(At StartupNation's request, the following words of advice were provided by Brett Adams, a winner in the 2008 StartupNation Dorm-Based 20.)
As I continue to pursue my entrepreneurial ventures, it often pays dividends to reflect back on lessons learned thus far. I tend to pull direction and inspiration from a combination of former coursework, small business anecdotes, and my real world startup experience.
Persistence pays off
That being said, a few notions stick out ahead of the pack; words of advice that ring true to me on a daily basis. First off, never give up on yourself or your ideas. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world were told “no” too many times to count before hitting it big. Now, that’s not to say you should take the extremist route and drive your idea (and yourself for that matter) into the ground. Sometimes, even the greatest idea can prove fruitless. However, the moral here is that persistence pays off.
Never let your age slow you down
Many entrepreneurs, especially young ones, often allow their age or experience to hold them back. While it’s true that some will scoff, in all honesty they are most likely quite envious at your early success. You must realize that as the entrepreneur, you are (or will soon become) the expert at whatever business venture you intend to pursue. Exude that confidence and others will respect and embrace it. Never, ever, let your age slow you down.
Show traction before selling hype
Finally, this last tidbit is something that far too many entrepreneurs forget. The days of a decent idea and then selling the sizzle all the way to the bank are over. In order to be successful in your next venture, you absolutely MUST prove value in your idea before anyone will consider investing in you. Take the steps necessary to show traction before selling hype.