People love to romanticise entrepreneurship like it’s a scented candle: light it up, breathe in the success, and boom, you’re rich, tanned, and sipping something expensive in Bali. Lovely image, but wildly inaccurate.
Let me tell you the truth, from someone who’s been doing this dance for years—I’m talking about the cha-cha, the hustle, the electric slide of turning ideas into businesses, time and time again. You see, I’ve always been a bit of a serial starter. I can spot a gap, download a divine idea, research the life out of it (which I actually enjoy), and get something moving quicker than most people can open Canva. But here’s the bit I always underestimate: just how much goes into keeping a business alive, let alone profitable.
So before you rush to change your Instagram bio to “Entrepreneur” and launch your dream with a Canva logo and hope, let’s get something straight.
Business Owner vs. Entrepreneur: There Is a Difference
Let’s not get it twisted. A business owner runs something that exists, like a salon, a café, or a freelance service. It’s stable (ish), focused, and often built around known models. An entrepreneur, though? That’s someone who takes risks to create something new. They innovate, pivot, scale, and often faceplant.
Business Owner (n): A person who operates a business with a known model, focused on long-term profitability and sustainability.
Entrepreneur (n): A visionary who launches new ideas, often in uncertain markets, embracing risk and change as part of the game.
And yes, you can be both, but don’t assume they’re one and the same.
The Real Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship: Buckle Up
This isn’t the glossy journey you’ve seen on TikTok. This is the true, boots-on-the-ground, sweat-in-the-eyes reality. Let’s get into it.
1. Discipline: No Boss, Just You and the Alarm Clock
There’s no one watching, which means you have to be the annoying manager telling yourself to get off YouTube and crack on. No shortcuts. No coasting.
2. Organisation: Your Inner Admin Warrior
You’ll juggle marketing, sales, delivery, finance, branding, social media and still forget your mum’s birthday. Systems are your salvation.
3. Dedication: The Fire That Outlasts the Hype
Your motivation will leave. Often. Dedication has to step in and carry you across the dry spells.
4. Mindset: Protect It Like Your Edges
A business will test your self-worth faster than a dodgy ex. If your mindset’s not strong, neither is your business.
5. Delayed Gratification: Farmers Get It
Plant the seed, water it, wait. Then wait some more. If you need money now, entrepreneurship will break your spirit.
6. Starving Artist Phase: No Room for Chanel
Early on, the money isn’t pretty. You’ll pay your software subscriptions before you pay yourself. Fact.
7. Wearing All the Hats: Costume Change Central
You’ll be the marketer, copywriter, accountant, customer service rep, and sometimes janitor. Glamorous, it is not.
8. Finances: The Rule of Three
Don’t quit your job unless your side hustle earns three times your current salary. You’ll need to pay yourself, the business, and have profit left over.
9. Social Sacrifice: Bye Brunches
Missed parties. Ignored DMs. Friends thinking you’ve changed. You have, it’s called growth. They’ll get over it. Or not.
10. Be Coachable: You’re Not Beyoncé (Yet)
You need mentors, feedback, and a thick skin. Growth hurts. But stagnation is worse.
11. Industry Knowledge: Know Your Field Like Your Phone Password
Become obsessed. Read, watch, listen. The more you know, the less you wing it.
12. Spy on the Competition (With Class)
Not to copy, but to position. If everyone’s zigging, maybe you should zag.
13. Conflict Management: Don’t Be That Diva
You’ll need to keep your cool when things go left. Learn to breathe, not blast.
14. Innovation: Think Like a Rebel
Don’t follow trends—set them. If you’re doing what everyone else is doing, you’re invisible.
15. Networking: Show Up, Speak Up
Talk to people. Online, in person, in your sleep. Connections make coins.
16. Know Your Weaknesses (And Outsource When You Can)
You can’t do it all, but you should understand it all. Enough to not be fleeced.
17. Privacy: Keep Your Mouth (and Moves) Shut
Not everyone deserves to know your plans. Build quietly, then surprise them.
18. Skepticism: Not Everything Shiny is Gold
That coach with the rented car and vague testimonials? Red flag. Do your homework.
So… Are You Still In?
If you’re still nodding along, brilliant. This ride isn’t for the faint-hearted, but if you’ve got the guts, and a bit of grit, it can absolutely be the most rewarding adventure of your life.
Just promise me one thing: you won’t fall for the fantasy. Business is beautiful, but brutal. And if you’re doing it with soul and service in mind, the wins will be all the sweeter.Now, what kind of entrepreneur do you want to be?
*This image is AI-generated with prompts made by me and serve no educational purpose, it is only used to highlight certain aspects of this article.
