Do babies and start-up entrepreneurship mix?
This is a question posed in yesterdays TheAge by Tony Featherstone for The Venture. He writes…
…In some ways, young children help develop three of the defining characteristics of great entrepreneurs: resilience, creativity and high motivation.
Resilience is the ability to keep going, overcome setbacks and stay in the game. Creativity is the ability to spot opportunities and find new paths when setbacks emerge. Resilience and creativity go hand in hand. Motivation is what makes it happen.
Young children can help build entrepreneurial resilience because they are the ultimate “skin in the game”.
That is, entrepreneurs who have babies to feed and nappies to buy MUST succeed. There is no greater loss than not being able to provide for your family. That truly is resilience.
I reckon creativity is enhanced because young children have a habit of making you see things differently. Although networking is harder, new networks are formed around mother’s groups, kindergartens, schools and so on. Meeting new people helps creativity.
Young children also have a habit of motivating an entrepreneur like nothing else. How many entrepreneurs reading this blog work late at night or early in the morning, and make other sacrifices?
Rather, my point is that combining babies and young ventures is a better mix than many realise.
To read the full post, click here…
Oh, I hear you! Thank goodness a bloke with cloat has recognised that these are discussions worth having… thank you Tony.
My story in brief, for my first 30 years of life, I pretty much followed societal norms. However, within a two-week period (May 97), I sold my apartment, resigned from a high-salary regular- paying job, and had a pregnancy test confirmed.
So much to my shock, at the ripe old age of 36, I found myself single, unemployed, homeless and pregnant.
And then the fun started!
Once my pregnancy became public, I was approached by an ex consulting colleague about setting up a Melbourne office of her Sydney-based business. After much consideration, I concluded that it was to good an opportunity to miss, something I could do around Baby and a way of building an asset for the future… perfect!
As good fortune would have it, and as Daughter has grown, so has the business. I took over the entire operation in 2000 and it is now a lot bigger than me. It grows and thrives both nationally and internationally, to the point where (for 2008-09 financial year) the business has turned over close to $1.3 million dollars, all in school hours.
If I had a choice, would I have had it any other way? Not on your life.
I’d be interested in your views once you’ve read the post?
Related posts:
- To Buy a Business, or to Start from Scratch?…
- Entrepreneurs – Theory vs Practice…
- Crucial care for children
- Seven Businesses You Can Start Tomorrow
- Design YOUR Business workshop…mentoring session #1
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