It takes a very special kind of person to be a successful entrepreneur. Throughout my career, I have seen some business ventures soar and others fail. Usually the ones that are successful all have the same thing in common: A passionate, dedicated, driven entrepreneur at the helm. Although I believe that being successful is something that is within you, there are traits and practices to help you reach success.
Passion
It all starts with a dream. Before you can become successful at anything you have to have passion. For me, the choice for my career was a no-brainer. I always knew that the beauty industry was where I belonged. I went from being an esthetician to owning and operating a global skin care brand. For me, the driving force behind it all was being able to help other estheticians have successful careers. I wanted to be able to give them the tools that they need to see the success that I was able to find for myself. I love seeing my clients become successful and coming to work each day is a treat. I believe that if you can find something you are passionate, and love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.
Planning
The first step on the road to success is creating a solid business plan. Your plan is your map; it defines your destination and illustrates how you will get there. Begin by envisioning the type of career you want to create for yourself. Start with your dream and work backwards. Your plan should spell out, step by step and in explicit detail, how you will organize, manage and promote yourself and your business. People don’t just fall into success, they create it for themselves.
Take what you do seriously
Your job is a reflection of yourself and you should take pride in it. When I was first starting out in skin care, I was a newlywed and a brand-new mother. I wanted to provide my daughter with all the things I had dreamed she would have – the best schools, a lovely home, beautiful clothes and a college degree. I realized that it would take two incomes in order for my husband and me to provide these for her. I worked up to 15-hour days—a full day at the salon and from 9 to 11 each night at my house. No matter how exhausted I felt, I made it a point always to look refreshed. I would always have on a perfect face of makeup to help hide the dark circles under the eyes and would use blush to help keep my cheeks looking flushed and lively. Someone that shows up to work in sweat pants is obviously not taking their job very seriously. Every day, no matter how tired or what is going on at home, you have to dress up and show up.
Tenacity
I think you would be hard to find a successful business person who had said it was easy getting to where they are. Along the road, there will be people you don’t believe in your dream but if you really believe in yourself, you have to stay the course no matter who or what might try to get in your way. Be tenacious and never let “no” stop you.
It is also important to surround yourself with like-minded people. I have been very lucky to work with my husband David, who has always believed in me no matter how crazy my ideas may have seemed. I know that even when no once else is on board, David will tell me, “That is a great idea!” David has always been a great support system for me, but it has always been important throughout my career to believe in myself. When you are on the road to success, there is no room for second guessing. Believe in yourself and surround yourself with others who have the same goals.
Build a great team
It is crucial to your success that you combine the right personalities and that you create a cohesive team. Surround yourself with smart and driven people who want success just as much as you do. It will make it easier for you to do your job and also keep you motivated for continued success.
Get a mentor
It is important to have someone outside of your team, someone without an investment in your business, to bounce ideas off of and get neutral advice from. It is important to get an outsiders opinion sometimes, especially if you come to a point in your career where you are unsure about something. When you want to discuss the future of your business, choose someone who you trust and respect and who has a proven track record for success..
Go above and beyond
This is something every entrepreneur needs to understand. If you aren’t seeing success, then you aren’t providing your customers with what they want. Never forget: Make clients a top priority, and you will create fans for life.
Invest in yourself
Continuing education is so important, especially in today’s competitive workforce. I have found that the most successful people are hungry for information. They read, they watch the news, they sign up for classes at local colleges, they want to be the best they can be. I propose that you give yourself the gift of knowledge. As you schedule your calendar, make it a point to allocate time for refreshing and expanding your skills. We all are living in the information age, and education is yours for the taking. It will not only give you an edge over the competition but enrich you and make you a well-rounded and fulfilled individual.
The one thing I am sure of is that if you are able to rely on yourself, you have the power to achieve almost anything. Choose today to live the best life possible and your success professionally and personally will be ensured.
