. Who knows? Maybe your next blow on the earth will uncover mounds of gems.

14. Heart rate monitor

Trudging the business path may often be lonely because those who are not in your position cannot totally comprehend what you go through. But a business owner is not totally isolated from others. Having a business entails dealing with people – partners, teammates, suppliers, clients, and prospective customers. As an entrepreneur, you have to be sensitive to the people around you. It’s not true of what others think that a business owner has no boss. The customers are the boss, and there are plenty of them. That is why you need to feel the pulse of your market to adjust to their modifications. Even if you may reach a certain point of success, you still have to be constantly cognizant of their needs and wants. Monitoring them will warn you of possible dangers.

15. Puzzle

Getting into business is like solving a puzzle. There are various pieces that you have to put together. Most enterprises spring out from a pain point or need. Your business should provide the answer or solution to such necessity. Not all pieces may arrive at the same time. They come in bits, and you sometimes need to look for them. Once you get all the pieces right, you can put it together and achieve your goal.

What item represents your business journey? What lessons can others get from your experience? How about the learnings you get from other business owners? Read their stories and be inspired by their entrepreneurial adventures. Embark on your own voyage with this knowledge in mind.

Bumper stickers for entrepreneurs to get them going

Getting caught in a traffic jam can sometimes be stressful or boring. When the flow seems slow-moving, how do you keep yourself amused on the road? Take a good look at your surroundings to get an idea or two. Better yet, read those bumper stickers that can sometimes be funny or inspiring. People often put them out for others to know who they are or what they believe or represent. As an entrepreneur, what do you want to convey to others behind you, who are on the way to their entrepreneurial journey?

Here are some lines that you can stick on your vehicle bumper and inspire those who are at the crossroads of their lives. These are tips gathered from EO Melbourne members we have interviewed. Budding entrepreneurs or those who are contemplating to start a business can learn a thing or two from the following passages. Those who are ahead can pass it on to others. Nevertheless, it’s a good cue for anyone who is on the business path.

1.) Fuel your drive. Go passion forward.

Passion. It is a powerful word that we get to hear a lot from business owners. Passion is the fire in the belly that makes them go through obstacles and stumbling blocks just to do what they desire the most. Passion is the fuel that gets an entrepreneur moving, even when things don’t seem to work out well for them. In fact, one learning they kept on repeating is “do what you love and love what you do”.

If you are still at the beginning of your journey, load up with lots of passion. That will provide you with the needed boost to propel you forward. If you’re somewhere in the middle or farther on your journey, passion is what will give you the energy to recharge and face insurmountable challenges and disappointments. Also, passion can be contagious, but it can die down if you don’t nurture it. Hence, hold on to it while you can, and generously share it with others.

2.) Plan ahead. Chart your route.

There are stories wherein a business took form under unexpected circumstances. Sometimes, opportunities come, and the best thing to do is to grab them before they drive away. So, you often start without a clear picture of what’s ahead. On the other hand, there are entrepreneurial journeys that are premeditated. Careful thinking and preparation are done right at the beginning. You know perfectly well what you want and where to go before embarking on a business adventure. Either way, whichever point you are in your entrepreneurial track, planning is a vital component that allows a business to stay afloat, to grow more and to achieve big goals.

Goal-setting and planning are pertinent lessons that EO Melbourne members have picked from their learning events. True enough, it is crucial to know the route towards your destination. Do research. Gather data. Come up with a checklist. Map out how you will arrive at your goal. It’s a good feeling when you know exactly where you are heading and how to bring your business to that point. Planning can even help you accelerate things to get there faster. That will also prepare you for the twists and turns that you may encounter along the way.

3.) Take courage. Face your fears.

Some entrepreneurs admit that there were things that scared them when they started their businesses. There may be a few who were more daring as they began at a young age because they had little or nothing to lose. But as they mature, certain things begin to worry them. For instance, cash flow, debts, problem employees, and the changing business landscape can keep them up all night.

Courage is one characteristic that makes entrepreneurs stand out above the rest. They face their fears and take risks because they want to carve their respective paths. Even when the ride ahead seems tumultuous, they continue to move forward with the determination to arrive at their next stop. Don’t be afraid to fail. Be disruptive. Innovate and challenge yourself. In the end, what you do will make a difference in your life, in others, and in society.

4.) Stay in the positive lane. Wear a smile.

The entrepreneurial journey is like a roller-coaster ride. It’s not a straight path. It goes through peaks and troughs, potholes, and sharp curves. There will always be situations and instances that can dishearten a business owner, especially with all the effort they pour into their ventures. Amidst all the disappointments, positivity is a quality that can make the experience more colourful and less dreary. To do this, focus on what you’re good at, as well as pleasant things around you. If there are bumps and problems in the path, be solution-driven. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. Follow that light instead of staying in the dark.

Another thing that entrepreneurs picked from EO is to be grateful for all the things they experience, good or bad. There are countless reasons to thank for every day. Even dreadful and difficult situations can mould you to become better and stronger. Take a moment to think of those things and be thankful for what they have brought to you and made you become. And smile often.

5.) Never give up. Drive on.

For others, it may sound like a cliché. But for entrepreneurs, it is a grain of wisdom that they need to consume every day. Persistence, perseverance, relentlessness, determination, patience, tenacity, endurance, and the list goes on. All these words are summed up in one mantra: “Don’t give up”.

Having your own business is often akin to going into battle. You battle it out with the business landscape, with your competitors, with people around you, and, most of all, with yourself. In business, there are those who quit after the first year of operation. Some ventures don’t fly in the initial stages. But those that survive and last long are those that persist. Success does not happen overnight. There may be traffic jams, but keep driving, and you will eventually get to your destination.

6.) Work hard. Make it happen.

Victories and achievements don’t just come knocking. It takes a lot of hard work to earn them. Business owners become successful because they spend sleepless nights to make the best, do the best and be the best in their spot under the sun. It is a reality that sacrifices have to be made for them to thrive in their ventures. The entrepreneurial trail is no easy voyage. They reap bountiful harvest because they sow the right seeds and cultivate them diligently.

There are no shortcuts to triumphs. You have to labour for it and invest in it – physically, financially, emotionally and mentally. Luck plays a small part in the equation. The huge chunk of it is in the hard work that you put into your business. You’ll never get to the peak unless you do the climb. And it takes more effort to go uphill than to go downwards.

7.) Find your tribe. Be a trailblazer.

Surround yourself with the right people, whether inside the business or outside of it. Join groups like EO Melbourne that can further help develop yourself. Having good companions will make your entrepreneurial journey more exciting and worthwhile.

One of the humps that business owners encounter in their ride is hiring the wrong people and not firing them too fast. Choose people that fit your organisational needs – skills, behaviour, attitude, passion – you name it. Once you have formed an impressive team, nurture it. Remember that as the business owner, you are also the leader. You are the trailblazer. Carve the culture you want to cultivate. Align your team with your goals. Develop your people. You hold the steering wheel in your hands, and you control the pedal with your foot. It is up to you to speed up or slow down, to go straight or go backwards, to make a stop or take a turn. Just make sure that your team is with you towards your journey’s final stop.

8.) Ask questions. You’ll get there faster.

To avoid getting lost, ask questions. That will take you faster to your destination. Sometimes, all it takes is one powerful question to generate the right answers, insights, and concepts that can help change the course of your journey for the better. Also, to ask is to acknowledge that you don’t have the monopoly of bright ideas. Humility is a good ingredient to becoming a good leader.

9.) Stop, look, and listen

Stop making noise. Look at your surroundings. Listen to others. Listening is one practice that many of our entrepreneurs mention time and time again. It is necessary for decision-making. Listening encourages openness. You also learn more when you hear the opinions of others. That is why we have two ears and just one mouth, with a huge brain in between.

Listen to your people. Listen to the market. Listen to your partners. Listen to your clients and customers. Listen to your loved ones. Listen to your body. By listening well, you know when to avoid danger or when to chase after an opportunity.

10.) Keep learning

Wherever you are in your entrepreneurial career, there is always room for improvement. You have to grow alongside your business. It is the natural way of things. Expand your knowledge, augment your skills, and enhance your capabilities. You can do this by attending as much learning events as you can, listening to experts, reading books, and exposing yourself to various situations that will stretch your entrepreneurial muscle.

Now, which bumper sticker will you put on your car window? Some of these might be reminders you need to repeat to yourself every now and then. Or, it could be that you have experienced them yourself that you want others to learn from them. So, what else can stall you? Start that entrepreneurial engine, get it going and rev off towards your end goal.

10 things about superheroes that you can relate to entrepreneurship

By now, you have probably read the stories of our EO Melbourne members on how they traversed their respective entrepreneurial paths. Many, if not all of them, went through arduous experiences to get to where they are today. If before, you would have probably asked, “how did they do that?” now, you might have exclaimed, “wow, they did all that!” Thus, it comes as no surprise if some people regard these entrepreneurs as a kind of hero, drawing inspiration from them.

We love great stories. We like to hear exploits of heroes who emerged as winners against all odds. Based on the stories we’ve read on business owners, there is something about superheroes that we can link back to entrepreneurship. They may not be entirely similar but there are certainly parallelisms between the two.

These past years, superhero movies banner the big screen one after another. Sure, those caped crusaders and masked heroes have awesome kick-ass moves that make us root for them, the same way we look up to those individuals who are now at the helm of successful businesses. But underneath the glitz and glamour, the cheers and the applause, there are insurmountable undertakings lined up for superheroes. How they hurdle all those obstacles is what thickens the plot, which we all crave to watch.

Let us take a closer look at superhero stories and spot the parallels with the entrepreneurial journeys of business owners.

1.  A superhero was once an underdog

Even heroes born with superpowers had been bullied or had to go through hardships at the early point of their lives. It was when they experienced being at the bottom that they felt the pain of those who were in the same boat as they are. That pain is often the wick that ignites the burning fire within superheroes to help others and save the world.

Based on the stories shared in the blog articles in this site, entrepreneurs, even those born in a family of business people, experienced several difficulties and adversities. Their pain points drove them to start their respective businesses and provide solutions to society’s problems. And as they started with their enterprise, the birth pains were constantly present. These sufferings can be a motivation that can push them forward to reach for their dreams and turn them into reality.

2. Testing the superpower and controlling it

Upon discovering the power they held, our superheroes didn’t jump out immediately and go about saving people. The biggest challenge in the onset was to master what their power could do and control the energy emanating from within them. Once they learn the extent of their power, that's when they make their debut to the public.

Starting a business does not mean it will yield profits overnight. It takes a bit of training and getting used to the environment before you get to grasp the ins and outs of running an enterprise. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t get to see the results you want in a short span of time. Learning is a continuous process. You’ll be able to get there with determination and relentlessness.

3. Symbols are significant

Superman has his red cape and “S” symbol. Captain America has the star. Batman has his bat sign. Each one of them has a costume and an insignia that enable people to identify who they are. People know who does the good deeds and whom to call for help. Those costumes also hide their true identity as superheroes do not want to brandish who they are.

Your brand is important to your business. It makes people identify and connect with your products and services. That is a significant part of marketing. But as you build your business and as you expand your empire, keep your feet on the ground. One piece of advice that entrepreneurs impart to budding startup owners is to stay as humble as they can despite the successes they garner.

4. Responsibilities, responsibilities, responsibilities

“With great power comes great responsibility,” Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben uttered in the Spiderman movie. Being a superhero is no joke. They work round the clock, responding to calls for help whenever they can. If you have been following the epic stories of superheroes, you’ll find that they often lose their family, friends and loved ones. And while they possess superpowers, they also have limitations. Those powers are intended for the good of others and not just for selfish gains.

Similarly, entrepreneurs have a lot on their plate. Besides, heading an enterprise is not a popularity contest. Owning a startup is a position of responsibility. Business owners have to oversee their team, ensure a positive bottom line, and supervise operations with utmost standards. For entrepreneurs, work is life. They are so passionate about their business that they often lose sleep over it. Accountability is one of the many things that we keep on hearing from business owners because it is necessary for achieving one’s goals.

5. Heroes save the world, but they also need to be saved

Superheroes save those who are in emergency situations. They fight crimes. They rescue those who call for help. They put out fires any time of the day. But have you observed that there are scenes wherein the superhero is often on the brink of defeat? Sometimes, a loved one would be able to save that hero. Despite their powers, they are often in need of heroes themselves.

Leading a company can often put one in a lonely position. Business owners oversee everything, but it seems that no one has got their back. Or so it seems. Behind every successful entrepreneur is a family or loved one that gives strength to keep the entrepreneur going.

6. It’s not just the cape – it’s the wind – that make superheroes fly

Caped superheroes can fly. But it’s not just that piece of clothing or their superpower that helps them fly high above the sky and beyond, defying the force of gravity. It is the wind that provides the force to propel them upward and soar like a bird.

Entrepreneurs attribute most of their successes to an effective team that helps them achieve their goals. Selecting the right staff members is one of the challenges that business owners face. However, once they are able to hire the people that perfectly fit into their business culture, they can do things by leaps and bounds.

7. Shield and armour are necessary for defence

Despite their powers and weapons, heroes still need some form of defence from attacks against them. Their suits, shield or accessories can help protect them from danger and minimise damage.

In business, some form of security and insurance is needed to protect one’s venture. One cannot know what may happen, so it’s always helpful to prepare for the worst. Entrepreneurs will go to certain lengths to protect their business, their ideas, their people, and their customers.

8. For every superhero, there is a villain

There won’t be a hero without a villain to face. It’s like a stamp needed for one to be a superhero. There is always someone that will make a hero’s life a living hell. Villains wreak havoc and create chaos for humanity. Don't they make the story even more exciting?

Even in business, there are so-called “villains” that create a dent in a brand or a venture. They can be competition, problem partners or employees, economic downturn, or even the business owners themselves. Sometimes, the setback can be the mistakes that entrepreneurs commit or internal struggles they have to battle out. There are demons to fight, whether internally or externally. Obstructions seem to be an ever-present entity in anyone's entrepreneurial journey. On the other hand, these obstacles also help mould entrepreneurs to be better individuals and stronger leaders.

9. Joining a league is an “in” thing

There’s the Justice League, the Avengers, and the X-Men, to cite some examples. We love it when heroes band together to fight a greater evil. There’s strength in numbers and the more diverse powers they can pool, the more undefeatable they become.

At some juncture in the journey, business owners realise the need to be with like-minded individuals that can relate to the struggles they are experiencing. This realisation led some of them to join groups like Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Melbourne. EO has become a strong support system for these entrepreneurs through their forum, not to mention the continuous learnings that help hone their capabilities. Members of EO Melbourne emphasise the great value it brings to their business and personal lives.

10. The battle is endless

Many of these superhero movies have sequels or varied versions. That’s because their mission is ongoing. As long as there is a need in this world, superheroes are here to stay. Also, with new challenges in our society that are mirrored in these movies, expect additional superheroes to crop up in the future.

Most entrepreneurs say that the challenges never stop. At the same time, the learning is incessantly never ending. Every milestone calls for bigger expectations. For every victory, there is a new goal set. As they move towards expanding their business ventures, a new adventure awaits along their entrepreneurial journey.

Becoming an entrepreneur is an exciting prospect. People may have several misconceptions about owning a business. For some, it seems like a daunting thing to do. For others, they may deem it boring. There are a few that only see the successes entrepreneurs are reaping. Unless we read their stories and be inspired by them, we’ll never fully appreciate the colourful journey they are taking.

According to Christopher Reeve, the American actor who portrayed the role of Superman, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” And so is an entrepreneur.