Samantha's Blog

Foriegner’s song plays as I attempt to make dinner:

I’ve been looking too hard, I’ve been waiting too long

Sometimes I don’t know what I will find

I only know it’s a matter of time…

It feels so right, so warm and true…

It made me think about how true and crucial this can be for many businesses both small and big--finding the right partners. 

Building a business or building up your division/expanding a company idea is hard work--and building successful business relationships takes the same stamina. No one builds a successful company initiative on just one idea and one person. 

The real work and real success comes with finding, keeping and nurturing the right relationships, ones that help build brighter ideas, which can be built into a growing business or expanding a division of an established company.

So remember, building profitable relationships are crucial too. So, when you find good partners – associates, vendors, bankers, clients – remember to cherish them… as they will help your business not perish!

Entrepreneurs can be found leading not just small businesses but within major corporations too.  Corporate entrepreneurs and small business owners – what traits do all of these entrepreneurial leaders share? 

According to Dr. Neal Thornberry in his book, Lead Like and Entrepreneur, both corporate and small business entrepreneurs have this in common:  they are passionate, are visionaries, are stubborn and are single-minded. 

So, I looked at that list and said, “Well, he’s right.  I’m all of those.”  And sometimes need to remember the last two.

Of course we all want to stick with our ideas – they’re our dream.  But sometimes you might need to modify them – and sometimes even abandon them and start anew.  That’s the tough part!

And it’s even tougher, I would think, in a corporate environment, where you have put your name on the line for a new product or service using company money and not your own (or a loan that you, personally, have to pay back).  That’s where the risk lies.  As entrepreneurs, we are all adventurers…risk takers…gamblers.

So don't be too stubborn to admit your idea might not be a good fit---just start sprouting another!