Entrepreneurs Need Heros, Too.
I am an herbalist (and acupuncturist) first. But I am also an entrepreneur. It is not easy to start or run a business all by yourself. Most of the time it requires a little support from others (sometimes a LOT of support from others!). When it comes to staying motivated and keeping the drive to move forward alive, the greatest support can come from the words of the entrepreneurs who tread this road before you did. My entrepreneurial hero is Yvon Chouinard (founder of Black Diamond Equipment and Patagonia). In addition to his remarkable environmental efforts, he is an inspiration to me as a business owner. Here are 3 of my favorite quotes from Yvon Chouinard:
Yvon Chouinard
“Yeah, I think entrepreneurs are like juvenile delinquents who say, ‘This sucks. I’ll do it my own way.’ I’m an innovator because I see things and think I can make it better. So I try it. That’s what entrepreneurs do.”
“We make mistakes all the time, but they’re small mistakes. My way of learning anything – like kayaking or climbing – is that I immediately take a first step, and if it feels good, I take another one; if it feels bad, I step back. I’m not Evel Knievel. I make small bets that make it easier and safer later.”
When asked why he turned down a fellowship to teach a class in business philosophy at Yale he replied: “There’s no surfing in New Haven.”
Whether you share similar beliefs about saving our environment or you are also an entrepreneur or you wear Patagonia clothing or you just like fascinating people, read more about Chouinard in the latest interview from Entrepreneur Magazine at http://www.entrepreneur.com/magazine/entrepreneur/2010/june/206536.html
Publish Date: May 28, 2010 *Articles may include updates since original publishing.
