How do I cope with being viewed as ignorant as an entrepreneur?
As a first time entrepreneur, how do I cope with people's first reaction that I am 'ignorant' when discussing my plans to start my own venture.
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Nov 24, 2016
Nobody knows everything so we are all ignorant in some respect. Just make sure that you are not ignorant on the busienss you will be starting or product you are developing, nobody will know it better than you. You can learn the basics, finances etc I will even recommend you a book, just search for disciplined entrepreneurship. I have mentored many startups thorugh this process.Do your homework and all will be fine.
IF you have got a viable business you will know. If other people cant see that then sometimes that is an advantage. Keep working at it and dont think or yourself as ignorant. We all learnt to walk by falling down a few times!
Nov 21, 2016
It's better to be an ignorant entrepreneur than an intelligent employee...
We are all ignorant, since none of us know everything about everything.
Whatever you lack knowledge in read a book, take a class. If your business is successful, maybe being "ignorant" is part of the formula.
Intelligence is over rated. Many people will not achieve anything in life because they are analyzing themselves out of accomplishment.
It takes courage to create. Stop creating doubt and go for it!
Nov 11, 2016
Hi All
I am Also an entrepreneur and never hesitate to tell anyone that I started a startup. In the beginning you need the power to face some of the arrogance from the people because they also face that arrogance in there starting Phase.
Its up to you how you tackle the differences on your own.
Jun 10, 2015
Frankly, you should first learn to cope with your self-deflating thoughts. You have an idea, you are convinced it will work, you know your path - that's all that is needed. It really doesn't matter what others perceive you as. After all, you are starting off on a wonderful journey to make money and do some satisfying work. I am pretty much sure you are not doing this business just to be called an "Entrepreneur". Kick out this thought and turn into an optimist.
Jun 24, 2015
Wow!! Thank you so much Kunal :) Yes, you are right. I should avoid my self-deflating thoughts.
Jun 1, 2015
You got fantastic responses, and I loved what Ellen Harris told you...you are talking to the wrong people or when you're talking you are wasting your time with them. Those who has never started a business have no idea of what an entrepreneur mind has, embrace and is passionate about. Reach the right people, and you really have to find those people, connect and network with an intention - the main one to keep yourself enthusiastic. When you are not making any money yet it's hard to prove somehow. That's clear...but so make it use of what youi can really take advantage of. Be humble and absorb as much as you can, share with other what you learned because most of the time professional respect follows.
Take care.
Jun 2, 2015
You are true Sol Gonzalez :) I'm actually delighted to see so many responses for my question. No words to say but, I must thank each and everyone who have expressed their views here.
May 28, 2015
You are ignorant. "Ignorant" means simply "not knowing"; does NOT mean "stupid".
You can't possibly know all you need to know to start a business. No entrepreneur ever has known enough at the outset of a new business venture. I've started maybe 30 ventures in my life, am starting another right now, and am almost totally ignorant about how to do it.
What's important is that you have the guts to do something that these "friends" undoubtedly lack. Ignore them, and gradually get rid of them.
May 29, 2015
Thank you for your kind words Tom. I totally agree. All the very best for your future endeavors :)
May 28, 2015
Maybe you don't care, depending on who reacts that way. If it is business prospects, you have a marketing and branding problem. If it is friends, colleagues, and/or relatives, I would ignore them and prove them wrong.
The truth of the matter is that 95% of business owners are weak in at least one key area of business ownership. The only true ignorant entrepreneur business owners are the ones who THINK they know it all. It has been proven that one of the biggest reasons for business failure is that either the owner did not recognize they had weaknesses, or they knew they did but didn't do anything about it.
May 28, 2015
Be open and honest about your strengths and your weaknesses. Everyone starts someplace - admitting what you need is the best way to find people who can help fill those needs and round out your team for whatever enterprise you're engaged in.
The best way to combat ignorance is educating yourself - reach out to startup groups and people who've been there. Many entrepreneurs are more than happy to lend advice and save someone from making the mistakes they encountered (leaving you free to find whole new mistakes to make along the way."
May 27, 2015
It's all about doing your homework. Knowing as much as you can about all of the issues and challenges related to the business you're launching is critically important. Why should anyone else feel confident about your potential if you can't demonstrate that you have prepared yourself for the undertaking?
May 27, 2015
It's preserve that what cause frictions and ignorant always float to the surface because the entrepreneur can't adjust to new challenges that comes along.
May 26, 2015
There is no such thing. If you worked hard on your business plan and know that u have a shot out there, you have nothing to fear.
1- some people want to protect you from fail (the ones who care about you)
2- some can be reeeeealy jelous
3- some just can't picture your field having success (their problem)
May 23, 2015
I would encourage you to look at areas in your life, other than business, where your interactions with others are less than stellar. It's possible that unresolved personal issues are surfacing during conversations with people you'd like to impress, making it difficult for you to form meaningful connections with others.
May 23, 2015
By "viewed," are you referring to how others view you, or how you view yourself? Be careful regarding how much credence you place in the views of others--don't be ruled by them. Their Perception need not be your Reality.
In virtually any undertaking, only rarely do starters not originate as rookies. Embrace being one. Acknowledging the lack of field experience is the problem you have identified, for which you seek solutions. In an Holistic Career Tool Kit are more items than the field experience--use these other tools to grow your business and develop your aforementioned low level of experience.
You have going for you academic experience, energy, and novelty. The first provides theoretical/hypothetical knowledge, at least some of which will factor into your building your business.
The others are part of your potential energy that needs to be set in motion--customer database/lead generation, implementation of processes to accommodate your organization, network development/sustenance, etc.
Remember that discussions are (at minimum) a two-way communication. As a seeker of experience, absorb the communications of others involved. And use the discussions as learning moments. Questions toward others involved in communications should result in answers that increase your knowledge (and subsequently, experience).
May 21, 2015
I am sure people thought some of our great inventors foolish and ignorant initially as well. As long as you seek the help you need and continue to hone your expertise, you should not be concerned what others think.
Often the naysayers are people who wish they had the commitment to go after the same themselves, and really your business will speak for itself if you have planned appropriately and went about your launch with the right tools.
If you are concerned about being viewed as ignorant and intend to be an entrepreneur, you will need to change your own mindset to see the experience and strengths you have and not become a victim of the opinion of others. Be confident about your expertise and knowing who to go to for additional direction.
Entrepreneurs have to learn to be their own leader and not allow the perceived notions of others to cause them to be redirected from their goal.
Focus on your strengths and seek assistance for areas where you know you may need help.
May 21, 2015
Pradeep.
The only known cure for ignorance is knowledge.
Each new project starts with certain assumptions. As you work thru your business idea, you are on a journey to determine the truth (if any) to those assumptions. Once you find what the "truth" is, you'll no longer be guessing/ignorant, you will be able to back up your assumptions with facts.
Find a business model for your idea that is based upon facts. Get the assistance you need to execute your idea and find customers who'll pay you for what you offer.
With these, you'll go from being called ignorant to being envied.
May 21, 2015
You may consider being viewed as ignorant by aligning your policies and procedures with best available technologies. it could even be as simple as courtesies, customer service and technology driven processes. These are trends modern organization follow to keep up with best available practices around the world. Your compliance to these will definitely pull you out of the realm of ignorance.
May 21, 2015
Worry less abut being ignorant -- asking questions and time will cure that -- but be smart. If you don't know how or what to do, find a knowledgeable expert and ask. With social media and the internet you can garner a lot of answers to review and absorb.
May 21, 2015
You are asking the wrong question. Your focus should be on "How can I be a successful entrepreneur - on my first time out?" And that starts with clarity of your own vision, mission and purpose. That starts with a clear and well-thought out business plan. Focus on the steps required to start a successful business - and everything else will work itself out. Place your attention and energy where it will do the most good.
score.org is a free resource for start-ups. They offer How-to Resources, Tools, Templates and even Mentors to help your small business succeed.
May 21, 2015
Here is one of my favourite quotes when running training courses: "Some people never learn anything because they understand everything too quickly.” (Alexander Pope). If you are "ignorant", embrace it and keep learning and researching. The more you learn, the more you will discover that you don't know.
May 20, 2015
Two things ; there are over seven billion people in the world, why would you let the opinion of one ruin your day. 2nd sometimes we need to learn the language of the people we seek. If you are seeking B2B learn the business language they speak.
I'm already on it Michael :) Thank you so much for your wonderful words!