I’ve heard every excuse in the book from my students about why they’re unable to turn their ideas into reality. But the only way to succeed at becoming an entrepreneur is to have the courage to take that first, small step. Unfortunately, most of us tend to focus on...
Don’t Delude Yourself. These 3 Common Behaviors Hold Your Business Back.
There are some bad behaviors that are so commonplace and easy to fall into, we’ve come up with seemingly reasonable excuses for them. I’m a critical thinker, you tell yourself — when in reality, it’s that you’re resistant to change. I’m so important that I have to...
Confessions of an Entrepreneur During the Holidays
I have a somewhat unpopular confession to make: I hate the holidays. From what I can tell, most people look forward to enjoying their time off. They are eager to have a few days to themselves, to set their intentions for the next year, to take their mind off of the...
The Good and Bad of Being an Entrepreneur
I’ve been an entrepreneur for more than 30 years. It’s been a wild ride. I became an entrepreneur because the idea of working for someone else never sat well with me. I have always wanted to be in charge of my own destiny. I’m thankful that I am more excited about the...
The Number-One Mistake Product Developers Make
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending a new competition for inventors that was held in Kansas City. Teams participating in Make48 had just two days to bring one of their product ideas from conception to fruition. They were required to create a physical...
In Business, These Are Actually Your Best Friends
Some entrepreneurs act as if everyone is out to get them. I strongly oppose that mentality. It’s wise to assume that everyone you do business with is self-interested, because, well, that’s true of people in general. Instead of living in fear that someone is going to...
11 Truths About Being an Entrepreneur
I read an article in the Huffington Post recently that inspired me to tell it like it is. The article broke down some of the myths that continue to be perpetuated about entrepreneurism, like how to “get rich quick”. I know I’m just one more voice adding to the fray,...
The 4 Biggest Mistakes Inventors Make
Bringing a product to market isn’t for the faint of heart. Persistence, flexibility, and self-education are critical. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been mentoring inventors for more than 15 years now. At every turn, their ingenuity impresses me. I love being...