Notes For The Aspiring Entrepreneur In 2024

 A couple of months ago, I participated in an all women panel discussion focused on the topic of entrepreneurship.  At this  event organised by Media Clubroom in collaboration with She Brilliance  land the SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, my fellow panelists and I shared our respective journeys, offering tips to kickstart a business, as well as advice on dealing with setbacks, fears and other pitfalls. 

 Here are some nuggets from my experience in running Bravery Communications for those seeking to start up this year.

1. There's never a perfect time.  The time to start is now!

Starting my own business was much like catapulting myself into the wilderness. After 25 comfortable years of being part of the corporate machinery, I found myself in a career crossroad when I was tipped out of my comfort zone as a corporate animal into the opportunity to establish my own company. When and how do I start? I needed many things sorted out, including money, contacts, clients, an office, and a work laptop. There was simply no perfect time to start. I had to do what was necessary. I decided to push past the over-thinking and self-limiting beliefs to start my business with whatever I had in the simplest way possible. No office space? Work from home.  No clients yet? Reach out and connect with people I knew. 

2. Overcome imposter syndrome.

Can I really do it? What will others think? Regardless of age or experience, there will always be a seed of self-doubt hiding in a corner of everyone's hearts and minds. What do you choose to believe about yourself? Remove this by reflecting on your superpowers and believing that your talents are meant to serve a purpose. I reflected on my corporate achievements and identified my superpower of shaping powerful brand narratives that touched millions of lives.  

3. Network, network, network.

Start getting to know people widely. It could be on LinkedIn, community groups, and associations. When I first left the corporate world, most of my contacts were from work and I barely had friends beyond that circle. I almost had to start from scratch.  I started to join communities and built a network of contacts who became very good friends so ready to support me in any way they could.

4. Be brave enough to ask for help, and be open to help.

Yes they are two different things.  Some people I know are so afraid to ask for help, for fear that they might be perceived negatively.  Some people are not even open to receiving help because they might feel that they have had years of experience and skills behind them, and they could  do without help.  

When I first started, I knew I could never do this alone.  I reached out to an ex-boss, ex-colleagues, friends and colleagues from the Pr and creative agencies that I had worked with throughout my career.  I was very transparent about the help I needed. Some offered advice, others offered to connect me with the right people and a couple more  offered me the opportunity to work with their team on a retainer basis.  One of which was my ex-boss who is still my client today.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Contrary to what I thought,  there really are so many people out there whether they are close contacts or mere strangers, who are willing to help if only you’d ask. 

5.  Essential qualities for a successful entrepreneur: Be curious, sincere, and brave  

I found it helpful to co-create a problem statement with a client and understand the gap they are facing before supporting them in resolving their challenges. You want your clients to buy into your sincerity and genuine desire to partner with them for greater growth. And it helps to never say die. There's always a way to make things work if you give it a chance. Most times, it's all about perspectives and angles.

If you are thinking of starting your own business,  do connect with me should you need someone to talk to.

The Value Of Values

 

Many years ago, I invited my son's ex-girlfriend to dinner. I remembered it was Chap Goh Mei or the final day of the 15 days Lunar New Year celebrations which traditionally was an important day for familial gatherings.  Yes I treated her like family. She arrived nearly two hours late without notice, but we waited since she was “family”. Imagine our shock when she said: "You should have started without me!" when she finally sauntered through the door, with no apology or thanks for being late. The incident would have passed and faded out of our memories if she had not been preoccupied with her phone for most of the dinner. There were no attempts at having a conversation, or any offer of reciprocity to help with the dishes. Did she enjoy dinner? Were we able to make her feel special? We did what we could, but in the 10 years of their courtship, similar episodes have convinced us that we could not connect with this young lady despite our best attempts. 

I have always said that I could only work with people aligned with my values.  In the same vein, I connect best with people who hold dear to the right values.   This lady clearly lacked values.  She did not reciprocate our goodwill, she had never shown kindness, and she lacked respect.

To put this point in context, let me share a past blogpost where I had alluded to how the right values are important to me.  https://thecrazyangmoandhisangrywife.blogspot.com/2016/10/extending-olive-branch-to-my-son.html?m=1

Before I get mistaken as the disgruntled potential mother-in-law, complaining about my son’s underwhelming choice in women, let me explain why this incident stuck in my mind as a reminder of how much emphasis I put on values.

Some months back, I wrote an article at my personal LinkedIn page about emotional desensitization as a result of our prolonged interactions online. The ghosting culture is widely practised, further normalising impolite behaviour. Plus, the lack of consideration for others is exactly how we lose the 'human touch'. Before the internet removed tonality from our daily interactions, people were raised to recognise and reciprocate goodwill. Communication required a lot more effort: meeting someone face-to-face, writing a note by hand, paying for expensive phone calls or actual telegrams (not that app). That was how bonds were strengthened. Be it through a gift or a call, it's clear when people cared and their actions were often appreciated.

As we begin the new year, it's apt to use this new season to reflect on the goodness around us. Cherish every connection, mirror every kind gesture, and make a concrete effort to demonstrate care.  Always be kind. 

Constant reminders of how one is valued and appreciated enhance our human experience because unlike technology, we have emotions.