Guest Article
Women in business are a wonderful thing, but divas in business simply are not. There is zero room for attitude and personal demands as the founder of a startup small business. If you plan on the entrepreneurial community catering to your every whim, you will fail before you even begin.
To launch a successful startup you need to be willing to work harder, longer and for less (usually nothing at the beginning) than any other person out there to make your idea become a reality. Essentially, you need to be the anti-diva. All attention and energy should be focused on your startup, not you. If that sounds contrary to your ideal life scenario, you may want to take a pass on entrepreneurship, sister.
However, if you have a burning desire to transform your idea into an amazing business, there are a few anti-diva rules that will help pave the way to your startup’s success.
Be open to ideas (that aren’t yours). It may be “your startup”, but that doesn’t mean that you should be the sole source of ideas and inspiration. Listen to your team and make a practice of having brainstorming sessions where everyone’s input is valued. Other peoples’ experiences and areas of expertise can generate ideas you would never have, and that will make your business much more innovative and successful.
Never let your mood dictate your manners. It truly doesn’t matter who you are, if you are rude, people will not want to work with you or for you. Those stuck under your employ will be less inclined to “give it their all”, which is exactly what you need for your company to be successful. An anti-diva can take a horrible mood/day and use her angst to power through projects instead of venting on innocent coworkers.
Treat obstacles as opportunities. The world of business is tough, and the failure rate for startups is high. Don’t take setbacks personally. It is a waste of your valuable time and emotional energy to throw a fit over business issues. Remember “it’s not about you,” and use your energy to solve the problem creatively. Many of today’s most recognized companies owe their success to overcoming hurdles, which changed their businesses for the better.
Ask for help, even when it hurts your pride. Everyone likes to feel completely confident and knowledgeable in matters pertaining to their business. In reality, launching a startup involves more questions than answers. The entrepreneurs who ask for help and wisdom when they face challenges are infinitely more successful than their peers who cobble together solutions to save face. If you want to see your startup succeed, you’ll need to prioritize it above your personal pride.
Support other women in business. Be a mentor or simply connect young entrepreneurs with the people that can help make their business dreams come true. Paying it forward makes a huge difference to the people you help, and the ripple effect has a way of rewarding women who aid other women. Strong business women supporting each other inspire other women to start their own businesses, and who doesn’t want to inspire positive change in the world?
An added perk to being an anti-diva is the positive regard you build within your startup community. No one may mention it, but your selflessness and drive are being noted. Should you or your business ever need advice or funding, you will be amazed at the people who come out of the woodwork to assist you. Divas are not so lucky when faced with similar situations.
I hope my tips help you begin the journey of a lifetime as you jump into the wonderful world of small business.
About the Author: Danielle Tate is the founder and president of MissNowMrs.com. As a successful entrepreneur, Danielle is a newlywed expert, on-camera personality, writer, author of a top rated Google newlywed blog and a bridal magazine contributor.
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