Entrepreneurs
6 Common Stages You Will Go Through When Becoming An Entrepreneur
Have you crossed that bridge yet? The one where you walk over to the entrepreneurial side (we’ve got cookies!)?
Or are you still looking at the wobbliness of the bridge itself? And at how crazy wild that river below is…And at all the alligators there waiting to get you…And you are still not risking it even though you can see the unicorns prance in fields of 4-leaved clovers and double rainbows stretch as far as the eye can see on the other side?
Ai, that sucks! But…it’s perfectly normal to be afraid of that giant step!
In fact, there are 6 stages that most people taking the leap from a steady job to entrepreneurialism go through:
Stage 1: Where you experience a nagging, gnawing knowing of something you’d rather didn’t
This is what happened to me; I was building the career I had always set out for myself. A career that included regular promotions, valuable lessons, great peers to work with and the accompanying great pay and car.
But, I also felt like I was continuously fighting political windmills and had to drag myself to work everyday even though on the outside everything looked just fine and dandy.
That’s when it started to dawn on me that this type of career was making me unhappy. But as it was all I knew and had ever wanted, I didn’t do anything about it for a long time and ended up (almost) burning myself out.
“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore” – William Faulkner
Stage 2: Where you’re afraid of the void
But this was my life. This was all built on the studies I had done. This was what my friends were doing. What was the alternative?
Slowly it came to me that freelancing might give me the freedom I so longed for (I know, not ‘proper’ entrepreneuring perhaps but still…big change!). But instead of already smelling the freedom, all I saw was a big black whole of nothingness (mainly money) coming up ahead and all I felt was a big swirling fear in my stomach.
Stage 3: Where you come up with a million excuses to NOT do it
Even though rationally I knew I could do this, and even though I really really wanted to do this, I still had a ton of reasons why this was such a bad idea:
- I believed that deep down I wasn’t good at my job (hellooo impostor syndrome!).
- I believed that because I have a non-traditional way of looking at a business, no company would ever want to hire me.
- I believed that I had to do traditional sales stuff to get myself hired and I was totally allergic to that!
Belief systems…sigh…so useless!
“The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer” – Nolan Bushnell
Stage 4: When it becomes undeniably clear that things need to change
So after a terribly long stint of being unhappy in my work, and therefore my life, I was ‘lucky’ enough to fall into a corporate reorganisation and that management had decided something that went way beyond what I felt was acceptable.
Through this, I finally got to that point where I could say to myself: NO MORE!
Ah, how liberating it felt to say NO to that what I didn’t think was acceptable.
Really, without that, I couldn’t have done it and finding my ‘NO’ is still pretty much the foundation from which I work and live.
Because when your NO is clear…everything else simply becomes opportunity!
Stage 5: Where you can finally see the puzzle pieces come together
It was a good friend and mentor of mine who helped me figure this out. I was complaining on how I would definitely go bankrupt and this was his reply:
Him: “Imagine a worst case scenario where you go bankrupt and have to give all your possessions to the bank: would that kill you?”
Me: “No, it’s all Ikea, Zara and thrifted anyway…”
Him: “Okay, so in that scenario, would you be able to walk the 20 kilometres from your place to mine?”
Me: “Sure!”
Him: “Would you be willing to work in my restaurant whilst sleeping on your brothers couch?”
Me: “Of course”
Him: “And will you then be able to save money for a ticket to Indonesia where you could probably find a diveschool where you could work as a divemaster (I love Indonesia and diving obviously) and business coach for food and lodgings?”
Me: “Euhm…well…probably…”
Him: “So if that’s your very worst case scenario…what are you complaining about?”
Me: “Euhm…nothing??? Damn…”

Stage 6: Where you take the plunge and start attracting opportunity
So I quit!
Two weeks later I had an amazingly well paid freelance job that gave me the financial opportunity to help my brother build his start up for 2 years AND still have enough resources to take another plunge for myself with my own business.
Now whether I got lucky or whether it was just the universe lining up exactly what I deserved for choosing myself (btw, definitely check out James Altuchers’ book on this!), I don’t know. And it doesn’t even matter!
I can only tell you that it felt really good to be there for myself. Still does!
And no, it’s not all unicorns and rainbows on the entrepreneurial side.
But it is freedom…
And passion…
And a rollercoaster ride that continues to keep me smiling…
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” – Franklin D. Roosevelt
So if you feel like you’re on that edge and that that first step is just too big remember that this is normal.
You can take all the time you need to go through your own stages, but, don’t lose that vision of where you want to go.
Also remember do not ever accept the unacceptable.
Your happiness depends on it!
Business
The Entrepreneur’s Reading List That Transforms Ideas Into Empires
These must-read titles and writing insights reveal how entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into empire-level success.

Entrepreneurship is powered by stories—of accomplishment, failure, and decision moments that define businesses. Books are maps, providing insight from individuals who’ve traversed the road ahead. (more…)
Entrepreneurs
The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025
Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”
While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.
Why This Gap Exists
Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.
What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.
Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap
Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.
1. Practice Mutual Empathy
Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.
2. Maintain Professional Boundaries
Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.
3. Follow the Golden Rule
Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.
4. Avoid Micromanagement
Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.
5. Empower Employees to Grow
Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.
6. Communicate in All Directions
Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.
7. Overcome Insecurities
Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.
8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship
True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.
9. Eliminate Favoritism
Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.
10. Recognize Efforts Promptly
Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.
11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews
When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.
12. Provide Leadership Development
Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.
13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles
Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.
The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role
Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:
-
Build diverse talent pipelines
-
Embrace flexible work models
-
Design compelling career paths
-
Simplify HR processes
-
Redefine the value HR brings
The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.
Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff
When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.
Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.
Entrepreneurs
What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators
Inside the mindset of entrepreneurial leaders who transform risk, passion, and vision into world-changing results.

When you think of Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Rupert Murdoch (News Corporation), and Ted Turner (CNN), one thing becomes clear: they are not just entrepreneurs, they are entrepreneurial leaders. (more…)
Entrepreneurs
Building a Business Empire: Lessons from the World’s Boldest Entrepreneurs
Learn essential lessons, success strategies, and mindset shifts every aspiring entrepreneur needs to overcome challenges and build a thriving business.

Back in July 2017, I attended a business seminar on entrepreneurship in India. With my appetite for learning and meeting new people, I wanted to explore the latest developments in the entrepreneurial world. (more…)
-
Entrepreneurs4 weeks ago
What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators
-
Entrepreneurs3 weeks ago
The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025
-
Change Your Mindset3 weeks ago
7 Goal-Setting Mistakes That Are Secretly Sabotaging Your Success
-
Success Advice2 weeks ago
What Every New CEO Must Do in Their First 100 Days (or Risk Failure)
-
Success Advice2 weeks ago
Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Will Always Fail (and What Works Instead)
-
Business2 weeks ago
The Entrepreneur’s Reading List That Transforms Ideas Into Empires
-
Business1 week ago
What Every Fitness Business Owner Needs To Know About Relocating Their Gym
-
Personal Development5 days ago
These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
31 Comments