In 2008, I was a struggling entrepreneur
My business (a job website) was making only N4000 a month which was barely enough for anything
I wanted to throw in the towel and give up
But I had already burned all my bridges
I already did a lot of “mouth running” to anyone who cared to listen that I was going to succeed big in business
So, I had no choice than to move on
Thank God for books like “Think & Grow Rich” and others that helped me to understand that it is normal for someone with dreams to go through several trials and obstacles.
It is called paying your dues
This is a moment when it feels like nothing is ever going to work
You may have tried business A, B, C, D etc that are working for others but they just don’t seem to work for you.
“Wetin happen now?”
Some people would even feel like going to a prophet for special cleansing.
Don’t be confused.
When things are not working, it usually means there are certain things you are not doing right
The faster you are able to learn, adapt and do those things right, the faster you will begin to succeed.
In my case, I learnt 3 things that helped me breakthrough.
Those 3 things are:
(1) Focus on ONE Business
(2) Focusing on the Right Things in The Business
(3) Master How to Sell
Let me explain:
For most struggling entrepreneurs, your problem lies in one or more of these 3
Let’s start with FOCUSING on One Business.
Are you trying to juggle 3 businesses at the same time with the tiny resources you have?
It is normal for entrepreneurs to get a lot of “good looking” ideas and we naturally want to work on everything at the same time.
Don’t do it
Please…don’t
You won’t go far that way
There is an old but wise saying that goes like this…
“He who chases 8 rabbits catches none”
That is what will happen to you if you keep chasing all those business ideas you have with the little resources at your disposal
Instead, here is what you should do…
Take the most promising of the business ideas you are working on…
Then FOCUS on that one and grow it to a stage where it is very productive and profitable
Then setup a system that allows it to run smoothly
You can even train someone to help you run most of it.
Only then should you begin to work on the next business idea
Still about FOCUS
There are certain TOP priority you ought to be focusing on in your business
Your focus should be on things like creating great products and generating sales & customers
Those should occupy 80% of your time
And that brings us to the skill of sales and marketing
You may also call it how to FIND customers
And how to PERSUADE them to try your products and services
You need to master this skill
OR FIND someone who is an expert on this and hire the person or partner with him
When I was just starting, I didn’t have any money to hire anyone
So, I sat down and I learnt how to market and sell
This SKILL is ONE of my Greatest Asset today
I can sell almost anything
One of the top reasons why a lot of small businesses fail is that they do not know how to find and get customers
Dear entrepreneur, learn how to market your products and service
Learn how to find and get customers for any business
This ONE thing will change your life.
It changed mine.
If you work on the 3 things I listed in this article accompanied with the right mindset, your business will progress.
It takes a lot of courage to do business.
That is why many people are scared to start.
You have already started.
Prove to yourself & others that you can do it.
May God help us all
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3 Comments
by Ruth
For you to become a successful entrepreneur, you must Focus on a skill
– focus on creating great products and generating sales
2. Master the art of selling. Know how to get into the mind of your buyers
3. Learn how to get buyers for your products
Valuable information
Thank you for helping my business
by Dayo
Great! Thank you
by Osazee Oni
Boss Toyin, thanks. To even chase two rabbits is not easy let alone more than.