During my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve done everything from managing ice cream inventory to coordinating a property maintenance schedule. I’ve founded several businesses and previously worked in different industries. It’s this variety that primed me for success and is a path I recommend for any entrepreneur who wants their business to thrive. I’m now the founder and CEO of the Epic Health and Fitness franchise, a successful and growing company. But to get to this place of entrepreneurial success, I first developed a wide range of skills and was always open to learning new things.
Working in different fields gives you the tools you need to satisfy customers, build a brand, and create a lasting business.
Key Takeaways
- Diverse work experience equips entrepreneurs with essential skills for building a business and satisfying customers.
- Focus on finding the right ‘first jobs’ that help you acquire specific knowledge rather than aiming only for high-pressure roles.
- There’s no ‘perfect moment’ to start; entrepreneurs should trust their skills and take calculated risks.
- Direct experience, like working in relevant fields, significantly aids in understanding how to run a successful business.
- Always reflect on your strengths and weaknesses; this enables better planning and increases the chances of achieving entrepreneurial success.
Here’s my advice for budding entrepreneurs who can leverage their experience for the best possible outcomes:
Find the Best “First Jobs”
It’s important to consider what jobs will prepare you for starting your own business. This doesn’t always mean the highest pressure or paying jobs, but instead roles that allow you to acquire specific knowledge or skills quickly. This could include working at a startup where you’d wear several hats and learn about the dedication it takes to succeed. Working in marketing or sales to learn how to present a product and interpersonal communication. Working a customer service job can serve you well as they force quick thinking, problem-solving, and a customer-centric approach. A managerial position is also helpful to learn delegation, dispute resolution, and how to handle high-value or dissatisfied customers.
There is no “Perfect Moment”
Before becoming an entrepreneur, I worked in finance and sold insurance. That experience matters because it helps build strong business and entrepreneurial skills, giving a clear understanding of what it takes to run a profitable operation. Finance touches every industry, and entrepreneurs tend to succeed when they combine effective marketing with a sharp focus on costs and margins. I performed well in that role, but eventually realized I wanted to work for myself. Many entrepreneurs reach that point. They are not necessarily unhappy, but they begin to see the upside of building something of their own and gain the confidence to pursue it. I always recommend using past roles to refine your direction, strengthen your entrepreneurial skill set, and build a reliable network.
I founded my first company after my time in finance. It was a pizza and ice cream restaurant in Key West, Florida. The key lesson from this experience I can impart to others is not to wait until the “perfect moment” to start a business. Perform due diligence and plan, but you must take risks and have faith in your ideas and your business skills.
I also recommend people start multiple businesses, because they learn the formula for entrepreneurial success, which is quality customer service, an in-demand product, and attractive pricing. After my restaurant, I opened a property maintenance company, a different vertical, but the same fundamentals always apply. Creating multiple businesses meant I gained invaluable knowledge before forming my latest and most ambitious venture.
Direct Experience Helps
Before I founded the Epic Health and Fitness franchise, I received an offer to work at a corporate “big box” gym. I started as a personal trainer and became a manager at the gym. I liked helping people achieve their goals, and this inspired me to create my own gym so I could help others and run the business my way. This opportunity helped me immensely when I founded Epic Health and Fitness.
When I created Epic Health and Fitness, it was the culmination of months of planning and years of professional preparation through working different jobs. I conducted location research, planned the finances, and created a comfortable and transparent membership model. The key point for other entrepreneurs is to always be thinking while you’re working your “day job.”
I don’t mean you won’t work hard for your employer, simply that you’re always learning and developing plans. Keep a journal and take notes about the things you’ve learned about business and yourself. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses and consider how those fit into your entrepreneurial venture.
Consider a self-assessment. Correlate things you’ve enjoyed in the past with your new business plans. This is a great chance to spot a disconnect. Maybe you disliked something you thought you would love, or found you needed a partner to help with the marketing and sales side of a new business. That’s the beauty of working in different fields and positions: you get to learn what works (and what doesn’t) so you can have entrepreneurial success right out of the gate.
