Action, Action, Action! That is the Name of the Entrepreneurial Game

“I don't think anybody ever started a great business because they wanted to make a little more cash. They had a dream. They wanted to better their life.” Robert Herjavec

I had a dream. I still have dreams. In fact, I never stop dreaming. And that is what entrepreneurs are – dreamers. We want a better life, we want the dream realized.

So what does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? That’s a loaded question. Since it has been’#SharkTankWeek and with season 6 of Shark Tank on the horizon, I thought I would talk a little about my own Shark Tank inspired advice for entrepreneurs.

Sure, you have to be confident – in yourself and your product. You also have to know your product inside and out, always be prepared to sell, give a presentation, or just give your elevator pitch. You never know when you are talking to your next big customer or your next major investor.

Suit up and show up, don’t give in to procrastination or hesitation. Don’t lose the faith and don’t look for things to go wrong – and even if they do, it’s just a bump in the road. Create a product or service that solves problems and benefits your customers. Keep it honest and believe in your brand.

And in the words of Kevin O’Leary, “Whatever you pay attention to, Grows!”

The Unforgettable Presentation

“It’s not about the idea, it’s about how prepared you are. Everyone has ideas, most don’t do the work required to get the job done. The 2nd thing you need to know is that sales are the most important aspect of a small business, No sales, no company.” Mark Cuban

When you make a presentation, preparation is key. The number one way to combat fear of public speaking or giving a presentation is to be prepared. Preparation makes a huge difference not only in your confidence level, but also in the way your presentation flows and impacts your audience.

Dress appropriately; keep it neat. Of course you should dress for your environment or theme but at the very least keep it business casual. Dress for success. Appearance does make a difference.

Your delivery is also important. Look people in the eye. Stand up straight, shoulders squared, but stay relaxed. Don’t look at the floor or mumble or slump your shoulders. Even if you don’t feel confident, let your body language reflect that you do. Soon you will start to feel confident.

Be yourself and tell your story. Talk about your product, service, or brand and let your passion and dedication shine through. Your goal is to get people as excited about your idea as you are. [Tweet this tip]

Bringing the Idea to Life

“Don’t start any business unless it’s an obsession and something you love.” Mark Cuban

Action, action, action! That is the name of the entrepreneurial game. Like Mark said, make sure it is something that you love. It should be something you love because you will be spending a lot of time with it.

Research, practice, experiment, beta test, document the process, then start all over again until you get it right. Don't ever give up! In this case, obsession is a good thing so obsess on making your idea, your dream, a reality and keep focusing on the hope of reaching that goal. You have to eat, breathe and sleep that winning idea into reality. Close your ears to the doubters and nay sayers. Stay the course no matter what.

Know that you will fail. You are going to fall and get a few bumps and bruises along the way. Suck it up and accept the failures as part of the process. Keep the faith and keep your chin up. Like Robert says, your best investment is in yourself.

“I think the best investment is in yourself and I’m running a living, breathing, high-growth company.” Robert Herjavec

Challenges along the Way

“It doesn't matter how many times you fail. You only have to be right once and then everyone can tell you that you are an overnight success.” Mark Cuban

Will there be challenges while you work to make your dream come true? You bet there will! Guess what, you are going to fail, fall flat on your face, and even have days that you don’t feel like you can put one foot in front of the other. But don’t give in; don’t quit! You only have to be right once!

If you have a family that can be the toughest part. It might feel like you are dragging them along – and dragging them through the mud. You’ll miss your family and you might even feel a little guilty because you can’t spend more time with them. Just keep your eye on the prize and know that when everything comes together it will all be worth it. You can spend all the time you want with them whenever you want. I have to remind myself of that every day because it's easy for me to feel like I'm not spending enough time with my wife and kids. Then I remember that I am doing this for them – and I remember what they mean to me.

My wife is my rock. There are lots of sleepless nights and many times I am so engrossed in what I am doing I forget to eat. If my wife doesn't put a plate of food in front of me I will go the whole day without eating. People close to you can be discouraging so surround yourself with positive, encouraging people who will support you. When those other people are telling me I can’t succeed, my wife is whispering in my ear, “Yes, you can.” It makes all the difference.

There seems to be no short supply of discouraging things. The money isn't always there, it can be isolating because entrepreneurship can be a lonely road. But I can’t allow my emotions to distract me from reaching my goals. I can’t allow my environment to control me. Most of all, I had to stop letting money control me. And that is the big, BIG thing to remember here. As Kevin O’Leary says, “Don't let the dark clouds of greed confuse you.” Take control. Own it. Conquer it. Be the biggest shark in the tank.

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