5 Important Qualities of a Successful Entrepreneur

Whether you’re sitting in a coffee shop with laptop open, shopping for shoes or attending a friend’s birthday party, if you’re an entrepreneur, you are always “working.” For an entrepreneur, “work” is anything from answering emails to meeting new people and converting them to clients. If you’re always “on” then you need to be always aware of your attitude, appearance, and demeanor. Let’s go over some qualities that successful entrepreneurs need to embody so that you can minimize challenges and maximize success:

1. Always have a positive attitude

As an entrepreneur, you need to wake up ready to tackle the day with positivity. You should always be excited about your business and the opportunity to help others. Share your excitement with everyone you meet. That also means not letting negative situations bother you. Look on the bright side of things and focus instead on what you can learn from every experience. It helps to talk in positives. For example: “when,” you land a client or “when” you sell your first unit, not “if.”

It helps to have a supportive tribe so be sure to surround yourself with positive people. Create a safe place with them where you can share both wins and challenges. Just be careful not to bring the group down with too many trials and tribulations in the circle of positivity. And remember that confiding in a negative person can often bring you down further.

Always have a smile on your face and be approachable.

2. Always look professional

People want to do business with small businesses, but what does your small business look like? You are your business! Make sure your appearance is always professional and nice, because first impressions are lasting impressions — BE SURE IT’S A GOOD ONE!

Always look professional whether you’re going to the grocery store or a business meeting. Throw in some branded apparel when appropriate, maybe your business t-shirt under a blazer?  Be the person everyone wants to do business with because you look organized and professional.

3. Always be prepared to do business

In order to provide excellent service to your customers, it helps to have ample inventory to provide. With 2-day shipping available on millions of items online, waiting days or weeks to get their order will discourage some customers. Try to stock up on the products you are selling to be able to give instant gratification to both new and existing customers.

Keep your life organized by having business cards, catalogs, samples, and anything else that you can easily carry with you at all times. The first step is getting the product in your customers hands. Make sure you have your name, website, or phone number stamped on applicable paperwork because any new person you run into could be your next customer, next referral, or next team member. Be sure to value every contact, even when somebody says “no”. Often “no” actually means not right now. The leads of today will likely be the buyer or recruit of tomorrow. Remember, it takes at least seven touches with customers before they make a purchase.

4. Always learn and grow

Stay a student. Go to trainings, listen to applicable podcasts and read books – as many as you can! Anything you can do to continue learning – do it! That also means listening more than you talk. Don’t just hear what your clients are telling you, listen to their needs and wants and try to deliver them. If you’re looking for book recommendations, some of my favorites are “Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers” by Timothy Ferriss, “Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life Without Losing Its Soul” by Howard Schultz and my book, “The Secret is YOU”.

5. Always know where you are going and why

Know what you want from your business every month. Set goals. Know how much money you want to earn each month and what milestones you want to reach. Set your goals for six months from now, a year from now, five years from now, and beyond. Put good processes in place now to be successful later. Track your goals and compare your progress to the month before, the year before. Do NOT get discouraged – keep going until you reach your goals.

 

If you make an effort to adopt these qualities every day, you’ll be ready for business any day, anytime. Being always on has its benefits, one being a business that never stops.