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By Gary Gorman, on July 20th, 2011
For this latest interview in my series ‘Inside the Entrepreneur’s Mind’ I’m delighted to be featuring my good friend SHARON GASKIN from The Trainers Training Company.
Sharon works with freelance trainers to help them create a successful and profitable training businesses and shared with me some great thoughts on what makes an entrepreneur stand out from the crowd.
1. How would you define an entrepreneur?
Someone who is a go getter, who is not prepared to just settle for a regular job and who wants to control their own destiny. Whether they succeed or fail – at least it’s in their own hands.
2. Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made, and why?
I think you may be born with the qualities you need to become an entrepreneur but the decision to go it alone is often dicatated by personal circumstances so in that sense you are made.
3. Tell me about how you became an entrepreneur?
I’d wanted to go freelance and have my own business for years but was too scared to take the leap, I was ‘stuck’ in a very nice job with a great salary, company car etc so kept putting it off. The catalyst for me was a move from the South East to the Midlands with my husbands job. I obviously had to give my nice job up and it was at that point that I took a step back and thought ‘Do I really want to be working in the same type of company and going on the train to Birmingham every morning with the rest of them? My children were only 4 and 2 at the time to and this also influenced my decision as I wanted to have a more flexible working life.
4. What do you think makes an entrepreneur successful?
Self motivation is key, after all there is no-one else to do things for you, you have to get on and do it yourself. Resilience and determination is also important because things don’t always go well and there are times when you might feel like giving up
5. What’s been your biggest success as an entrepreneur?
Developing my current business The Trainers Training Company. I took a huge risk on it because I already had a very successful training business with many corporate clients. It was a gamble and again largely determined by a cange in my personal circumstances which demanded more time at home and not trotting round the country delivering training. I didn’t know anything about internet marketing either so it was a huge learning curve – still is mostly!
6.….And what’s been your toughest challenge?
Definitely the transition from working with corporate clients who don’t seem to mind parting with cash as it’s not theirs to working with private indivduals who – quite rightly – are more cautious.
7. If you could give one piece of advice to budding entrepreneurs what would that be?
It has probably been said many times before but never give up, keep a sense of humour and perspective (after all there are plenty of more terrible things happening in the world than your sales being a bit down this month) and surround yourself with positive people who put a smile on your face and don’t drag you down.
8. How can people find out more about you and your business?
You can check out my site at http://www.TheTrainersTrainingCompany.co.uk, go to my Facebook page The Trainers Training Company or follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SharonGaskin
By Gary Gorman, on June 28th, 2011
Thanks to everyone for the great comments and feedback you’ve sent me about this blog series. Please keep them coming.
Today I’m delighted to be interviewing MARK SHAW. Mark is, in my eyes, ‘Mr Twitter’ and was a real source of motivation behind me persevering with my social media marketing. Without Mark’s example of ‘sticking at it’ I wouldn’t have got invited to participate in the first World Business & Executive Coaching Summit this summer simply through connections I made on Twitter.
Mark is an award winning ex sales guy who advises and trains businesses, and individuals, on how to use Twitter to gain more business & to be effective with their time. Mark has over 14,000 Twitter followers, is the author of ‘Twitter Your Business’ & has been on radio, published in the media and given talks all throughout the UK in his capacity as a Twitter expert.
Mark shared some quite personal insights in our session, as you will read:
1. How would you define an entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur to me is someone who is prepared to take the necessary risks to achieve success. Entrepreneurs also have a tremendous ability to find solutions, create new ideas, never give up, bounce back from failure and adversity and see opportunity where others see problems.
2. Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made, and why?
I think many people are born with an entrepreneurial spirit. This usually starts to shine through whilst at school. However this is exactly the time when it is usually quashed. You are encouraged to ‘get a proper’ job and to give up on the ‘having your own business’ ideas. Most do give up, fortunately some stick with their dreams.
3. Tell me about how you became an entrepreneur?
I worked for several large medical companies, but never really fitted in. I always wanted to find new ways of doing things, new ideas, new initiatives etc… but was always told to just get on with the job. Corporates don’t really want people that think ‘out of the box’ they want people that want to climb their ladder, keep quiet, and often are ‘yes’ men or women to the boss. I was always looking to change the status quo. So after many years, I left corporate life and started on my own.
4. What do you think makes an entrepreneur successful?
Their ability to never give up, never say no, learning from failures to make things better, not afraid to put their neck on the line, and certainly not a procrastinator, actually taking action.
5. What’s been your biggest success as an entrepreneur?
Having my own Twitter consultancy, and getting a publishing deal for my book – Twitter Your Business. I have been using Twitter for over 3 years now. 3 years ago, people were telling me I was mad to carry on with this ‘twitter nonsense’. It will be a fad, never take off, will never be a business etc… I loved to prove them all wrong as I have done.
6.….And what’s been your toughest challenge?
I declared myself bankrupt in March 2008. All I had was £36 to my name, no assets, no car, 2 bags of clothes and had to move back in with my parents. Those were tough times. But I had an inner belief in myself and my abilities and never stopped believing that Twitter was my future even though many were telling me to ‘get a proper job’
7. If you could give one piece of advice to budding entrepreneurs what would that be?
Go for it….Too many people think about it, want it to be perfect, plan for years, but never actually just go for it. And also don’t be frightened of failure. Most entrepreneurs failed many times before they achieved their success. Failure is a great way to learn invaluable lessons.
8. How can people find out more about you and your business?
They can get more information at http://www.markshaw.biz
By Gary Gorman, on June 17th, 2011
Still to be convinced that social media can actually deliver tangible business results?
To be honest, at first, so was I.
That was before I filled sales workshops, launched joint ventures, gained new customers, got booked as a sales speaker…all without often meeting anyone face to face.
All this was great but what I wanted to gain was a global presence through social media….and this week I did!
I’ve been delighted to be asked to be a panellist at the first World Business and Executive Coach Summit taking place on the internet this summer.
This means I’ll be working alongside such coaching ‘rock stars’ as Brian Tracy, Michael E. Gerber, Marshall Goldsmith and Michael Port at this fabulous event.
If you’re an executive coach and you want to get more details and to sign up for free taster sessions please click the link http://t.co/7QwCzdx (just so you know…I like to be totally transparent… this is an affiliate link which means I will receive a commission payment should you decide to sign up for the paid event)
Anyway…the point of this blog posting is to say that this whole connection has been made via. social media plus one phone conversation…no meetings or face to face contact…and is something I could never have dreamt I’d be involved with before getting established on Twitter and Facebook.
Word of mouth has now been replaced with worLd of mouth.
Is it time you jumped on board?
If I can help you get to grips with social media give me a call on +44 (0)1476 516282
PS. If you’d rather click the non-affiliate link it is http://www.wbecs.com/sq/5288-world-business-and-executive-coach-summit
By Gary Gorman, on June 14th, 2011
Today I’m delighted to be interviewing JO DODDS in the latest of my series ‘Inside the Entrepreneur’s Mind’
Jo coaches and mentors home based business owners in how to grow their business online using social media marketing tools.
Jo answered my questions as follows:
1. How would you define an entrepreneur?
I see an entrepreneur as someone who has lots of ideas, can see opportunities and takes action to do something with those opportunities. I had run my own small business for quite a few years before I considered myself to be an entrepreneur because then I thought that an entrepreneur was a successful business person with a well established, successful, high income business.
Over the years I’ve realised that there are many entrepreneurs out there who aren’t always successful, be it financial or otherwise. Quite often this is because they have too many ideas, and whilst they are action takers they are also quick to change direction when they come up with the next ‘bright shiny object’ even if the last project isn’t yet complete and/or successful. When I realised that I realised that I am an entrepreneur 
2. Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made, and why?
I believe that entrepreneurs are born although not all of them realise their talents straight away. I spent twenty years in corporate HR and, although my father had his own business, I never imagined that I would have my own business. At that time I didn’t consider myself to be entrepreneurial at all but now, having worked on my own for six years, I can see many traits that were always there but just not obvious due to my circumstances.
3. Tell me about how you became an entrepreneur?
As I’ve already mentioned I was in a corporate role albeit following a period of time as an interim manager – so, working for myself within the more traditional corporate environment. That was the start of my entrepreneurial career but what tipped me into what I do now was wanting to have a baby but not seeing how that was going to work with commuting to London! I negotiated a reduced working week and started a business publishing a local community magazine in my home town, which I still publish now, and promptly got pregnant! During my maternity leave I grew the business and never went back. I ended up with eight magazines at one stage, which is when the penny began to drop about my entrepreneurial tendencies. I didn’t like selling advertising but I did like spotting opportunities and building my business. Three years ago I sold three magazines, closed the others down and decided to concentrate on online marketing, which is what I do now – helping home based business owners to build a strong online presence using a social media model.
4. What do you think makes an entrepreneur successful?
This year has been particularly successful for me and I recently wrote a blog post about what’s worked for me. I talked about learning, working with mentors and outsourcing but I think the most important trait that differentiates successful entrepreneurs from those who are not so successful is focus. I’ve mentioned already the ‘bright shiny objects’ syndrome – the downfall of many an entrepreneur, who continues to be exceedingly busy but ultimately isn’t very successful. There are clearly many other aspects to achieving success but I really do think that focus is one of the main differentiators.
5. What’s been your biggest success as an entrepreneur?
Launching my VIP Programme this year. I wasn’t ready to launch it before, not because I didn’t have the knowledge, skill or the content but because I hadn’t developed enough confidence. I used to look at other entrepreneurs who I knew were no more talented than me but were getting much better results, and I knew it was about their confidence. Interestingly the people around me didn’t see any difference between us as I had built a strong profile, so I now talk about having finally grown into the profile that I had created for myself!
6.….And what’s been your toughest challenge?
Developing the confidence and self esteem that I mentioned in the previous question. It has taken years of learning and much soul searching but I think I’ve finally cracked it! There have been many moments in the last year that I can reflect on as having been building blocks on the way to where I am in my business today. What I unhelpfully can’t explain (yet!) is why these things finally came together in the last year; I can’t pinpoint why everything finally made sense but rest assured that I will be blogging and speaking about it once I have!
7. If you could give one piece of advice to budding entrepreneurs what would that be?
Focus, and keep going until you get there! It’s a tough business world out here and many people give up too early. Be one of those who keeps going.
8. How can people found out more about you and your business?
You can go to my website, which is www.jododds.com.
There you can sign up for my free 10 day ecourse about how to use social media to promote your business.
And of course you can connect with me on social media!
http://twitter.com/jododds
http://facebook.com/jododdspage
http://linkedin.com/in/jododds
By Gary Gorman, on June 10th, 2011
Today I’m delighted to be featuring SHARON WRIGHT, otherwise known as ‘The Dragon Slayer’ following her memorable appearance on the BBC TV series ‘Dragon’s Den’. 
Sharon is the award winning inventor of Magnamole and is a wonderfully inspiring speaker, author, and business mentor. She’s also one of the most down to earth people you could wish to know.
Typically Sharon shared with me some gut wrenchingly honest insights into her life as an entrepreneur.
1. Sharon….How would you define an entrepreneur?
Someone who sees a business opportunity to create or improve a product or a service, with unbelievable self belief, tenacity and drive to succeed.
2. Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made, and why?
I personally think we are all put on this earth for a reason and don’t believe you can learn to become an entrepreneur. I think it’s part of our generic personality. Entrepreneurs are usually independent open minded people with a natural ability to problem solve and often see work as relaxation.
They are driven to make things happen and cannot settle until they have achieved their dream. It’s not about the money, its more than that, it’s that determination to succeed at whatever cost. I think many people can own businesses without being an entrepreneur, but no I don’t believe you can learn to be one.
3. Tell me about how you became an entrepreneur?
I’ve always known I was different, in whatever job I have done, I subconsciously wanted to be the best I possibly could. I would work silly hours to prove to myself I could achieve whatever goal I set. The satisfaction of doing this drove me on.
I’ve always been the sort of person that if I say I will do something, I always do it. There was never any gain at the end, it was just for my own personal satisfaction. This was down to my personality.
I realised I was an entrepreneur only after I won British Inventor of the Year in 2008, before this point I never stopped to think what and how I had created Magnamole from a ‘eureka moment’ and turned it into a commercial reality. I was so focused and driven I didn’t even think about what I was doing. I just knew in my heart I could make this happen.
Someone gave me that title in a newspaper article following the success of the show and at that point I considered the possibility.
4. What do you think makes an entrepreneur successful?
Knowing your strengths and weaknesses and surrounding yourself with a team of supporters. Stepping outside the box and removing the emotion when making business decisions that are right for your company. And, most importantly, never giving up.
5. What’s been your biggest success as an entrepreneur?
Winning the British Inventor of the Year for Innovation. Inventing a unique product without competition and writing my book “Mother of Invention”.
6.….And what’s been your toughest challenge?
My toughest challenge by far has been the loneliness of being in business. I have learnt many valuable lessons along the way but the loneliness is something you choose to put yourself through.
7. If you could give one piece of advice to budding entrepreneurs what would that be?
To follow my four simple rules, self belief, dedication, preparation and that extra sprinkle of self belief when you really doubt yourself, your ability and your future. Never give up and keep going until you have saturated every possible avenue.
8. How can people find out more about you and your business?
Visit www.sharonwright.com
By Gary Gorman, on June 7th, 2011
Today I’m delighted to be interviewing my good friend MIKE MORRISON of RAPIDBI.
Mike’s company provides business and organizational development tools, training and services. Mike’s interview was ‘short and sweet’ but provides another fascinating peek inside the mind of a modern day entrepreneur.
1. How would you define an entrepreneur?
A person who sees and exploits a commercial opportunity.
2. Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made, and why?
Both – for me it is an instinct – but then many are self made through necessity. We know that “necessity is the mother of innovation” and indeed when things are scarce people show high levels of innovation – I believe that innovation and entrepreneurship go hand in hand – having an idea and turning that idea into reality.
3. Tell me about how you became an entrepreneur?
I’m not sure I am – I saw an idea that was well researched, but people wanted to waste the knowledge, skills & attitude – I felt that there was a commercial opportunity – but more than that I did not want to see a good idea and resource go to waste. I wanted others to have access to the resource and knowledge that I had access to.
4. What do you think makes an entrepreneur successful?
Knowing when an idea is a good one – even if people around say not
Knowing when to “throw the towel in” – it may be a great idea – but the cost of getting it to market is not viable – also there is a wrong time & place – even if the idea is sound.
5. What’s been your biggest success as an entrepreneur?
Too early to say – I’m on a long term model – but progress is slow but positive.
6.….And what’s been your toughest challenge?
Working with people who claim to share the vision – but fail to follow through with effort or support. One person I worked with had some great resources and approached me to help him grow it. We agreed a business plan and then the individual failed to take any action – I lost out both time & money. – but I learnt a lot!
7. If you could give one piece of advice to budding entrepreneurs what would that be?
Focus – have one idea/ concept and work it. When you dilute your focus that is often the cause of failure.
8. How can people find out more about you and your business?
http://rapidbi.com/ or follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/rapidbi
By Gary Gorman, on May 27th, 2011
For todays ‘Inside the Entrepreneur’s Mind’ interview I’m delighted to welcome CARRIE WILKERSON, ‘The Barefoot Executive’.
Carrie is the ‘go to’ expert in helping others achieve extra income and career goals while working from home.Currently a mentor/coach/advisor to over 100,000 men and women, Carrie’s work-at-home methods have inspired thousands and has earned many awards and accolades.
I was delighted that Carrie was able to find time in her busy schedule to answer my questions as follows:
1. How would you define an entrepreneur?
An entrepreneur is someone willing to jump off a cliff without all the answers, realizing that the risk is entirely theirs. (definition from ‘Making Things Happen’ by Belzer). Too often we call all business owners ‘entrepreneurs’ and that’s not the case. The true entrepreneur is a risk taker, opportunity-spotter, problem solver that is wired to see the not-so-obvious and risk personal financial safety to fix it!
2. Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made, and why?
I think there are some natural wirings to an entrepreneur, which would indicate we are ‘born’ – but I also think there are several learned traits that MUST be learned and mastered before you can achieve your potential, which indicates being ‘made’ – so I guess the answer is …both.
3. Tell me about how you became an entrepreneur?
I adopted two children, sibling todders, that needed a large amount of time, therapy and attention and so, therefore left my teaching job. I started a side income in sales out of necessity and then became an entrepreneur as I sought ways to assist other sellers in their systems and styles. I have since started, sold and created several other businesses.
4. What do you think makes an entrepreneur successful?
Persistence. Positivity. And a sort of desperation to make things work
5. What’s been your biggest success as an entrepreneur?
I hope I’ve not yet achieved my biggest success, but earning enough to entice my husband to quit his corporate Vice President job in finance to work with me full time was incredible and amazing. Being sought out to publish a book with a major publisher was humbling. Sharing the stage with Zig Ziglar and working with him has been a thrill. And knowing that my clients are having success makes my every day a joy.
6.….And what’s been your toughest challenge?
Technology. Juggling my four kids. The stress of being the primary breadwinner and knowing the weight of the home, kids, lifestyle falls to my persistence…that is big. That is daily.
7. If you could give one piece of advice to budding entrepreneurs what would that be?
Have a plan for time, for income and for a mentor.
8. How can people find out more about you and your business?
BarefootExecutive.TV and BlogBarefoot.com are the best places to find me
By Gary Gorman, on May 17th, 2011
 For the seventh interview in my ‘Inside the Entrepreneur’s Mind’ interview I’m delighted to be interviewing GEOFF RAMM.
Geoff is an international marketing speaker and the founder of Observational Marketing. Having seen Geoff speaking myself I can clearly see why his unique approach has led to him being described as ‘the Billy Connolly and Peter Kay of marketing’.
1. How would you define an entrepreneur?
I come across many definitions of what an entrepreneur is with many of them focusing on people who build empires and sell them on, however, for me an entrepreneur is quite simply “Someone who has an idea and then makes it happen”.
2. Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made, and why?
I think we are all born as entrepreneurs but there are triggers in us all that either stay switched off or can be switched on due to circumstances during our lives.
3. Tell me about how you became an entrepreneur?
I had a great marketing job delivering great marketing results for some of the world’s largest brands but when redundancy of my entire department happened in 2002 the decision (the switch on) to start up my own business occurred.
4. What do you think makes an entrepreneur successful?
Creative, passionate, spots opportunities where others see problems, to help and be helped, never taking no for an answer and to remain positive which can be easier said than done in the early days.
5. What’s been your biggest success as an entrepreneur?
Without doubt winning the ‘Best Speaker’ award at the World Advertising Forum in Tehran, Iran, 2009. It was voted for by 2,000 entrepreneurs and business leaders and I won a beautiful Persian rug as my prize. One year later I returned for a 2 week tour of the country speaking in 4 cities and I won the same award in the city of Yazd.
From speaking locally to nationally and now internationally is a dream come true.
6.….And what’s been your toughest challenge?
Juggling my Geoff Ramm Marketing Speaker brand with my Mercury Marketing consultancy business. 9 years ago I started Mercury Marketing to help businesses in the North East of England, and just 3 years ago I launched my Geoff Ramm speaking brand. The businesses are just me so I had to make the conscious decision to reduce my one to one clients in favour of concentrating on my speaking career. It has been a challenge but I have succeeded in balancing both of the brands with 90% of my time and energy devoted to speaking.
7. If you could give one piece of advice to budding entrepreneurs what would that be?
Create an amazing brand and materials from the outset. Don’t scrimp and save to have ‘make do’ marketing materials. Put the power of your brand in the hands of your customers and clients you will never have the chance to impress a second time!
8. How can people find out more about you and your business?
YouTube Videos: Search Geoff Ramm for full videos and inspiring ideas http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=geoff+ramm&aq=0
Ramm In Iran II DVD: http://www.geofframm.com/marketing-books.asp
By Gary Gorman, on May 12th, 2011
This time I’m interviewing my good friend Jez Hunt from www.TheClientRelationshipGuy.com. Jez helps businesses grow through developing profitable customer relationships.
Jez again has a unique insight into what makes an entrepreneur tick.
1. How would you define an entrepreneur?
It’s funny, but I’ve never really thought about this before, but to me, an entrepreneur is someone who sees an opportunity to improve or innovate something, or sees a problem and a way to solve it. They believe enough to make it work and are prepared to take the risk – to do whatever it takes – to make it happen.
They are also single-minded enough to keep the end goal in sight, and not be discouraged by skepticism of others, but open-minded enough to consider advice and select that which they will find helpful.
2. Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made, and why?
In my opinion it’s more about attitude and your attitude to risk. It’s more about whether you are a born risk-taker or not.
You can learn how to spot opportunities – they are all around us all the time – and you can learn or hire the skills you need. You can learn self-motivation techniques, and you can even change your mindset, but it is far harder to change your attitude to risk. Not impossible, but far harder.
I mean, it could literally mean putting everything you have on the line. It’s what holds many people back from taking the plunge themselves. I guess that’s why some of the most successful entrepreneurs are the one’s who feel they no longer have anything to lose.
So I would say mostly ‘made’ out of opportunity and circumstance… as long as they are risk takers!
3. Tell me about how you became an entrepreneur?
Circumstance.
I’d done very well in my professional career, but I was growing restless – I guess I always thought there was something better out there for me. Even during my days in ‘corporate land’, I pushed myself and changed job roles every year or so – onwards and upwards as they say!
The opportunity came up for me to learn Direct Marketing from a very good teacher, and I got hooked about spending money and getting results rather than spending money and praying. Some of our clients saw the results we were getting and wanted to know how we did it.
I thought ‘what the heck’ and started my own marketing and design agency working for a few of them. 12 years on, I’ve never looked back, and I’m actively running two and a half businesses…
4. What do you think makes an entrepreneur successful?
Tenacity and self belief. It can be tough out there, and there will be times when you consider throwing the towel in, but if you believe in your idea, your vision, then you just have to keeping working at it despite the odds, and adjust your approach until it works for you.
When he was trying to invent the light bulb, Thomas Edison is quoted as saying “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Now that’s tenacity and conviction.
5. What’s been your biggest success as an entrepreneur?
Seeing my vision come to life with my first business, despite the challenges which happened along the way, and getting results for clients.
There are too many people out there who aren’t results focused. They should be. Results are what count when all things are considered.
6.….And what’s been your toughest challenge?
My toughest challenge has been me. Seriously.
There are times when you ‘wobble’, and the moment you let self-doubt creep in, it can have a devastating effect on what you are doing… and very quickly!
What I have found is that it is better to go with my gut instinct and have something not work than over analyse what I am doing and end up doing something which doesn’t sit comfortably, or even doing nothing at all!
People are scared of making mistakes, but what this does is to paralyse them into inaction because they have a fear of failing.
Yet failing is how we learn, our first steps as babies, our first time on a bike without stabilisers or Thomas Edison with his 10,000 lightbulbs.
Learn from the things you do which don’t work, and try different things until you find the one which does.
7. If you could give one piece of advice to budding entrepreneurs what would that be?
My biggest piece of advice would be to surround yourself with people who have the skills you don’t.
You can’t do everything. Accept it.
Know what you are good at, or if you don’t know, find out, and then look for people who have the skills you need, but also align with your values.
So that might be hiring staff or outsourcing certain activities, but equally it could be getting involved in a Mastermind Group – a group of business owners or other entrepreneurs with different backgrounds who meet regularly to help each other with their business problems, issues and successes.
Also, I also strongly recommend you find a good mentor. Look for people you resonate with who are successful at doing what they do – it’s not about being in the same industry as you, although sometimes that can help – and then go and ask them.
Some people will do it for free. Some people charge. For me it’s more about the person, but if you do have to pay for coaching or mentoring, investing in you will be the best money you ever invest in your business.
8. How can people find out more about you and your business?
You can find me at www.TheClientRelationshipGuy.com or on Twitter by following @JezHunt
By Gary Gorman, on May 6th, 2011
Today I’m delighted to be interviewing JENNY FLINTOFT of www.jennyflintoft.com for my series ‘Inside the Entrepreneur’s Mind’.
Jenny’s passion is helping people “get better”. Whether that’s to be a better leader, better at managing and motivating people, better at dealing with conflict, better at dealing with challenging situations and/or relationships, she educates, encourages and inspires others in getting to “better”!
Jenny gave me some fabulous insights into the mind of the entrepreneur.
1. How would you define an entrepreneur?
Truthfully, I think the term has a tendency to be overused. I think there are 3 key areas to a great entrepreneur. First, they have the ability to spot business opportunities where most other people don’t see them, often in a variety of places. Second, they have tremendous follow through – once that opportunity has been spotted, they have the determination and tenacity to follow through on what’s needed and take action to bring the idea to fruition. Thirdly, they have tremendous “bounce back ability”! When ideas don’t go to plan, or certain business projects aren’t as profitable as they first anticipated, I think a real entrepreneur doesn’t spend long licking wounds – they bounce back quickly and move onto the next thing as quickly as possible.
I also think there’s a second type of entrepreneur, probably a more common one. These people have a heart, a passion and a dream for sharing their unique abilities, products and services with as many people as possible. They don’t want to be constricted by working for other people, so they take the leap into running their own businesses and work hard at learning all the different opportunities of sharing their message on a variety of levels.
2. Do you think entrepreneurs are born or made, and why?
I think that the top entrepreneurs have been blessed with the unique entrepreneurial talents – creativity, tenacity, purpose and personal drive – which they then exploit to the max. I think for the rest of us we have degrees of these talents as a foundation, but wherever we are on the entrepreneurial scale, we all work hard to fulfilling our own potential in the fields we choose.
3. Tell me about how you became an entrepreneur?
I was working in a European role for a large global organisation and hand on heart, I had no intention of setting up my own business. I was quite happy in corporate life! However, I was becoming increasingly frustrated at the consultants we were buying in at high daily rates and watching how they operated. A high percentage of them – in my opinion – were simply not offering true value; weren’t helping to drive the business forward and were inflexible in their solutions. This must have been in my subconscious for some time, but I hadn’t really “heard” it. Then, around 6 months before I left, the company held a large European event and the consultants we’d hired failed to truly understand the business and the desired outcomes. On two separate occasions, two senior people approached me and said – “You could do this ten times better and with more pizzazz.” It got me thinking…….!
It was the year I was about to turn 30, so another milestone and I just thought – why the heck not? So I gave 3 months notice and left corporate life with no clients, no real plan and an empty diary! (It’s alright – there’s a happy ending….!)
4. What do you think makes an entrepreneur successful?
To be absolutely single minded and ruthless in their implementation of action. Even more now then when I first started there are a gazillion different distractions around, all of which can give the illusion of helping you move forward in your business, but are probably just distracting you from simply knuckling down and taking action. I’m talking about Smart phones, Twitter, Facebook, Linked in, forums, webinars….and I do use all of these, by the way. I’m not being “holier than thou!” But successful entrepreneurs are constantly asking themselves, “Is this the quickest way to profit?” So – whatever you’re working on, that should be in the forefront of your mind. If the answer is yes…..continue doing what you were doing. If the answer is no – find something more productive and ultimately more profitable to focus your time and energies on!
5. What’s been your biggest success as an entrepreneur?
Sticking to what I’m great at, rather than widening the net to include what I’m good at. Just because you’re good at something, doesn’t mean you should do it. In my very, very early years I did take on work that I was good at and indeed, I did a good job. But was I passionate about it? Did I enjoy doing it with all my heart and soul? No. So I’d rather work on stuff I’m great at, I’m passionate about, that I have consistently great results in and leave the rest for everyone else.
The second thing was, leaving my job with an empty diary and no clients. It gave me no cushion, no time to settle in – I had to get out there, make my name and bring the work in. It caused a sense of urgency which was one of the things that made the biggest difference in the early years. While I wouldn’t recommend such an extreme entry into entrepreneurship, I would recommend having a little “pain”, a little hunger, a little fire at your heels, as this will spur you on far more than when you feel your bank account is looking “healthy for a while”. In my experience, those people who have set up their own business but have a certain financial cushioning tend to be the ones who don’t get their businesses off the ground until most of the cushion has been frittered away.Also, the speed of the internet world changing is a constant challenge to keep up with. Once I think I’ve grasped something, something else has come along to replace it. So I have a constant challenge around whether to continue learning all the new technologies as and when they arise (at the risk of being in constant learning mode, rather than taking action), versus concentrating on a couple of key areas (at the risk of getting left behind). It’s a constant challenge and one I’m not sure I’m truly on top of, yet!
6.….And what’s been your toughest challenge?
My particular line of work tends to take me away from home for days at a time, often abroad. It’s a wonderful privilege to be able to travel and to be asked back time and again by clients, but the heart tug to be away from my family doesn’t get any easier. I try to limit the time away very carefully, but it’s still a challenge for me.
7. If you could give one piece of advice to budding entrepreneurs what would that be?
There are many, many successful people out there already, who have paved the way for you. While they all do many similar things, there will also be differences in approach from them, too. Follow (closely) one, or a MAXIMUM of two. Any more and you will be receiving conflicting advice in terms of how to move your business forward, which will keep you in a “stuck” place, rather than moving forward. You can always change your mentor if you outgrow them, or feel they’re not right for you in some way. But at the start, nail your colours to the mast and just choose one or two to model and learn from.
And don’t buy all the latest gizmos. You DON’T need them – you want them. Acknowledge the difference. Make a list of what you’d love and buy them as rewards for when money starts to come into your business, not before!
8. How can people find out more about you and your business?
Drop by and say hi at Twitter: JennyFlintoft, take a look round my website at www.jennyflintoft.com and connect with me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennyFlintoftBiz – I’d love to see you at all those places!
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