Realizing that Valentine’s Day marks six months since my business launch, Innovators on Wheels, I wanted to share a few reflections on lessons that I have learned:
- Focus on my strengths and ask for help in areas that are not my strengths. Every hour (and minute!) counts in entrepreneurship – I have learned that it is more beneficial for me to prioritize my core strengths and outsource areas where I need help – such as website development, backend processes, and contract writing. Fortunately, I am grateful for a strong network of resources to help me with the business functions that do not bring me joy.
- On the note of strong network, I have learned that relationships are everything in business. Despite having tech tools to evaluate whether we want to work with someone, we are still human beings and there is nothing more powerful than “word of mouth” feedback. I have always had and will continue to have a “people first” mindset. Relationships matter, taking care of people (customers, employees, friends, family, etc.) matters – I have learned that good things come to those who prioritize people and I will always have this as my top core value.
- Consulting/client engagements are a two-way decision process – it is important to have clear guidelines of types of clients I want to work with and types of consultants that my clients want to work with, expectations for working together, and norms for communications, deliverable format, and accountability. Setting these expectations up front has made it a smoother process for successful client engagements.
- It is only natural to go between serving as an entrepreneur and an intrapraneur. As I share in many of my innovation workshops, intrapraneurs innovate within a business and entrepreneurs build their own business. Both are innovative, ambitious, demonstrate leadership, and are willing to see through the gray to create a clear path forward. Throughout my career, I have found that I am drawn to bringing new initiatives to life, starting with a blank canvas and creating a vision for an organization’s future. I am excited to bring back my intrapraneurial passion and now serve as the Director of Business Development for AquaAction, the binational nonprofit focused on building a water secure future.
Thank you for your support throughout my entrepreneurial journey. I’m curious to hear from you – what lessons have you learned when serving as an entrepreneur or an intrapraneur?
Also, I look forward to seeing you at Innovators on Skis this Friday, February 21 from 9am-10am at Hickory Hills in Traverse City! An active networking opportunity while cross country skiing for you to learn more about Illuminate Opportunity LLC, the Green Door Folk School, and TART Trails!
