What would the world be like without entrepreneurs? It’s a scary thought isn’t it? When you get right down to it, entrepreneurs have built the modern world as we know it. From inventors, founders and leaders from all across the globe, entrepreneurship has been a driving force for economic growth and development for centuries.
In the USA, in 2016 the month of November was designated as National Entrepreneurship Month by former President Barack Obama by proclamation. This month was set aside by proclamation to celebrate the entrepreneurs who serve their communities and bolster the economy.
Entrepreneurship means different things to different people. In my humble opinion, entrepreneurship is the process of creating, managing and operating a business with the hopes of getting customers and making a profit. Of course, the concept of entrepreneurship may mean something different to every entrepreneur you ask. In theory, entrepreneurship sounds enterprising, sexy and even enticing to some. However, the brutal reality is that most entrepreneurs do not make over six figures per year. The cold hard facts are that there are 582 million entrepreneurs in the world. And 22.5% of small businesses fail within the first year. Considering the failure rate of entrepreneurship, it’s important to consider some of the best ways we can support entrepreneurs. Let’s look at some creative ways you can celebrate entrepreneurship and support the entrepreneurs and small business owners you may know.
1. SUPPORT WITH A PURCHASE
Considering the fact that most entrepreneurs are in business to make money, it stands to reason that the best way to celebrate National Entrepreneurship Month is to purchase a product or service from an entrepreneur. Let’s look at some ways you can celebrate entrepreneurship and support the entrepreneurs you know. Shop at your favorite small business in your town or city. Don’t just look for products to purchase, look for services that you need as well. There are many qualified service-based entrepreneurs who can perform any service you may need from bookkeeping to business coaching.
There are many resources and websites you can search for service providers on sites like Yelp, Thumbtack, UpWork , LinkedIn and more. Of course, you can always search on social media using the appropriate hashtag for what you are looking for. For example: if you need an accountant, you can simply search for an accountant on LinkedIn. Or if you are looking for a business coach you can search for a business coach on LinkedIn. Once you complete a search, you will get a listing of people in your network and outside of your network to choose from. All you have to do at that point is simply send a message or a connection request.
Just to take it a step further and show your support, after you have made a purchase with an entrepreneur, if you were satisfied with the product or service, share it with a friend by recommending that entrepreneur or small business to someone else. It’s that simple. Word of mouth is the oldest form of advertising and it costs you nothing extra to pay a compliment to a small business owner or entrepreneur who would undoubtedly appreciate it.
2. FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
In the 21st Century it goes without saying that most entrepreneurs have an online presence and are using social media to promote themselves and or their businesses. That said, one great way to support an entrepreneur is to follow them on all of the social media platforms where they participate. Most entrepreneurs have at least 2 or 3 platforms they are using to promote their businesses. Considering the fact that billions of people are using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, those are the top four places you can search for your favorite entrepreneurs.
Whether you like, share, follow, tweet, or retweet, all of it equals engagement for that entrepreneur, and these days in interaction on social media is critical. The best part about supporting an entrepreneur on social media is that it costs you nothing.
3. BECOME A MENTOR
There are people starting new businesses everyday. If you are an entrepreneur, find a new entrepreneur and show them the ropes. You can offer to share information that you have learned along the way that can perhaps shorten the learning curve for them. You don’t have to assume the role of their consultant, you can simply mentor them an offer free advice and moral support. At the very least you would be planting good karma for someone to help you get to the next level of your entrepreneurship journey.
There is an awesome quote that sums up what mentorship and helping others is all about. “There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.” Mandy Hale
Now there you have it, I’ve shared 3 solid and creative ways you can support and celebrate National Entrepreneurship Month: PURCHASE, FOLLOW and MENTOR. What would you add to this list? Leave your comment below.
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This article was written by Lori A. Manns, President of Quality Media Consultant Group. Want to use this article for your blog or business website? Here’s the author’s box that you must include.
© 2020 All Rights Reserved Quality Media Consultant Group LLC
This article was written by Lori A. Manns. President of Quality Media Consultant Group. Lori is a multi award-winning marketing mentor, sales coach and trailblazing business strategist who works with small business owners and entrepreneurs to help them grow and scale their businesses. She specializes in sales and marketing strategies that result in her clients attracting their target market, gaining brand visibility and growing revenue. Lori is President of Quality Media Consultant Group, a consultancy firm specializing in media, advertising, marketing and sales. She is the founder of the Trailblazer Business Academy. where advancing entrepreneurs go to learn growth strategies and how to run a profitable business the soulful way. Lori is also the creator of the Sponsorship Sales Secrets System;™ which shows business owners how to get more corporate sponsors and sales for their business, guaranteed. To learn more about the work Lori does to help business owners and entrepreneurs all across the U.S. to accelerate their revenue and succeed in business, visit www.qualitymediaconsultants.com