Insights from my Entrepreneurial journey…

This month I complete 7 years as a full time Co-Founder of SBS Fin .My entrepreneurial journey has been a roller coaster ride and volatile like the Indian stock market. In my lows I go back to the day when I took this decision and why I took it.

Sharing insights from my Entrepreneurial journey…

1.Network Network Network-But for your NET to WORK for you, you need to invest in relationships and make deep connect. Transactional networking is short sightedness.

2.Surround yourself with Mentors from all walks of life. Have 15-20 mentors. Movie maker George Lucas said, “Mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults that we would like. It’s the only way we grow.” They will always be brutally honest with you and tell you exactly how it is rather than downplay any weaknesses they see in you.

I’ve had several mentors over the years and learned a large amount of valuable lessons from each and every one of them. From not making certain business decisions to fostering certain partnerships, a mentor can help guide you through your entrepreneurial journey.

3.Its okay to cut down the noises every now and then, so that you can listen to your heart and take decisions on your own. When I took the decision of taking full time plunge into my part time venture, my folks were upset. My dad went on to show his displeasure my saying that I had spoiled my career. SBS Fin would not have been today had I listened to my folks and not defied them.

People will always have an opinion. Remember it’s all about perspective.

4.Life and entrepreneurship can never be smooth sailing. Each day will bring different sets of challenges and learnings. Learn to embrace them and move upward and forward.

5.Focus on the journey and not the end result. When you see it as a journey, it becomes easier to travel even if the road is bumpy.

6.Financial Fitness will remain a dream if you are not physically and mentally fit. Work will always be a mix of highs and lows. Don’t waste your energy wallowing in lows. Build a solid support system and have a fulfilling life outside work. My Friends, Family and Comrades in faith are my support system.

7.Communicate and engage with everyone around you, make them feel special. Its basic human need to be loved and appreciated. People love me because of this one important quality of mine. I never forget to wish people on their Birthdays and when I wish people I genuinely wish them straight from my heart with all the excitement.

8.Celebrate everything big and small, stupid and endearing, just about everything. Its never a smooth sailing for an entrepreneur. Any celebration, big or small, is really about taking a beat to notice the good stuff in your life. It is also a reminder of our talents and abilities, skills and persistence. Drawing on those things can motivate us to keep moving forward.

9.Learn to say Sorry. Raw enthusiasm of an entrepreneur will ruffle a few feathers. Some may like it, some may not. Saying this with experience. My exuberance and excitement on small achievements are something which not many can relate to.

10.Be gentle and kind to yourself. In roller coaster journey of entrepreneurship there will be mistakes. It’s okay to make mistakes but not okay to not to learn from them. I have seen two laptop crashes, lost data and precious memories in terms of videos and photos, burnt holes buying an expensive printer and in turn learning valuable lessons for life in gadget buying.