Budding Entrepreneurs: Don't make this mistake like I did!

grant • July 28, 2024

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I vividly remember it—22 or 23 years ago. It feels like just yesterday when I decided to take the leap and start my own business. At the time, I had a full-time job, and it was a great one. I had some really cool coworkers, a great company car (loved that car), and a decent salary. Everything seemed perfect on the surface. I was in my late twenties, and despite these perks, I had this burning desire to set up my own business, a dream I'd harboured for years. Yet, every attempt felt like a false start. Something always held me back.
Some people call it "golden handcuffs," others "corporate apathy." For me, it was this invisible barrier, a paralysing fear of the unknown. I found it incredibly difficult to pull the trigger. But eventually, I did. At the age of nearly 29, I finally took the plunge. I remortgaged my house, handed in the keys to my beloved company car, rented an office, and bought the necessary equipment. It felt like a monumental step, but it was just the first of many.
One of the biggest obstacles was the belief that successful entrepreneurs possessed some elusive, special skills—traits I thought I lacked. The people I admired, including my bosses, seemed to have a certain aura, an untouchable genius. However, I soon realised that success in business doesn't require superpowers. You don't need to be exceptionally intelligent or extraordinarily creative. What you do need is focus, dedication, speed, discipline, and an unyielding commitment to never give up.
These qualities, which I had to develop rapidly, were the true keys to success. The most crucial lesson I learned early on was that I was more than capable of running a business. I could get clients, complete tasks, and grow my enterprise. This newfound confidence fuelled my journey. And so, over the years, I've started numerous businesses across various sectors, experiencing both success and failure, collaborating with partners, and going solo.
Throughout this journey, I've helped over 300 people start their own businesses. A recurring theme I've observed is the paralysing effect of corporate apathy. Many aspiring entrepreneurs, much like I was, are stuck in well-paying jobs that leave them dissatisfied. They dream of being their own boss but are held back by the comfort and security of their current roles.
Corporate apathy causes endless planning and delays. People take months, sometimes years, to pull the trigger, often realising too late that they should have acted sooner. If you have that entrepreneurial itch, the first step is to take action. While planning is essential, it's crucial not to get trapped in perpetual preparation. The corporate world teaches us to delay, another meeting next week, another few weeks to think things over. As entrepreneurs, we must break free from this mindset.
When you join the Blam Partnership program, for instance, the information needed to make a decision is readily available. Yet, many spend weeks, months, or even years contemplating. The fear of the unknown is a significant psychological hurdle, but overcoming it is vital. Once you do, you can continuously take swift, decisive actions. This is the hallmark of successful entrepreneurs: 
Money loves speed.
Remember this, money really does love speed and perfection I the enemy of speed. In the entrepreneurial world, a week is often too long to make a decision. The information you need to move forward is usually at your fingertips. Assimilate it, decide, and act. Success favours those who take swift, informed actions.
So, if you're feeling the pull towards entrepreneurship, don't let corporate apathy hold you back. Take control, embrace speed, and make your dreams transform into reality. Then, keep moving forward in your decisions from then on.
To your success,
Grant

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