I. Love. Entrepreneurs. If you’ve ever known a true entrepreneur, you know as well as I do that they’re a breed of their own. My profound admiration for them began about two years ago when my brother started a software development company here in Omaha. You see, Dusty is one of the most intelligent, passionate, driven people you’ll ever meet. Within a year, his business rapidly grew and he also co-founded a blog that highlights and throws events for entrepreneurs, startups and creatives living on the Silicon Prairie. What they’ve done for our region is nothing short of amazing, and over the last few years I’ve had the opportunity to meet some of the nation’s brightest and inspiring individuals around. I’ve listened to them share their plans to build businesses, charities, products… but more importantly, I’ve got to know them on a personal level as well. I have the utmost respect for their their aspirations, their determination, their dreams, their journey. They inspire me to be a better person – not only as a professional, but in every aspect of my life. Here are just some of the reasons why:
- They not only have ideas – but they have the courage, tenacity and bravery to turn those ideas reality
- They believe in themselves through all the doubt and uncertainty that they face
- They are relentlessly passionate about what they’re building and have a tremendous desire to succeed
- They aren’t afraid of working their asses off to make something grow, to make it even greater
- They remind us what it’s like to be a kid, when we were told that anything is possible
- They don’t accept the status quo
- They have a vision of how something can be different, better - and the passion to pursue that vision to make it happen
- They are artists because they create something from the ground up, essentially with their bare hands
- They’re problem-solvers, risk-takers
- They constantly challenge themselves and push themselves out of their comfort zone
- They have to make a lot of decisions throughout the process and each one could potentially be a mistake – but regardless, they persevere
- They withstand criticism, constant doubt and even failure – and just keep going
- They want to change the world, and believe that even just one person or idea can help make a difference
The list goes on and on and on. BUT… What if we all lived our lives like this? What if we took these same attributes and principles and applied them to each aspect of our lives, like our relationships, love lives, careers? Think about it. Entrepreneurs know there are going to be really, really hard times – times when they think it’s just not going to work and they’ll want to give up, yet that doesn’t stop them from trying. It doesn’t stop them from diving in headfirst and giving it all that they have. They know the odds are against them, that there’s no guarantees. They know that there’s only a small chance of success, but if they make it, they make it BIG and they’ll directly reap all the benefits and rewards of their hard work. Similarly, they’ll suffer the loss if it doesn’t work out, but they still go for it.
Life is all about taking chances. It’s about dedication, persperation. High risk equals high reward. I don’t know about you, but I want this is ALL aspects of my life. I’m not striving for mediocre. I want nothing less than INCREDIBLE. In my love life, friendships, my career, everything. Sure, it’s scary. But you can’t be afraid of failing, because if you haven’t tried, you haven’t lived.
I’ll leave you with this inspiring video about entrepreneurs that was produced by Grasshopper:
So… what do you think?
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Nothing to say. Amazing post that makes me think. Think of what we talked about. Makes me smile while also making me a bit sad. Someday.
You said it best…”I don’t know about you, but I want this is ALL aspects of my life. I’m not striving for mediocre. I want nothing less than INCREDIBLE. In my love life, friendships, my career, everything. Sure, it’s scary. But you can’t be afraid of failing, because if you haven’t tried, you haven’t lived.”
-Shane
You know what I think of you, as I’ve told you many times before. You embody exactly what it means to be an entrepreneur, and are undoubtedly one of the most motivated, creative and passionate people I’ve ever met. But what I think makes you so special is how you live and breathe to inspire others to become the best they can be – regardless of what their career or aspirations are. It’s what you’re made to do and that’s a pretty amazing thing. You’ve inspired me since the day I met you, so thank you for that. I can’t wait to see how far you’ll go.
Love the post Sara! Cool to know that your brother has taken life by the horns and it has worked out in the best way! Hope!
Haha thanks, Nick! Can’t wait to meet you as you seem pretty damn driven yourself!
So you will get a resounding “YES” from me here…The only thing I’ll add is that you don’t need to be an entrepreneur to have this kind of passion and drive – you can be just as passionate, just as committed and driven, doing whatever it is YOU love to do. Whatever YOU know you need to be doing – if my soon-to-be-wife wants to climb the ranks of the Insurance Agency she’s at until finally becoming the CFO – and she loves that path – then she should of course go and rock the shit out of it.
I’m amazed by what entrepreneurs are doing, I’m even more amazed simply by what PASSIONATE PEOPLE are doing.
I love this video too – Here’s the post I wrote a long while back that goes along these similar lines: http://www.lifewithoutpants.com/entrepreneurship/start-changing-the-world-today/
Matt – I couldn’t agree with you more. Every person isn’t cut out to start a company (or even wants to) and that’s 100% ok. It’s about taking some of the great principles that many entrepreneurs have and applying them to different areas of our lives. I LOVE your post, and think you hit it right on the money:
“Entrepreneurs are everywhere. Within each of us is a desire to do something great. We all want to leave a lasting impression, establish a legacy, and have a significant impact on others’ lives. But for whatever reason, we allow our doubt, confusion, and fear hold us back. Maybe today is the day you start doing something you’ve always wanted. It’s not all about launching a business.”
Well said, my friend.
The best blog from you yet Sara. It gives me just the motivation I need to get going for my business this year. LOVE IT!!!
Jeffrey Michael Matthews!!! Where have you been all my life?!
We need to get together ASAP so I can hear all the awesome things you’re doing! I was so proud of what you accomplished last year and miss you dearly. Hope all is well.
Sara, this may be my favorite blog post anyone has written to date this year! Can’t even tell you how much it means to someone like me who is an entrepreneur and often feels like people don’t quite understand the lifestyle or what it takes.
These days it’s frustrating to see just about everyone label themselves an entrepreneur when in reality the vast majority of them are not. But what’s even more frustrating is to see countless blog posts online written by “wantrapreneurs” that have this starry-eyed vision of what entrepreneurship is like. They make it sound so easy and glamorous. They encourage everyone to follow them, to up and quit their current job to be an entrepreneur. They never tell the REAL story, what it’s REALLY like (which one day I plan to do a little more on my blog). The reality is entrepreneurship is not always glamorous and it sure as hell isn’t easy! Not everyone is cut out for it and the truth is that far more startups fail than succeed.
So to know someone out there not only “gets it” but appreciates the mind of an entrepreneur is sooo refreshing! You made my little heart swell up today. Thank you for giving a some love to entrepreneurs everywhere.
Hey David – I’m extremely humbled by your comment, so thank you.
I think you’re absolutely right – none of us have ANY idea what it’s really like to do what you do, and so many blogs/people that talk about entrepreneurship or even “lifestyle design” sort of paint over the tough truths of how difficult it really is. I’ve been fortunate enough to hear so many stories – stories of significant financial loss, rejection, criticism – people who have literally put their blood, sweat and tears into what they believe in and it’s come crashing down and they’ve lost everything they have. And they STILL keep going. But what is also amazing about so many of you is that this unmatched passion and desire to succeed carries over into the other areas of your life as well. Even though I’m not an entrepreneur (yet!), that’s why I feel like I can relate to you and exactly why I have the utmost respect you all. All good things in this world started out with a single idea and someone who had the guts and determination to try and make it happen. Thanks for inspiring all of us, and thanks so much for being here!
Nice post Sara, I love the points you listed! What I love about entrepreneurs is their ability to try, try, and try again. So many people get discouraged easily but you really just need to keep your head up and moving forward.
Thanks, Anthony! Absolutely! It’s the perserverance that I think is so endearing. It’s great to meet you!
This is a great post. I think it’s very important to live your life as an “entrepreneur.” If you really think about it, if we all treat our lives with the same tenacity and strength as entrepreneurs do their companies/jobs, we’d all be happy and successful! Great inspirational post!
You bet, Lauren, and you’re completely right! (Can I just tell you that your blog is AWESOME!!!!! So happy to connect with you girl!!)
I think what’s important is, like you said, to just keep trying – to just keep going. Try anything and everything and you’ll eventually get where you want to be.
“Life is all about taking chances… High risk equals high reward”
I really believe that statement. And I feel sometimes it’s really frustration to pick myself up again and try something new or different but I always do and it always pays off.
Thanks for a great post, Sara! And PS – I LOVE that video. The “Be Remarkable” is a good one too
Thanks, Elizabeth! Can I just say that I love, love, love this quote on your blog:
“Living with integrity means: Not settling for less than what you know you deserve and making choices based on what you believe.”
Amen, sister. And it so applies to what you’re talking about in your comment. We have to be adaptable and willing to keep going, even when obstacles get in our way or we fall off the tracks. Plus, it’s the journey that makes life so exciting and shapes us into who we are.
And thank you so, so much for telling me about that video! It gave me chills!
Spot on with that list, Sara, spot on.
Your passion and excitement for entrepreneurs is contagious, as I had the opportunity to experience hanging out with you at SXSW. And that kind of passion and excitement is exactly what we need in this space, in this world, in life in general.
The truth about entrepreneurship is that it’s all in WHO you are, not WHAT you’ve done. It’s a lifestyle, it’s a mindset, it’s a state of being. As Matt said in the quote you mentioned above, “Maybe today is the day you start doing something you’ve always wanted. It’s not all about launching a business.”
Great thoughts, Sara, and I look forward to experiencing your passion and excitement for all this in the near future! If not at Big Omaha, then sometime soon after that
I won’t repeat what everyone else has said here about the post being quality (well, it is) but the one thing I always have against ‘Why Can’t we all…’ statements is because…we can’t.
Not everyone is cut out for living their lives the way the way we think they should be lived. Just because someone doesn’t want to go balls out and live a comfortable life doesn’t mean it’s any worse of a life than yours, or mine for that matter.
My wife is a constant thinker and over-analyzer, it’s been the way she’s been since she was young. She’s done some fun stuff, but she’ll never go balls out in life, she’ll life her safe life and love every minute of it. She doesn’t want it all, but she just wants it good so she can be happy.
And as an entrepreneur I can’t see how that can be, but the days when I sit here staring at my screen ready to pull my hair out…I do envy that life…just for a little bit.
I have pretty much the opposite personality type, and so I can completely admire and envy entrepreneurs as well. I go through phases of it — reading a magazine profile of how someone started their own company, had this one idea, and kept after it. Of course they do gloss over the failures along the way and make it seem a lot easier than it is in these types of articles.
This post was very well put, glad I found it
Hey I love your list..and video. I needed a bit o’ inspiration today. Thanks!. PS – Can you make your font BIGGER so it’s easier to read next time?
ok, that was very wierd…now the font is normal sized… scratch the last part of my previous comment.
There are people that don’t think and live their life like this? This mentality is success 101. If you aren’t passionate and willing to take risks, you’re in trouble. Entrepreneurs succeed because they think outside the box and understand business. We all should be working and living like entrepreneurs.
Loved this post – entrepreneurs (even those that are less successful at first) are truly the masters at fusing their work, their life and their passion into one energy and giving back to the world. I’m very happy to be part of a group of people who goes forward with ideas and goals, paying little heed to the naysayers who don’t understand the lifestyle! (Though I’ll admit that sometimes this is challenging!)
Ingrained Entrepreneurism is not something you can teach in school or convince someone to try. It’s really a mindset.
Sara, incredible job putting my thoughts onto digital paper. Funny how i was having this exact convo with some family today. Awesome, i’ve forwarded this on already!
http://bit.ly/cXzGCj
This is one of my favorite posts I’ve read in awhile, Sara. You made a fantastic list and brought together a lot of seemingly disparate thoughts. One of my favorite lines:
“What if we took these same attributes and principles and applied them to each aspect of our lives, like our relationships, love lives, careers? Think about it.”
These are words I want to carry around with me.
Well done, Sara!
Hey Sara,
I actually read this the day you published it but wanted to go through it a few more times before I actually commented on it. One of the phrases I’ve heard in my life over and over is the “The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.” Unfortunately I didn’t hear that as a kid or my entrepreneurial journey would have started sooner. But it’s never too late so that’s a good thing. Sounds like your brother has done some pretty amazing things and I’ll have to check out his blog.
My favorite thing about what you’ve written here is taking the qualities of entrepreneurs and applying them to every other area of our lives. The world would be full of endless possibilities if we did that. Imagine if we took everything in your list of qualities that you mentioned an applied them to everything in our lives. It just shows how truly extraordinary everybody has the capability of becoming.
Sara
Absolutely BRILLIANT article. Truly fine reading. Excellent job, seriously.
Entrepreneurs are indeed a strange batch of folks. We have the up’s and down’s of being our own bosses. Some handle the ‘downs’ better than others, but, as far as I’m concerned we would not be the people we are without every experience we go through – bad, or bad.
You’ve just won another subscriber. Really enjoyed this!
Regards,
Chris
I’m SO in agreement with going back to the day when you were a kid and you thought anything was possible….I still like to just dream from time to time. It’s invigorating.
You, Sara Davidson, are my new hero.
Wait.
Scratch that.
You’ve totally been my hero for a while now, but this post…..this post…..this POST.
I think one of the most salient points here is having the courage to believe in yourself despite obstacles, challenges and–sometimes–having everything working against you. It’s that raw tenacity that forms the backbone of an entrepreneur, that translates into an unmatched dedication & commitment that makes an entrepreneur an ENTREPRENEUR. Beyond business, or money, or even pushing the human race forward, entrepreneurialism can be a wildly private thing, where it’s just you & your ideas–the personal challenge associated with making those ideas come to life is where the rubber meets the road, and what makes it all worth it.
Just tweeted this gem out. Thank you for writing it!!!
XO
Hi Sara – This super inspired me. THANK YOU!