Get All Access for $5/mo

Entrepreneurs Are Not Born, They're Made A path must first be envisioned before anything else and later lay out goals to set out and to make it a reality

By Shiraz Khan

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock.com

It is in the nature of every society to invigorate massive conformity. This can be ideal for some, whereas existing and future entrepreneurs prefer a different cup of tea. The parameters and criteria laid down by the society can become caging in terms of attaining success. It thus becomes vital to break free from the clutter to embark on the quest of difference. Entrepreneurs belong to the exclusive group of individuals who liberate themselves from the crowd by opening the first doors to leave their claustrophobic paths.

The word entrepreneur is borrowed from the French word "entreprendre' meaning – to undertake. It shares similarities with a word from home; the Sanskrit word Antha Prerna which means "self-motivated'. Some scholars from the 17th and 18th century even termed it "a risk-taker'. The essence is that it is crucial to take the leap of faith if one wants to pursue entrepreneurship. Calculated risks that are backed with responsibility and self-motivation are key to the success of an entrepreneur. People are not born entrepreneurs, they become entrepreneurs.

Vision

It all starts with the big picture. The mental picture of what an individual seeks to accomplish over a period of time. A path must first be envisioned before anything else and later lay out goals to set out and to make it a reality. A positive outlook ought to be constant regardless of the chains that hold us back. The unwavering focus like that of a falcon must be exemplified to stay true to the vision despite the highs and lows.

Inclusiveness

The gravest mistake an entrepreneur can make is to devalue the contributions of employees. Valuing the inputs and efforts while churning the best out of available resources is the mark of a great entrepreneur. Adopting an inclusive approach in the decision-making process is bound to keep them a few steps ahead. Consulting people while encouraging independent thinking creates a mutual understanding that can constantly develop a venture's relevancy. It is a critical game changer that fastens the ladder's ascent. A sense of common ground allows proactive employees at the venture's disposal where they are not merely considered resources to get the work done, rather creators of powerful synergy. This cooperation edges closer to the reality of the shared vision.

Innovation

The need to innovate and eliminate the box entirely rather than merely thinking outside it has become the norm for successful entrepreneurs. The truth of the day is that the demanding world is seldom satisfied dwindling the lifespan of the term "state of the art' substantially. There must be innovation in terms of marketing, user experience, technology, designs and strategies among others to meet the growing demands of the people. Thus, constant creativity is the need of the hour rather than resting on our laurels.

Adaptation

Although the thought of consistency may be strenuous for some, the importance that it holds is paramount. While keeping up with a fast-paced world, the learning process must never cease. A constant renewal of knowledge and skills must not simply be required, but rather demanded from within to reverberate to employees. "Rest in peace' is reserved for the wonderful world.

Finally, it is equally important to pause from time to time to catch our breaths. We require the time to let everything sink in and recuperate to derive further continuity in appetite and virtuosity.

"Never give in - never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." - Winston Churchill

Shiraz Khan

Founder Director of Spicetree Design Agency

Shiraz formed the venture on 6th June 2004; prior to this, he was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at a software developing company. He coordinated sales and marketing strategies from the turn of the millennium to 2004. Inspired by the perspective to beckon growth not just for himself but for all that associated with him, he embarked on a journey of his own. Shiraz conceived the brand – SDA and he plays a big role in making the brand successful. What started off as humble beginnings are now two lavish offices in the heart of Mumbai’s suburbs! SDA has today reached a point where their decade long clientele consult Shiraz for his expert opinions before they undertake a project for expansion and launch of their new products and services.

Business News

Is One Company to Blame for Soaring Rental Prices in the U.S.?

The FBI recently raided a major corporate landlord while investigating a rent price-fixing scheme. Here's what we know.

Leadership

ITC's Marketing Wizard: Shuvadip Banerjee, Chief Digital Marketing Officer

The FMCG giant's successful campaign #MyFantasyAdWithSRK broke the Internet and in just a few weeks of launch had 10 lakh participants

News and Trends

Empowering MSMEs: Unlocking India's Trillion-Dollar Manufacturing Potential

By empowering MSMEs, India can realize its vision of a robust trillion-dollar manufacturing sector, fueling economic prosperity and sustainable development

News and Trends

Easing the stress with new-age health solutions

With rapid scaling and idea-making seen in the Indian eco-system, it is only speculated that the now-easily accessible healthcare systems will try to reach further depths of the country.

Side Hustle

This Former Starbucks Employee Started a Side Hustle That's Making More Than $70,000 a Month — and He's Not Done Yet

When Tom Saar moved to New York City, he spotted a lucrative business opportunity.

Business News

Microsoft Reportedly Lays Off Over 1,500 Employees in Cloud Sector as Partnership with OpenAI Strengthens

Alphabet also reportedly laid off employees from several teams in Google's cloud unit last week.