If you’ve read the title then you know, we’re talking about the beliefs that destroy business before you even get a chance to start. We work with women from all over, with dreams in just about every category. There is not one entrepreneur spirit that hasn’t thought or believed most, if not all, of these false concepts at one point. We’re going to go over each false belief and give some clarity as to why these are the lies that squash businesses.
#1 I need a business degree to build a business.
Nope, not even close. Actually, only about 9% of entrepreneurs have a Bachelor’s degree in business. Everyone else just makes stuff up and finds a way to make it work. Being an entrepreneur is more about being scrappy and having moxie than it is about knowing everything there is to know about business. On top of that, there are so many resources available for entrepreneurs! If you are willing to learn and make mistakes, you have everything you need to be successful. Just get started.
(Quickbooks. “Time Small Business Report 2019: Quickbooks Time.” Quickbooks, QuickBooks, 2019, https://quickbooks.intuit.com/time-tracking/resources/small-business-report/.)
#2 It is safer to have a real job.
Are you sure? Being an entrepreneur is not for everyone. We can agree on that. Some people do better in “regular” jobs. That doesn’t mean it’s the majority. In fact, we’ve already seen a spike in the number of people becoming entrepreneurs in the last few years. More and more people now know that diversifying the market is powerful and benefits our local communities, our families, and the economy at large. Big businesses tend to keep wealth in a singular location or with a particular group.
Aside from the effect, big businesses have on our economies, the culture of big business has helped to create a society lacking personal boundaries. The ideas of “work until the job is finished” or “do it my way or lose your job” are fear-inducing concepts that can hold people in abusive situations. They could fire you at any time. In big business, you are replaceable and usually, they don’t care how you feel about it.
It doesn’t have to be that way. With your own business, you are the boss of you. No longer do you depend on a supervisor to tell you what to do or how to do it. The number of hours and the pay are determined by you. As long as customers continue to come in, you created a consistent, steady income. You are sovereign. All you need is the right product and the right market. We can help with that.
KAUFFMAN INDICATORS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP. (2022, April). Rate of new entrepreneurs indicator. Kauffman Indicators of Entrepreneurship. Retrieved August 12, 2022, from https://indicators.kauffman.org/indicator/rate-of-new-entrepreneurs
Treece, D. (2022, July 6). How small businesses benefit local economies. Business News Daily. Retrieved August 12, 2022, from https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/1298-small-business-good-for-economy.html
#3 I don’t have the time
The national working hour average for business owners is actually only 38.6 hours per week. But small business owners report closer to 60 hours per week. Now you might be thinking “didn’t you just prove that I don’t have time?” and to that, I say…..possibly. However, we believe that one of the reasons small business owners are spending so much time on their business is largely because they don’t have healthy strong boundaries for themselves or their customers. No one is saying you have to be there for your clients 24/7 to be successful. Your sanity and peace are more important. Even if you are an entrepreneur, you should have set business hours. Build systems of respect between yourself and your customers from the very beginning!
Plus you don’t have to let go of your old job immediately. Focus on small progressive steps with your new business. Let your business grow naturally and when you make enough to support your family, then start thinking about letting go of other responsibilities such as your “regular” job. Another thing to think about is business experimentation. Before putting any money or serious time into your business idea, evaluate interest in your target market.
Wood, Meredith. “What Is the Average Small Business Owner Salary in the U.S.?” What Is the Average Small Business Owner Salary in the U.S.?, Fundera, 11 Nov. 2020, https://www.fundera.com/blog/study-finds-business-owners-earn-less.
#4 I don’t know anything
Honestly, this may be true but so WHAT? You are still a rock star. You can learn the rock moves (Thanks P!nk). 99% of being an entrepreneur is winging it. Trying something and working with the results to build better more efficient methods, systems, and strategies. There are so many resources out there for you. You don’t have to start from scratch. You can learn so much and you don’t have to do it alone. This leads us to the next lie.
#5 I have to do it all by myself
Who told you this?? Where did this come from? Someone tell me so I can wipe it off from the face of the earth. You are not alone! Maybe you don’t have support from your family. Maybe your spouse is not onboard. Maybe your society spits out discouraging messages that develop isolating stereotypes. You have already found yourself in a place to find the support you are looking for.
Let me introduce you to Soul Seed Academy. We were literally built to be the community that your world is missing. The place to find other women just like you who are struggling with feeling inadequate. Who feel like they have to do everything alone. Women whose life calling feels just out of reach. We are the bridge between what you feel your world is and what you want your world to be. Not only do we invite you to join our community and participate in our programs but we have also built a network of kind business experts who believe in you and are here to support and guide you. We believe in the power of women in business.
If you’d like to learn more, we would love for you to join us at our next retreat. If now is not the right time for you, you can still reach out and schedule a time to meet our team.
