…but also, infinitely rewarding

Trading experiences with fellow entrepreneurs is one of my favourite things to do!

Here are five lessons that have greatly impacted my business over the last two years:

1. Introspection is a vital part of your journey

Being able to assess yourself continually and honestly, is an integral part of your journey as a business owner. The result of such introspection is confidence in who you are, and what you bring to the table.

Your level of self-knowledge determines how well these elements are portrayed through your business. And it allows you to activate your plans accordingly. Your service, expertise, values, business culture, story and - ultimately – your vision is what will attract your ideal client, with the least amount of effort.

Knowing yourself well will ensure you can communicate clearly and directly with your target audience.

Discover your essence

So, discovering your essence and combining it with a viable product or service that serves your client’s needs, is the ultimate business booster.

Is your business an authentic reflection of you and your vision?

Are you confident sharing your product or service with others?

Are you engaging your passions as a business owner?

Does your business easily attract your ideal client?

Is your business showing growth, financially and otherwise?

Knowing the answers to these questions is important.

Answering “yes” to them is crucial to staying motivated and focused on your business.

2. Relationship-building trumps hard selling

Most business owners find it hard to promote their product, service or business venture. As a result, their income is adversely affected.

Do you think it’s possible to do away with hard sales in your business and still build a successful and sustainable enterprise?

It absolutely is!

Taking a forceful stance on sales will alienate more potential clients than you’ll gain. No one enjoys being bombarded with sales talk. Focus instead on educating your clients through valuable information shared, and demonstrating how your offering solves their problems.

Take your client on a journey

Take your time nurturing prospective clients through their sales journey with you.

Listen, be attentive to their needs, and offer genuinely helpful solutions.

After all, converting a prospect into a raving fan is worth much more than a once-off sale that offers no long-term benefit to either party.

Did you know that building strong and trusted relations with peers, collaborators and clients allows you more and better opportunities to market your business?

Receiving word-of-mouth referrals from trusted connections will accelerate your business growth substantially.

This type of social proof is gold and should not be underestimated in your plan for success.

3. Every entrepreneur deserves and needs a support system

Solopreneurs, particularly, feel that they need to take on this journey alone. This is one of the biggest and most damaging misconceptions among business owners.

Unfortunately, the truth is often realized only after a point of mental and physical burnout is reached.

Your business – particularly in its early stages – is highly demanding of your time, energy and presence.

You wear many hats, inundated by the sheer volume of tasks to be carried out.

This, coupled with the challenge of mastering a myriad of new skills, can quickly lead to overwhelm.

One simple solution to this situation is to ensure you have a strong support system. Whether this comes in the form of practical assistance, coaching, or mentorship, you will be better off for it.

Your journey does not have to be a lonely one

Entrepreneurship without support is an extremely taxing and lonely journey. It can be demoralizing and adversely affect your health. Simply having someone to reach out to during trying times will help keep you motivated, balanced and moving forward.

It is our mission to change the world through what we do. Thus, I encourage you to give your dreams the best possibility of success by treating them like the valuable resources they are.

Are you struggling to find balance in your life as a business owner?

Do you find the demands of entrepreneurship overwhelming?

Do you have peers who understand your challenges and can offer guidance and support?

I urge you to reach out for support as early as possible in your journey. Mutually beneficial support can be a lifesaver. And being a positive influence on someone else’s success is immensely satisfying.

If you’re open to exchanging entrepreneurial support, I’d be happy to connect.

4. Self-development is an ongoing process

As entrepreneurs, we are constantly learning and building our skill sets. Building a successful business demands us to constantly upskill ourselves, our processes and our systems. Our plans should be firm enough to create momentum while remaining flexible enough to pivot at the drop of a hat!

Be curious, please!

Being curious, and open to learning keeps you competitive, informed, and able to best meet your market’s demands. And it’s so much fun, too!

On-going education - whether formalized or not – is a sure way of preparing yourself to better manage any challenge in your business. It further develops existing skills, while constantly adding to your arsenal as a business owner.

5. Creativity done your way

In my capacity as a creative and multi-passionate, I often hear entrepreneurs claim they’re not creative. I beg to differ!

Creativity is by no means one isolated or neatly defined characteristic. It comes in many forms. And I believe that everyone is creative. The sooner you recognize and learn to apply your style of creativity, the more possibility you invite into your space.

Why is creativity in business so important?

Engaging creativity in your business adds to the unique appeal of your service offering. Often, it is the finer nuances of who and what you are that others relate to.

“Embrace your brand of crazy.”

– Megan Deers

So, proudly showcase your thinking and working methods. You may be surprised at how many people are drawn to your business because of it!

My divergent thinking processes, my ability to switch between technical and creative topics, and how I reframe words and concepts are all examples of how my creativity manifests. What’s your secret creativity sauce?

A few final words of advice that will hopefully inspire:

• Never forget your purpose, the reason for creating your business.

• Permit yourself to fully commit to your dreams.

• Ensure you’re feeding your passions every day.

• Aim to find your flow – that inspirational rhythm that allows things to happen as if by magic!

• Never forget that you are the person building this business. How it is built depends on you.

So, don’t be afraid to completely recreate it, if necessary, to better align with your dreams.

• Ultimately, it’s your call, your rules, and your vision.

Founder of Paradox Rocks!, Megan Deers is a Technical & Creative Copywriter, Content Creator and Communications Mentor. Her curiosity, love of learning, and uncanny knack for switching between Tech and Creative projects are what her business celebrates.

Contact Megan at: +27 76 5822 840 meg@paradox.com www.linkedin.com/in/megan-deers