Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Here's What You Need To Know About Making The Shift From Being An Employee To Becoming An Entrepreneur There is no secret sauce to making your business work, but shifting your mindset to a more dynamic, constantly evolving, and growth one can make all the difference.

By Neeti Tandon Kashyap

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

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

Shutterstock

If not now, then when? To take a leap into the unknown from a hitherto safe place takes a whole lot of courage, as well as a paradigm shift in mindset.

I would know, because I have worked on both sides of the equation, and I have since learnt the need to think differently from everything I knew before.

A business owner's mindset is a powerful tool that can make or break the business, and it is not something you learn at school or on the job. I could either survive with my employee mindset, or thrive with an entrepreneurial one.

I decided to surround myself with thought leaders, other business owners, mentors, and coaches, as I saw how their minds worked completely differently from mine, and I wanted to learn from their experiences.

The shift from being an employee to a business owner requires you to challenge everything you knew before, assess risks, and embrace them anyways. From working in the business, you need to switch to working on the business. From working hard for your money, you must switch to strategizing how to make money work for you.

One of the most important shifts to make is to think long-term. As an employee you are used to focusing on the task on hand, and meeting your key performance indicators for that quarter or year. As a business owner, you must think about the long-term success and growth of the company. This means identifying future opportunities, assessing potential risks, and making decisions that will benefit the company in the long run.

Another significant change is you must learn to live with uncertainty. This means being creative and open to new ideas and opportunities, and taking risks in the face of uncertainty. As an entrepreneur, you will be faced with many unknowns, and you will be required to think quick and act fast.

You will also need to shift your focus from working on tasks, to working on the business. As an employee, you work on specific tasks and areas of work, but as a business owner, you need to focus on the bigger picture, and the overall success of the business. This means thinking about sales, marketing, finance, and other aspects of the business that are essential for success.

A business owner needs to be more disciplined and accountable than an employee. Owning a business means you are responsible for the financial success and health of the company, and you need to make sure you are keeping a close eye on the finances. You are accountable to your employees and customers, and you need to make sure you have the best interests of both.

You also need to shift your mindset from being an individual contributor to being a leader. As a business owner, you are responsible for the success of your employees, and for setting the direction for the company. This requires the ability to make difficult decisions all the time, without the assurance of a safety net.

At the end of the day though, there is no secret sauce to making your business work- but shifting your mindset to a more dynamic, constantly evolving, and growth one can make all the difference.

Related: Startup Spotlight: UAE-Based Lisan's AI-Powered Proofreading Platform Guarantees Error-Free Arabic Writing

Neeti Tandon Kashyap is the founder of Curate Executive Search and Curate Home, two companies that have made their mark in the business and lifestyle industries.

Based in Dubai, Neeti has established herself as an independent business owner in the region's community. Neeti completed her undergraduate studies in economics from the University of Delhi, India, and later pursued a postgraduate diploma in business operations and design from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, India. After gaining hands-on experience in the textile and apparel manufacturing sector, Neeti decided to embark on an entrepreneurial journey, which led to the creation of Curate Executive Search and Curate Home.

Curate Executive Search is a recruitment agency that specializes in sourcing talent for companies in the region. Under Neeti's leadership, the company has established itself as a reliable and efficient recruitment partner for some of the leading brands in the industry across sectors and verticals. The company has offices in Dubai and has been recognized for its exceptional service by industry insiders and clients alike.

Curate Home is another venture founded by Neeti that offers artisanal home décor for retail and the design and hospitality sector. The company collaborates with top-tier interior designers and brands to provide sustainable, high-quality furnishings, accessories, and bespoke services to clients who seek an exclusive and unique lifestyle where each product tells a story.

Apart from her professional achievements, Neeti is also actively involved in various initiatives to support artisans and craftspeople. She has supported organizations that work towards providing education and empowering women in India and the Middle East. Neeti hopes to inspire and motivate others to pursue their dreams, and make a positive impact in the world.

Starting a Business

The Scientific Method for Entrepreneurs: 6 Steps to Long-Term Success

Here's how to use the scientific method to achieve success as an entrepreneur.

Business News

Chipotle Introduces a New AI Recruiter Named 'Ava Cado' to Dramatically Reduce Hiring Time

Chipotle is testing out the technology at more than 3,500 restaurants.

Buying / Investing in Business

I Was a Founder Before I Became an Investor — Here's How It Shaped My Investment Strategy

Former founders are reshaping venture capital and startup consulting, offering unique operational insights and hands-on support. This shift towards founder-led investment and mentorship is creating a more supportive ecosystem for early-stage entrepreneurs.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Couple Celebrating Anniversary Finds 1.90-Carat Brown Diamond. But How Much Is It Actually Worth?

Jessica and Seth Erickson of Chatfield, Minnesota learned how to properly sift for treasure that morning — then discovered the gem an hour later.

Leadership

7 Founders Share Their Worst Boss Horror Stories, and What They Learned From the Lunatics

These entrepreneurs lived through bad boss nightmares, but they got the upper hand in the end.