Here goes the story of Johns, an illiterate who eked out a living as a sacristan (assistant) at a church. He spent his days by cleaning the church and doing menial works. While things were going fairly well, the new vicar of the Church arrived. Much to the chagrin of Johns, he wanted to replace Johns with someone who can read and write. Johns was in total distress. As there was no other option to live he started a petty shop in front of the church. Gradually, the business picked up steam and he started to take up small contract works. Within a few years his business spectrum started to widen and he became a known builder. His rags to riches story made him a celebrity.
One day a college student requested John’s autograph. But, the businessman could only deny the request humbly stating that ‘I don’t know how to write.’ The student was shocked with Johns’ answer and he asked ‘If you could be a highly successful without any formal education what you could have become if you had studied?’ The answer came with a smile, ‘a sacristan at a church’.
Whether entrepreneurs need some qualifications? Just look around and observe. Educated, uneducated, illiterates, differently-able, those who don’t even know the basics of internet…the
list goes on. Many successful businessmen hardly had any of the qualifications which we consider inevitable for success. Then what are the qualifications required for an entrepreneur? What makes one an entrepreneur and successful? Is entrepreneurship a possibility confined to highly-educated and those with novel ideas? Business is risky. In each step there will be challenges. So, it is better to opt for a job which will ensure financial security. This clichéd advice, used to be given by elders to the younger generation, indicates the general mindset of Kerala society. It’s high time to change this negative attitude towards entrepreneurship. Considering business as risky affair is pouring cold water on the dreams of many potential entrepreneurs.
In fact risk is not exclusive for business. Almost all jobs have risks associated with it. However, some people consider these risks as steps to climb up the ladder. The truth is that one can’t be evasive of the risks inherent to respective profession, business or job. By appropriate identification and planning, an entrepreneur can overcome any sort of risk. As there is no path which is completely devoid of any risk why should a potential entrepreneur shun his/her dream? Business is for the brave. While cowards scout for a secure place, business person, with clear calculations, roam around in search of untapped opportunities. In short a businessman should be like a daring lion. So the first thing that an entrepreneur should do is convincing oneself that she/he is not a coward but a brave fighter. Self confidence and bravery are the two inevitable qualifications for an entrepreneur. If an entrepreneur lacks these two things, educational qualifications and work experience hardly matters. The confidence to face and overcome failures is an entrepreneur’s real asset. Failures are part and parcel of business life.
But the real failure starts only when the entrepreneur starts to consider such failures as dead ends. Can you tackle failures with smile and maturity? Success will follow you. Once you choose entrepreneurship as the desired path, the only step in front is walking ahead with courage.
Here is another story of a businessman who went into bankruptcy. In total dismay, the businessman was sitting in a park thinking to commit suicide. A stranger who noticed him for a while came closer and initiated a friendly talk. The businessman shared his story with the stranger. After hearing the entire story, the stranger opened his briefcase and took out a cheque leaf to sign before handing over to the businessman. The latter was taken aback. The person who was a total stranger for him a few moments ago is giving him $10 mn. It is more than enough to pay all his debts and start a new business. But the real shock was when he saw the name of the person who handed over the cheque. It read Rockefeller-the richest person in the world at that time. And the person said,’ We can meet at the same place same day next year. You have to return the money then.’
The businessman came back to his home and kept the cheque in his safe. From whomever he had borrowed money, he requested for extensions to clear the debts. In the meantime, he inked new pacts to procure more raw materials. He also started to take advances from his old customers. Gradually, the business became to gain its lost glory.
Sun circumnavigated earth one more time. The date on which Rockefeller asked him to return the money arrived. Carrying the check, the businessman sat on the same bench at the park. The man saw Rockefeller- the richest person in the world- at the entrance of the park. Suddenly two security people came from somewhere and catch hold of Rockefeller. The businessman rushed to the spot and tried to interfere. To his surprise the security men said, ‘He is mentally ill. He has been claiming that he is Rockefeller.’ ‘What ? Was it a valueless cheque given by a mentally-ill person that gave me the confidence to revive my lost business,’ the businessman asked to himself. That was a moment of realisation for him. He learnt how important confidence is in life.
The first responsibility of a businessman is awakening the courageous and confident persons inside oneself. The maturity to accept that an entrepreneur’s path is difficult and that one can overcome that with self-confidence will lead the entrepreneur to success. Don’t underestimate the value of blank cheque in mind. Once you realise its value, nothing will stop you.
An entrepreneur should have a dream and there should be the courage and confidence to go to any extent to make that dream come true. In fact these are the seeds to become a world renowned entrepreneur.
This world is for the brave. More specifically for the brave entrepreneurs like you.