Sometimes I get asked, what drives me as an entrepreneur. Why am I so passionate about businesses?

There are many things that drive my entrepreneurial spirit. It’s my values, my personality, and of course, my experiences. 

But most of all is my experiences as a kid.

Wanna know more?

What Drives Me As An Entrepreneur

Photo by Philipp Birmes from Pexels

My Values

I’ve already discussed what entrepreneurship means for me. An entrepreneur is not someone who just runs a business or owns a store. It’s something more.

I enjoy taking risks, not great ones (still working on this part), but still, I take risks all the time.

I like to experiment, to solve problems, and provide solutions.

I enjoy learning and reading.

I want to provide value to society and contribute.

I am a listener, patient, and I like to help.

I enjoy getting results for my customers and clients that’s why I am focused on them.

I always try to improve and innovate.

I would not be able to work for others. I tried it and I failed miserably.

All these beliefs drive my entrepreneurial spirit but my experiences as a kid played a bigger role.

My Childhood

I remember my parents fighting day and night to grow their clothing business. From a small knitting workshop to a mini-plant to a big factory employing over 50 people.

I remember discussing businesses with my father as he was driving in between the radio news and the commercials. He was explaining everything and I was eager to learn more and more, so I kept on asking questions. That’s what kids are great for anyway!

At a very young age, I had the chance to visit factories, production lines, managers, directors, and employees.

We were visiting suppliers, partners, agencies, labs, and offices. He was discussing and I was listening, absorbing information and I was fascinated.

I remember his stories of how he got started at the age of 10, forced to bring in money for his poor family selling stuff in the flea markets.

I remember my father’s brothers who had their own small businesses.

I remember my mom sharing incredible stories of her childhood and how she got started as an employee at a giant manufacturing company. And what happened when she was eager to learn more and her supervisor fired her because of her ambitions.

I remember my grandfather, father of my father who was a toy store owner in a small village.

I remember photographs of my other grandfather, father of my mother, who was a coal trader downtown, and he, unfortunately, passed away at the age of 45, due to his working environment. I was only 11 months old at that time.

I remember an uncle who was manufacturing sports clothes and uniforms.

I remember friends and partners of my parents who had their own businesses.

This list goes on and on, this was my circle, my environment as a kid.

The Main Drive

Although these experiences marked my life and shaped my personality, it was due to another unique experience I had that I realized I wanted to become an entrepreneur, once and for all.

My Childhood Friend

I had a very close friend when I was 8 years old. We had been best friends for let’s say a decade. Since then, we are still friends but life got in the way and we don’t see each other that much.

We were in the same classroom and we were friends outside school as well.

We were discussing everything. Toys, games, school, life.

And we were growing up together.

As we were maturing our discussions became more interesting and longer.

Why humans exist?

Is the moon real?

What’s the meaning of life?

The “Epiphany” Moment

And then, one day, we were discussing what we want to become when we finally become adults. It was in high-school.

Walking in the woods, we were analyzing jobs and professions.

What we like, what we don’t like, and we agreed on everything.

I remember him saying he does not want to be forced what to do by any means. He would rather enjoy working on his own and failing than making other people rich.

I want my schedule, my choices, my freedom, he said enthusiastically.

This is when I envisioned myself as an entrepreneur. A costume, a tie, a bag.

It was the way he expressed his feelings, his excitement and the look in his eyes.

It was a beautiful scene and I always remember it from time to time.

I can’t remember the details but the overall feeling.

I already wanted to become an entrepreneur but it was this moment that cleared away any objections. It was the first time I discussed it with someone, and this moment made me realize my purpose and my future. 

We promised ourselves that we won’t change no matter what.

Final Thoughts

Now, after 30 or so years, we are both still doing what we love. We kept our promise to ourselves.

But there is more to my story. This was the first epiphany moment I had but there is another one that happened not so long ago. And it was absolutely critical for my career. It changed everything.

I’ll be revealing that moment too, very soon!

That’s it, another article has finished, here on Web Market Support. I am waiting for your comments and thoughts. Till next time.