No matter where you are in your business, you will meet "naysayers." Those who are negative about your endeavors. It can be discouraging. It can come from family members and friends which can be especially discouraging. The reason that you may be discouraged is that no one prepared you for the negativity. These are people close to you, crapping all over your dreams. First, do not get mad at them. Do not burn bridges. They are in "watch and see mode." When you are successful, they will tell others that they taught you everything that you know. Laugh it off. They are your future clients. So what can you do to stay optimistic?
Managing Expectations - Reality Check
First, I understand the excitement of something new. If you knew how many new enterprises I launched over the last 4 years, you would be amazed. It is important to understand that growing a business takes an investment of time. But you can do well over time by learning, growing and developing your products and services. Think of it as a 5 to 7 year plan and if you get lucky and you become an overnight success, that's awesome. Just plan a little further out.
Surround Yourself
When you meet other entrepreneurs and business owners, you get to learn from each other. You can learn methods that may help solve some of the issues that you have. You get to celebrate wins with each other. That is part of what PugetSoundVeteranBusiness.com is about and why we have our groups and pages. The Puget Sound is rich with other business groups that can help as well. I encourage you to join a local Chamber of Commerce in your city to start. Make that investment. This is all part of networking. The largest and most effective group outside of Chambers that I have been introduced to is called IGNITE-U. It meets on Tuesdays from 11:30-1pm and Fridays from 7:30-9am every week at the
Great American Casino in Lakewood off I5 and Hwy 512. If you are a business owner and show up for your first time on a Friday, you get a free breakfast just for visiting. I call it my Friday morning party. You will understand what I mean when you go and I walk out excited every time. Over 450+ business owners belong to the group. Tell them "Ranger Dave" sent ya.
There are other groups in Thurston County that can help you connect to others with the same mission of entrepreneurship. Let me know if you would like more. You are not alone.