I grew up around business. My grandpa was always in business, he and his brother since forever. (picture of them below, pre WW1, with some random dude).
My six uncles, most of whom were also all in business.
It’s a culture, mindset that’s a part of my life since I was young. This played a big role in me transitioning into being self-employed since I was in my early 20’s.
As natural as walking and rain.
My mom, and my aunts, would often state truths like: “It takes up to five years for a business to take hold and be successful.” Or “There are no friends in business.”
And similar. I had no idea what they meant, but I heard it. And eventually saw the wisdom.
I also know failure. My dad failed twice in business. Bankruptcy is a very unsettling and upsetting event in one’s life. It affected me to this day. Mostly in a good way.
I came to appreciate the value in learning from struggles. But mostly in taming any wild, outrageous or unrealistic expectations in business.
In other words, bootstrapping. Sitting around the kitchen table with a great idea and discussing it. Without too much delusion.
Trying to figure out if there is a market. And strategizing ways to test the waters with the barest of budgets.
You see, throwing a bunch of money at an idea is a common rookie mistake.
Trying to find the market by communicating with a simple, straight up message is the way. Often, amateurs think they’re doing something of value when they throw money at an idea. It’s a lie. A ruse.
I had a few ideas flowed into my little pea brain this year. Both ideas were natural extensions to my photography business, and in areas I had already had decades of experiences in.
But both ideas were nothing more than theory, nice sounding ideas and in many ways, new, untested and uncharted territories.
I always get stressed out when exploring new ideas. The struggle is real. The fear lives in me.
Do I throw myself whole hardheartedly into the new venture? Or do I go slow, one mile at a time. Making discoveries as I go along.
Testing my theories, so to speak. Always, always, always looking to see if there’s a market.
No market, no business. It’s that simple. Many fail to see this simple truth.
Throwing money, ads and energy into an idea with no market is doomed
and the primary cause of most failures in business.
In many ways I am ultra conservative when launching new ideas. In other ways, I am creative and unbridled. It makes an interesting combination.
I brought up both these ideas in last month’s marketing mastermind. And plan on sharing more lessons and successes as I venture forth.
Jim Boos, a member of my photography forum noBs photosuccess ™ posted this comment:
“Wow, this one was packed with a boat load of info. I know I will be watching again.”
In case you’re wondering what those ideas were, one is called Pink Door Weddings and the other is bringing Fairy sessions on the road into new markets.
Both are exploding beyond my wildest expectations.
Honestly, I don’t like sharing my successes and struggles. Too much crap feedback and hollow opinions. I share with those, like Jim, who value and learn WITH ME.
Are you one of those who love the journey? More to come as I venture forth, deeper into the jungle.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”
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