Steps to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur

Succeeding  as an entrepreneur takes hard work and persistence because, unfortunately,  there is no business-startup fairy who magically bestows success on small  businesses and their owners.

Most  successful entrepreneurs follow comparable patterns and share similar basic  characteristics. Hundreds of online articles and published books claim to know  the secret of success in business, but for the most part, they boil down to the  same major points.

Passion,  perseverance and a positive attitude tend to set successful entrepreneurs  apart. Cultivating these attributes requires an innate skill set and some tips  to get started.

So  here are the main items to take into consideration if you’re trying to develop  a business platform. These elements constitute will support a smart strategy  for any new enterprise:

1. Love what you do.

Passion  is key to keeping a business strategy moving and becoming a successful entrepreneur. Half-heartedness in an  entrepreneurial endeavor will chip away at your drive to succeed. Perseverance  is the one thing that’s guaranteed to move anything over time, whether it’s a  person, a job or an entire company. Abraham Lincoln failed at most of his  efforts until late in his life, but he never gave up.

2. Learn  from others.

Successful  entrepreneurs often worked for others in their field of choice before striking  out on their own. Spending a few years in the industry under an excellent  mentor will provide a good launching pad. Learn from your predecessors’  mistakes and brainstorm about how to improve upon their model. Find someone  willing to teach, and think about starting your business elsewhere when you  leave.

3. Learn  how to self-promote.

Confidence  and a good elevator speech can take any pitch to the next level. The first  marketing any company experiences comes from its founder. Spend time learning  how to share your vision without coming across as “salesy.” Don’t be afraid to  ask for the sale, but remember: the client is always the focus.

4. Make a plan.

One quality of entrepreneurs is that they read about successful businesses. Take in the wealth of knowledge that’s been  provided by successful entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs and the personalities  from Shark Tank. A successful business plan does not have to be a book. A  10-page plan is digestible yet long enough to include everything you need to  start.

5. It’s never too late to start.

Many  successful entrepreneurs started later in life. J. K. Rowling (Harry Potter  author), Julia Child (chef), and Sam Walton (Wal-Mart) all started their wildly  successful brands after they were comfortably along in their lives. Having the  experience that comes with age can give you a unique outlook on your business.  Life experiences bring depth that the most educated young adult, by his or her  nature, is less able to foresee.

6. Be mindful of your attitude.

The  attitude of the founder will set the tone for the business. Negativity,  laziness and entitlement waste time and money while they tarnish your reputation.  Success largely depends on making mistakes and accepting blame in stride.  Owning up to and facing challenges head-on is what makes a mere business owner  a leader.

Striking  a balance may take a while, but working toward this list as a goal for starting  your company will make the difference. How an owner feels about progress and  how quickly a business can be up and running — and feeding that bottom line —  will swiftly feel the impact.

To  read the entire article, go to: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/240184