From Idea to Icon — The 2 Keys You Need to Unlock Sustained Success and Influence as an Entrepreneur Ready to make a lasting impact and build a thriving business? Discover the must-have priorities and traits to set you on the path to success.
By Stacey Ross Cohen Edited by Chelsea Brown
Key Takeaways
- A relentless entrepreneurial drive and strong personal brand are the keys to unlocking sustained growth and influence.
- In this article, I discuss the components you need to prioritize in order to build a strong personal brand and highlight the essential traits that entrepreneurs need to succeed.
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What separates the one-hit wonders from the sustained successes? Whether in business, art, philanthropy or any other realm, there are two critical components that always make the difference: a compelling personal brand and a tenacious entrepreneurial spirit.
Cultivating a personal brand and entrepreneurial spirit is easier said than done, however. Each one requires care, attention and detail. Let's explore the necessary priorities and traits.
Related: 4 Ways I Grew My Business From Startup to 17 Years of Sustained Success
Personal brand priorities
As you craft your personal brand, take care to prioritize these five components. Each one is powerful by itself — and together, they create a whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Relationships over revenues: To achieve sustained success, it can never just be about the bottom line. It must also be about the people who trust you with their business. A successful brand asks its customers, "How can we help?" not "What will you buy?" People make decisions based on trust and emotional connection, especially when it comes to socially conscious millennials and Gen Z consumers who seek out purpose-driven brands.
Be genuine: People don't connect with companies; they connect with people. Share the stories that make you and your team who you are. Prioritize personality over perfection: Own your mistakes and speak to your audience like a friend, not a sales pitch. When you're real, your audience will be, too.
Let others speak for you: Few things are as persuasive as a genuine third-party endorsement. And in our connected world, they're easier than ever for consumers to find: Approximately 95% of customers read online reviews before making a purchase. Gather social proof like testimonials, reviews, ratings, follower counts and subscribers, and then showcase them on your website and social media. These powerful validators build trust and credibility for your brand.
Stay relevant: Create high-value content for your audience rather than content for content's sake. Whether it's a blog post, podcast or video, ask yourself: "Does this pass the 'Who cares?' test?" Every piece of content — from a short tweet to a 1,000-word article — should be engaging, informative, and shareable. Add value, not clutter.
Invest in education: It's never too late to pick up new skills. Take advantage of courses, workshops and other resources that can help you to stay ahead of the curve — and the competition. Platforms like Udemy and HubSpot Academy offer courses and certificates on business growth, sales, digital marketing and even podcasting.
Related: 8 Reasons a Powerful Personal Brand Will Make You Successful
Essential entrepreneurial traits
Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle, a mindset and a relentless pursuit of something greater. Let's unpack the key traits that make this possible.
Grit: Perseverance and determination to see ideas through is essential. It's about pushing through setbacks and staying focused on the summit, no matter how steep the climb.
Purpose: Always have the answer to "why?" guide your decisions, big or small. Those with a clear purpose are intentional about what they choose to focus on, ensuring every action aligns with their core values and goals.
Risk-taking: The ability to stretch out of your comfort zone and confront challenges head-on is a must. The greatest successes often come from those bold enough to venture into the unknown.
Passion: Entrepreneurs have a burning desire to turn an idea into reality. Without passion, even the best-laid plans fall flat. Entrepreneurs inspire others to believe in their vision, making it easier to rally a team, customers and investors behind them.
Flexibility: The ability to adapt, pivot and evolve in response to market trends and feedback is what keeps businesses relevant. Entrepreneurs always go with the flow.
Creativity: Creativity is about finding solutions that others overlook and maintaining a constant state of curiosity.
Extroversion: Building and nurturing relationships is at the core of business success. These connections can open doors that skills and talent alone cannot. Relationships are the currency of the entrepreneurial world.
Resourcefulness: The ability to optimize your resources and do more with less is key. Great entrepreneurs know how to stretch a dollar and turn a shoestring budget into a golden opportunity.
Positivity: A growth mindset is not a luxury; it's a requirement for navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Positivity allows you to see obstacles as learning moments and to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Positivity isn't about ignoring the downsides but about seeing the possibilities beyond them.
Related: 10 Traits All Successful Entrepreneurs Share
Your personal brand and entrepreneurial traits can be true game-changers — the engine that transforms ideas into icons. When you mix authenticity, grit and purpose with creativity and a touch of optimism, you're not just creating a business; you're crafting a legacy. Now, go ahead and make your mark.
