The question came as a bit of a surprise. “How did you know you were an Entrepreneur?”
I had to think about this. Was it my desire to have things I couldn’t afford? Like when I was 12 and started a poster distribution business out of my bedroom. Remember those huge posters of beautiful places to decorate a traditional 80’s bedroom? I wanted them but couldn’t afford them. I realized if I ordered these posters for my friends and became a distributor that I would get mine for free. As a bonus, sometimes the company made errors and I had a surplus to sell!
Was it when I took the aptitude test that suggested I become a roofer? Just because I wanted to be outside, didn’t mind schlepping, and wasn’t afraid of heights… Or the career consultant who believed a sensible choice for me would be in a secretarial role. Just nothing creative—it would be too hard.
My job at Elle Magazine as a photo editor gave me a lot of freedom to express my ideas. But still, something was always missing. Upon further examination I arrived at three facts about me:
- I had a lot of ideas with which my bosses didn’t necessarily agree.
- I want to be the boss.
- I want to change the world.
Voila! Here I am. I’ve been an Entrepreneur almost my entire professional career. Once you overcome the fear of taking the plunge, you’ll realize it is a great lifestyle. To be fair, it is a lot of work but the rewards are fantastic.
When you want to make a change, the first step is knowing where you want to end up. If you are wondering if deep down you are an Entrepreneur too, here are some signs you may be one of us:
- You constantly question the way things are done. You may have thoughts like this: “I understand the entire budget needs to be spent by the end of the year so we can be allocated to get the same amount next year. But it makes no sense to spend it without a clear objective.. Why not instead…?”
- You want to be known for something—something that makes the world better, improves a life, makes anything easier. You see yourself on a stage speaking about how amazing your journey was to get there.
- You can’t help but stand out. And frankly, the thought of being a part of something is great in theory, you know the spot at the top is held by one person. You, and you alone, should be there.
- You experience a steady flow of ideas in your head. You play scenarios through, trace forms with your fingers, fiddle, fix, draw, and terrorize your friends with yet another exciting idea you have.
- You are presently suffering from being painfully mediocre, and can’t shake the feeling that greatness slumbers inside of you. Is it a blessing or a curse that you are just so-so at many things? This is a great sign you are an Entrepreneur. Many of the most successful Entrepreneurs failed to shine on the paths they walked before. They only soar when mapping their own trails.
How did you realize you were meant to be an Entrepreneur? Please tell us all how you knew you were ready to make the switch. I can’t wait to hear about your Aha! moments.
I am a creative artist… Writing poetry “comes” to me easily… I just merely “take it down” as the thoughts flow out of me from within…
Music also “comes” to me … I love letting the music come out of my fingertips as I sit down to my beautiful grand piano that belonged to my grandfather… I “hear” music “come” to me…
I have published 3 poetry books and have recorded 3 music albums with music and poetry that has “come” to me… I feel as though I’m a “conduit” to the ethereal world out there that wants to “gift” me with all of these Wondrous things… I am grateful…
Sharing all of these things with others, gives me much joy.
There is much I would like to share, however I will do so another time, perhaps…..
Beautifully told Dianne. Thank you for sharing.
Who designed your new layout ? Bravo !!! *****
Succinct post along with hitting the nail on the head.
Visited gallery show work very similar to what have done AND with pricing $1,500 to $5,000 (doesn’t necessarily mean it actually sells) Show me the way out of my self imposed short comings.
Hi Fred, thanks for liking the new look. I am rather fond of it myself. If you want fine art sales you have to build that portion of the business. You certainly have the most comprehensive collection out there. I am also not sure that stock is the way for you but perhaps the Getty Museum or the LACMA as they are in the business of preserving history.
Website in development can be seen at
bgdscreative/clients/airviews
Oh ya, did I say you look Fabulous !!!
I always have new and, often, different ideas…I love working for myself, can’t stand the corporate world and concepts, and I have tried now three times to get a business up and running, but my business skills are what let me down… everybody seems to love the concepts etc (One was in the alternative and renewable energy fields,new, workable etc, but we battled to get finance and then as we got up and running, the 2008 recession came along and killed us) and a couple of other ventures.. and I’m pretty sure my confidence has taken a knock which is inhibiting getting my photography past this semi-pro level to a full time level.. (plus there must be a few hundred other ‘photographers’ out there who charge far less than a living ‘wage’ so to speak, who are taking a lot of business away from the pros) (added top which increased unauthorized use of images off the web and sites doesn’t help).
I am a horrible employee. Couldn’t stand the corporate world. The boss inside of me said “do it yourself”. I’ve been an entrepreneur for around 15 yrs now and would never go back.
Glad to hear it Karen. How is business?
Beate, I am so pleased to have read this fine article. I found it reassuring and empowering that I am on the right path as an artist. Of all the five signs you discuss, the one that speaks to me the loudest is, “suffering from being painfully mediocre” and that is where I struggle most.
I have always been artistic in nature. Music was my profession for 30 years as a classical tuba player, and now an emerging photographer as a portrait and headshot photographer.
I was considered to be independent at a very early age and have always felt the desire to do something different from following the crowd. As a result of these factors, I enlisted in the Marine Corps and was in basic training at 17 years old. I was the only one out of a graduating high school class of over 500. I always questioned authority policy when appropriate; when I became a leader, I lead procedurally correct, but in my own way and on my own terms, which was a double edged sword as you can imagine.
I believe being a perfectionist is a good thing, yet, my feelings of mediocrity is complicated by a major depression and anxiety disorder. These disorders have been well managed for 25 years now, but I can still feel the greatness within me being stifled somehow, which is counterintuitive to how I envision my artistic contributions and legacy. I have suffered for art and now is the time to build on and succeed in art.