Making a Courageous Choice With Dorothy Liu

“Not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur. It’s something you’re either born with or you can develop a skill into, but it’s not meant for everyone.” – Kyle Willis (3:16-3:25)

Kyle Willis
Marketing from the Roosevelt Room

Knowing when to embrace the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship is often the first hurdle on the path to success. More than half of all small businesses fail within their first four years, making the prospect of stepping out on your own even more daunting. Asking yourself the right questions helps eliminate much of the fear that holds entrepreneurs back from making their dreams into a reality.

Dorothy Liu is an expert on what it means to be an entrepreneur. Having spent time in top roles at companies like Apple and Microsoft, Dorothy eventually started her own consulting agency. She now mentors others who want to blaze their own business trails by helping them get clear on who they are as entrepreneurs and on the path to success.

The DNA of the Entrepreneur

“The thing that’s hard for entrepreneurs to believe is that you are worth every penny. That belief is the ‘X factor’ for entrepreneurs.” – Dorothy Liu (25:25-25:48)

Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. The traits that make a successful entrepreneur are either natural, innate giftings or developed into a skill set that makes it possible to turn an idea into a thriving business. While some people are willing to take risks and try anything, others are more measured in the actions they take. Many entrepreneurs follow the traditional life script. They take the academic path, earning business degrees and other qualifications that drive them to work for established companies. But like Dorothy, many feel unfulfilled with the work they’re doing. So they look to entrepreneurship as a way to pursue their passions and create something valuable for the world.

Successful entrepreneurs understand the foundational principles and have the discipline to implement them in their business. When the fundamentals are in place, it is possible to make the decisions that move you forward towards building a business despite the risks that entrepreneurship brings.

“When people are dissatisfied with what they’re doing every day, it’s because they’ve moved away from what’s truly important to them.” – Dorothy Liu (11:22-11:30)

Find Guidance Along the Way

Every entrepreneur’s journey is unique. While building a business, it is really important to make sure that the choices made honor your core values. Working with a coach or mentor who can guide you through this process can help to overcome whatever obstacles may stand in the way. When we take the time and space to discover core values, the result is clarity and a clear path for the next logical steps. When looking at the path forward, it’s important to remember that comfort level for risk is unique for each entrepreneur.

When you move closer to honoring your values in the actions you take, achieving success in your business becomes just a matter of time. Consider the purpose of your entrepreneurial journey. How can you break it down to the next 10 minutes, 10 days, 10 weeks? What do you need to feel safe and secure as you move forward? What needs must be met to take the next big leap in your business?

Answering these and other questions puts success within your reach. Choosing the path to entrepreneurship is a courageous choice. Knowing what risks are reasonable to you and applying the fundamental principles give the confidence needed to pursue the dream of building and growing your business.