Do Something!
CS Hayden had an excellent post on entreprenuerialism from a young age which I thoroughly enjoyed. Anyone who knows me well knows that I very much enjoy business and marketing. Start talking to me about business topics and you are very likely to have trouble shutting me up (Of course, I might be like that on any topic, so I don't know that that is saying a whole lot, but, I digress...).
I am currently spearheading the Christmas marketing campaign for The Old Schoolhouse magazine. What an adventure. I've never done something of this magnitude before and it has been a learning experience, to say the least. Gratefully, I have a lot of very capable and qualified individuals working with me on it, otherwise I would never be able to pull it off. I am definitely not qualified for something this big, but the one thing I have learned over the past few years is that sometimes the best way to learn and grow is just to do it. Step up to the plate, be willing to make mistakes and learn from them, have a teachable spirit, and keep on listening, studying, and learning all you can -- you can never know enough about business and marketing, especially in this fast-paced, technologically-driven world.
And it's never too early to start becoming an entreprenuer. I know of a little 4-year-old boy who made over $1000 last summer selling plant starters at a Farmer's Market where he lives. His parents want to instill entreprenuerial skills in him and they decided it wouldn't hurt to start early since he had the ideas and inspiration and only needed a little help to pull it off.
For those who would like to start a business of some sort, my advice is just like CS Hayden's: Do something, anything, even if it seems miniscule. Whether it flops or succeeds, you'll learn a lot through the process. A lot of people never do anything because they are too afraid to try. Sure, you'll probably make a lot of mistakes. I know I sure have, but I've learned more through trial and error and real-life experience than I probably could have ever learned any other way. Surround yourself with wise counsellors and people who are more experienced and knowledgeable than you and soak up all their wisdom.
It has been amazing to look back on the last few years and see how much we have learned. I know it is God -- not us. He is the One Who has blessed our little efforts and our business. He is the One Who has provided opportunities, brought contacts our way, and guided our family. He is the One Who has provided for us through our law school journey. None of this would have ever been possible had we not first been willing to step out in faith and do something.
I am currently spearheading the Christmas marketing campaign for The Old Schoolhouse magazine. What an adventure. I've never done something of this magnitude before and it has been a learning experience, to say the least. Gratefully, I have a lot of very capable and qualified individuals working with me on it, otherwise I would never be able to pull it off. I am definitely not qualified for something this big, but the one thing I have learned over the past few years is that sometimes the best way to learn and grow is just to do it. Step up to the plate, be willing to make mistakes and learn from them, have a teachable spirit, and keep on listening, studying, and learning all you can -- you can never know enough about business and marketing, especially in this fast-paced, technologically-driven world.
And it's never too early to start becoming an entreprenuer. I know of a little 4-year-old boy who made over $1000 last summer selling plant starters at a Farmer's Market where he lives. His parents want to instill entreprenuerial skills in him and they decided it wouldn't hurt to start early since he had the ideas and inspiration and only needed a little help to pull it off.
For those who would like to start a business of some sort, my advice is just like CS Hayden's: Do something, anything, even if it seems miniscule. Whether it flops or succeeds, you'll learn a lot through the process. A lot of people never do anything because they are too afraid to try. Sure, you'll probably make a lot of mistakes. I know I sure have, but I've learned more through trial and error and real-life experience than I probably could have ever learned any other way. Surround yourself with wise counsellors and people who are more experienced and knowledgeable than you and soak up all their wisdom.
It has been amazing to look back on the last few years and see how much we have learned. I know it is God -- not us. He is the One Who has blessed our little efforts and our business. He is the One Who has provided opportunities, brought contacts our way, and guided our family. He is the One Who has provided for us through our law school journey. None of this would have ever been possible had we not first been willing to step out in faith and do something.
posted by Crystal Paine at 8:56 PM
12 Comments:
I had just finished reading C.S. Hayden's post that you are referring to. My husband has ALWAYS been interested in entreprenuerialism his whole life. For me it's a little scarier because a regular job seems more 'secure'. I have changed my opinion over the years though, so I'm interested to read what people have to say about this!
BTW if I had children, I think I would try to encourage them in this area....especially since my husband is so into it. And when you're young and have the 'safety net' of parents then it's easier when and if you fail. (o:
Mrs. B.: My husband is currently employed as a Director of Technology for a company not his own. However, he is an entrepreneur at heart; he's been programming since age ten, supported us successfully for years (by the grace of God) with his own company and desires to someday come back home (please, Lord).
I never once worried about his getting food on the table, thanks to this verse I made my own:
I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. -- Psalm 37:25
Mrs. B., perhaps that verse can be of encouragement to you, too! :)
My husband just left a very well paying job and we sold our house, moved out of state and now he is going back to school to completely change careers - all with 2 children and one on the way!!! It is scary!!!
I read C.S. Hayden's post the other night and he really made some great points. I especially liked his "wage slave" comment. :-)
Life is full of adventure and for me at least, I like to see what God is going to do next!!!!!
Just an FYI for you Crystal: Pat keeps on asking Lauren about starting a business on-line....."what have you learned today???", "Are you making any money yet???!!!!" Hee hee!! It is really a riot, because before he was home so little, he never knew what was going on - now he is home so much we have to spend hours explaining things to him that he has missed out on!!!!!!!! HA!!!! OH and one more thing: He even gave Samuel a bath last night BY HIMSELF!!!!!!!!!! Oh happy day!
Ruthann: I mean to say too, that I really like the Scripture verse you posted. I think I am going to take that one an put it all over the house. How very encouraging to us all!
I definitely agree with the importance of instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in children from a young age. I came from a family of teachers, ministers, and civil servants. The ethic in our family was of "public service." Don't get me wrong, public service is certainly important, but I wish I'd understood sooner the importance of having the capacity to be your own boss as well as the very real ways in which entrepreneurship improves the life of a community.
Don't any of you want your husband's out of the house? I enjoy our weekends together but I think he would get much more work done at the office. There are too many distractions at home, especially with babies in the house.
My husband works in business continuity and could probably, eventually start his own business. I just think it is very risky to do this when kids are little and health benefits are important.
I know he would like to be his own boss but right now he has so many great opportunities at his company that, I see, as blessings from God. Especially when I see so many of my friends struggling with finaces. I guess we both agree that the security of our children and home comes before our own personal dreams and ambitions.
Btw, Crystal. You said your husband will be graduating this year. What are his next plans. What kind of law is he going to practice?
Oh, I go for my U/S in a few hours, incase anyone is interested. Please all pray that everything is OK.
-Zan
Zan, I love having my husband home. He gets to work from home some now with his current job and it is wonderful!
He has one semester left in law school. We are really praying for God's direction after that. There are a lot of possibilities, but no clear direction yet. (Anyone know of a Godly, Christian attorney looking for an assistant?? :)
Oh, and we want to know what you are having! You'll have to come back and tell us when you find out!
We grew up having a home business. It can be really, really stressful at times, but it was alot of good learning experiences for us. There are always things that can go wrong and mom and dad had several things go wrong and lost alot of money that way.
Cheryl: That's funny! I hope that Lauren is able to start something successful, which is a blessing to you all. :)
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Thank you Ruthanne...that IS good verse to remember!
I am very old fashioned. THe women should be home with the kids and the husband should be away in the fields or the office. I don't think I could handle him at home all day. I love him dearly but he would get in my way and I in his. Separation is good.
-Zan
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