This week (Nov. 21st 2024), I received a message from a friend’s 24-year-old cousin, asking if we could have a chat about entrepreneurship. What I shared with him are certainly things I wish I’d known or realised earlier in my own journey.
Over the course of nearly an hour, he told me about studying entrepreneurship and some of his first experiences in the field. Many of the challenges he mentioned were very familiar.
I really appreciated the fact that he reached out—something I made sure to tell him. That kind of initiative goes a long way in life, and I’m truly convinced of its value.
We spoke about the decisions he’s facing right now, what he wants to achieve, books and resources to support his development, and some lessons I’ve learned along the way. I saw a lot of myself in him, which made the conversation even more enjoyable. He sees himself as multi-talented and is searching for the right direction—a feeling I believe many entrepreneurs, and people in general, can relate to.
- My first piece of advice was about a book (he asked for one). A classic that’s taught me a lot about myself and how to work with others: How to Win Friends & Influence People. There are countless books that can inspire and teach, but this one stands out for me.
- The second piece of advice was to consider specialising in a particular skill. Mastering a skill, especially within a specific industry, puts you in a great position to leverage that expertise and build a business around it.
- Lastly, I reminded him to enjoy the journey. Don’t just focus on the end goal or base your satisfaction solely on reaching it. Whether it’s financial goals, number of clients, or products sold—there’s always a desire for more. If you don’t enjoy the process, you’re selling yourself short.
These conversations keep me sharp, and I hope they can inspire you as well.
