While the term “Entrepreneurship Mindset” has been used for decades, it’s fascinating to revisit the concept behind it. Consider the difference:

The employee mindset: “I need a job so I can get paid, be secure, and not worry about it.”

The entrepreneurship mindset: “Having a job is insecure because if I lose it, I lose everything. Having a business means if I lose a customer, I have an opportunity to gain another one, and an opportunity to gain more if I take correct action.”

One thing that I like to share with aspiring entrepreneurs is that while moving from employment to entrepreneurship might seem glorious, the reality is that you move from having one boss as an employee, to having many bosses. The reality is that every customer is your new boss. This mind shift and mindset must be addressed as you transition from employment to entrepreneurship.

It also means that every day you have to please and respond to your customers wants and demands. There’s what you may want to do, and then there is what you need to be doing to keep customers happy. Of course, at some point you might realize that you are going after the wrong customer at the wrong time at the wrong price. It’s all part of the learning.

BEFORE YOU GO

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

1. What mindset and behaviors do you need to shift in order to move from employment to entrepreneurship?

2. What other tools have you used to stay focused on finding new customers to sustain your business?

3. What advice might you offer to others moving into the entrepreneurial ecosystem?

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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.