Entrepreneurship: A Journey, not a Destination

We have learned lots of things about the inside of entrepreneurs minds by watching them, working with them, and being them.

One of the things we find very interesting was a simple comment. Someone said most entrepreneur’s businesses boom after they’ve reached age 60.

Many people in their 20s seek entrepreneurship as a destination, thinking that once they become an entrepreneur they have “arrived.” The reality is that wisdom and insights come only with years of work and connections.

One example is Peter Drucker, the well-known Management Consultant and author of 39 books. Only 1/3 of his books were written before age 65. The other 2/3 came after the age of 65.

There are many more examples you could learn from just by reading and learning about all the business leaders or organizations that some assume became successful overnight. The reality is that they are connected to mentors, insiders, and networks of people with lots of wisdom. These connections save them years of experiences that they would otherwise have to go through.

This is why we believe entrepreneurship is a journey, not a destination. You’ll never “arrive,” you’ll just continue to move forward.

We are asking economic developers, educators, and individuals who support entrepreneurs or small-medium businesses around the world to rethink their reasoning behind why they support them.

In our experience, it is not to get them to their destination, but to help them, guide them, or support them through the journey.

BEFORE YOU GO:

We see our blogs as opportunities for dialogue. Please share your thoughts as comments.

1. What are you doing today to support entrepreneurs in reference to their being on a journey versus seeking a destination?

2. What else can you do to support them in that endeavor?

3. What other tools or ideas have you thought about in reference to this topic?

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Faris Alami is Founder and CEO of International Strategic Management, Inc. (ISM). He works internationally, presenting Exploring Entrepreneurship Workshops and other entrepreneurial ecosystem — related ventures.