Many thanks to the very kind folks who sat through my EntreForum presentation last night at Bryerpatch Studios. I had a great time doing it, and I hope folks got a little something out of it. As I said in the beginning, I really feel more like a
mentee than a
mentor. Nikki and I started
iList Paducah just a year and a half ago, an we still have so much to do and learn.
I did, however, come up with a slide of 10 things that I think are true for every entrepreneur — or at least they are for us.
The iList Paducah Top 10 List of Things We’re Learning:• It's really fun to do something you like to do.
• Don't jump into anything too quickly that will tie you down.
• It will take 1,000,000 times longer to do stuff than you think it will.
• You'll have to do things you never thought you’d ever have to do. Ever.
• You’ll work harder than you’ve ever worked. Ever.
• You must have partners and evangelists.
• You must have your business systems in place. Not necessarily now, but soon.
• You must have your business plan in place. Not necessarily now, but soon.
• It will put a strain on your family life and your health. So rest up.
• You must be patient with yourself. And everyone else.
• You must celebrate often, and involve your partners and evangelists in your celebrations!
So there you go. Actually, that's 11, not 10. But, you know, you always wanna deliver a little more than you promise. Oh, wow, there's 12!
The next EntreForum features CSI Founder John Williams, who knows
way more stuff than I do. It's set for 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the CSI headquarters. It's free and open to anyone interested in starting or expanding a business. So come check it out — lots of great folks are involved. For more info, email
Stacy Thomas at the Chamber!
