Is it time to start your own business?
I read with interest a thought-provoking piece about Elon Musk, written by someone who knows him well. He asserts that neither money nor intelligence are necessary to be successful. At first glance, this seems obvious. After all, there are thousands and thousands of people successful in the arts, in the community, in politics, in their families, and generally in their lives without being in Mensa or being a multi-millionaire. But for success in business, this might be a heretical proposition.
The common consensus is that being highly intelligent and going to, or dropping out from, a top school is necessary to be successful in business. Most entrepreneurs trumpet their academic achievements and showcase past accomplishments that show their intelligence. I’m certainly guilty of that. I am proud of my schooling, my credentials, and my accomplishments. But would I be the same person regardless? Would I have the same drive and the same passions? Mr. Cantrell, it seems, would argue yes.
Love what you do and do what you love – Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury may not have been a scion of business, but there’s no doubt he was a success. As Mr. Cantrell explains, a necessary foundation for success is doing something you are passionate about and you are good at. Ray Bradbury certainly epitomized these traits. More than anyone else, he popularized modern science fiction.
Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally – Sir David Frost
If you already have a passion for something, why not turn it into a business? After all, most people didn’t think Elon Musk would succeed with SpaceX. Yet, he was passionate about it, he stuck with it, and he proved everyone wrong. Don’t think that you can’t approach something with the same level of determination he did. Everyone who thinks about running their own business has the three essential skills Mr. Cantrell speaks of: 1) intelligence, 2) skill, and 3) value creation.
Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people. – Steve Jobs
Here at OfficeFlex and Saraiya Pllc we are passionate about what we do. We help business founders follow their dreams and make their business a success. With the right team behind you, inherent skills and dedication can push you along the path of success.
If you have been considering starting a business but have been putting it off, I leave you with a quote from Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com: “The common question that gets asked in business is, ‘why?’ That’s a good question, but an equally valid question is, ‘why not?'”
Contact Us to learn more about turning your passion into your business.