I recounted to a breakfast gathering of entrepreneurs yesterday how, when I was first learning to ride a motorcycle, I had taken a spill. I was turning and braking onto a gravel road (a big No No) and the bike slipped on the gravel. In a matter of moments I found myself and the bike on the ground, my left leg stuck under the bike, gasoline dripping out of the carbueretor onto my pants. I kill-switched the engine and wriggled myself out from under the bike just in time for a neighbor to pull up.

“Those things are dangerous,” he said.

“I’m alright,” I replied as a non-response to what he said as I righted the bike. I inspected the bent clutch lever and rubbed my sore leg. After a few minutes, I got her started again and continued on up the road, wiser to the gravel.

Like riding a motorcycle, running your own small business is risky too (although in this day and age, corporate employment is not guaranteed either.) You will learn some things the hard way, you will take a spill or three.

And there will be someone there, at just the wrong time, to look over and tell you how dangerous it is, and how foolish.

Don’t listen to them.

At the end of the story, I drew the parallel and encouraged the breakfast gathering to not just ignore the naysayers, but to assemble a group of advisors, mentors, peers, cheerleaders, and even a business coach (and I’m taking new clients – LOL). But seriously, find people that can mentor you – perhaps help you avoid a few falls, a few spills – and find people that will encourage you when you do fall to get right back on the horse and try again.

So many entrepreneurs go it alone – and they and their businesses suffer and often fail – why not bury some of that pride, some of that fierce independence and instead gather and connect with others. Share the stories, learn what they have learned, encourage and uplift.

Who’s in your gang? Who’s got your back?  Who’s there when you need a hand?

Posted in Everything Else
Comments Off Posted by Allen