3 Takeaways from Google’s ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs’ event

3 Takeaways from Google’s ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs’ event

Yesterday, I traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak on a panel at GoogleDC with other entrepreneurs under 30. I talked about how I quit my job and launched House of Success with no safety net, what a typical day at work is like and the many ups and downs that come with the territory of business ownership.

Google Inspiring Entrepreneurs Panel

What I love the most about doing panels and interactive roundtable events is getting to hear other people’s stories. It lets me know that I’m not alone and it reassures me that if you’re passionate enough about what you’re doing and you’re working your butt off, you’ll eventually succeed.

build or find a community of like-minded people

In many cases, entrepreneurship is a lonely pursuit. Your friends and family may not always understand what you’re doing or be able to support you in the way you need them to. So it’s important to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who you can confide in, brainstorm- or hang out with. Aside from preventing isolation, it also helps you keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in and around your industry.

That’s what was so great about this event. It was born out of a conversation a group of friends had about how and why they each launched their respective businesses and how much easier it would have been had they had other people to talk to and connect with when they were just getting started.

…guard your energy

As important as it is to surround yourself with like-minded people, it’s also extremely important to know when to pull back from the crowd and put yourself first. As an entre- or intrapreneur you wear many hats and are constantly being pulled in many directions at once. This constant tug-o-war with the universe can be draining and a huge distraction from your business goals. Stay focused on only what’s important.

…tell your story 

The more I talk about my passion for my business and why I launched it, I learn something new about myself. Who I am now and who I was then…the failures and triumphs and the growth in between always end up teaching me new lessons or reminding me of old ones.

Another reason to tell your story is because you never know who you’ll inspire. And, you never know who’s watching…

To read a full recap of the ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs’ event, click here and here.