We’ve all experienced the certain look that people give you when they don’t take you seriously. As a young person in business, it can at times be discouraging when people don’t accept the mission and vision that drives you as an entrepreneur. But there are things you can do to boost your skills, credibility, and confidence, so you can push past barriers and succeed anyway.
Do your research
One of the best ways to set yourself up for success as a young businessperson is to do your research. Always make sure that you have facts and figures to back up your entrepreneurial endeavours. In reality, this is something that all business owners, whether old or young, have to do.
We all have ideas that may seem amazing to us. But rather than just relying on your personal feelings, you have to ask yourself: Has this idea been tried and tested? Is this a viable business model? Who can I look to for guidance in pursuing this type of business?
Remember that entrepreneurship is not always about reinventing the wheel. You can take what is already out there and make it your own, to match the ultimate goals of your business. The most important thing is to build your business on a strong foundation that will stand the test of time.
Develop the skills you need
When you are good at what you do, you start to gain the attention and respect of those who didn’t take you seriously before. As a young entrepreneur, strive to be so good that they can’t ignore you. How can you do this?
Take the initiative to learn skills that can set you apart from the competition or enhance your credibility in the minds of potential customers. For example, you could earn a professional certification in a field that you hope to offer freelance services in, such as digital marketing, IT, or teaching english. Or you could enroll in a step-by-step program offered by someone who has found success with the type of business model you hope to implement.
Taking a course drastically reduces the amount of time you have to spend figuring things out (and struggling) in the early stages of your business. It gives you the opportunity to learn from experts and those who have already made mistakes so you don’t have to.
The key is to undergo training of some sort. Don’t skip this part and jump to prematurely launching a business. Self-education is vital in learning how to start a business the right way. The time and effort you invest in developing knowledge and skills in the beginning will pay off in years to come.
Don’t stress out, just do your thing
Some things just take time. As your business grows, you will start to reap the fruits of your labour, and those who doubted you will have nothing to do but stare in silence. But for now, don’t worry about reactions or results.
Put the work in and stay focused on your business, because the actions you consistently take on a daily basis will determine your outcome – not what people think or say.
It’s also important not to compare yourself to your peers, who may be following a different path. This is especially true if you choose to forgo a traditional career in order to pursue your business. In the beginning, you may feel like you’re behind everyone else, but if you stay dedicated and focused, things can quickly turn around. Once you build momentum, your business and income can grow at an exponential rate, in a way that would most likely be impossible if you were employed by someone else.
But you’ll only reach that stage if you stay in your own lane and avoid distractions now. Even if others don’t take you seriously – you can take yourself seriously by working hard and being dedicated to your vision from day one.
Final Thoughts
You can’t control how people think or act towards you, but you are always in control of your actions. By showing initiative and taking responsibility for your personal growth, you can gain wisdom far beyond your years and achieve impressive results. Stay committed so you can see the day when your results speak louder than anything you could say yourself. By that point, the people who didn’t believe in you will be telling everyone how they met you.
