Why Delaying Entrepreneurship Can Unlock Greater Potential and Opportunities

Entrepreneurship is often seen as a fast track to success and financial freedom. However, many seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders advocate for temporarily pausing the grand entrepreneurial journey to gain broader experience and knowledge. This article explores the wisdom behind deferring the launch of a micro business and how it can lead to greater success in the long run.

Early Advice to Delay My Micro Business

When I was younger, I was preparing to leave school and start a micro business much like my father had done with his market stall. My father and a teacher at school advised me to postpone starting my own venture and instead pursue higher education. They believed that furthering my academic career would open up more opportunities than just starting a small local business right away.

Heeding their advice, I enrolled in a top university to study business. This decision led me to gain valuable international management experience with global media, tech, and entertainment companies. A decade later, I stepped away from a corporate career and co-founded a bootstrapped music startup with a music producer. Together, we leveraged our skills, knowledge, and experience to grow our company into a profitable multinational corporation valued at 215 million. If I had started my micro business immediately, I would likely still be tirelessly working on a small local business, missing out on the life I now lead.

Exploring Risk and Opportunity

Even those who are on the verge of becoming billionaires advocate for taking risks. For example, in a conversation with a man who is close to becoming a billionaire, he shared, 'Quit your stupid job. Look, you can always go back if it doesn't work out. You won't regret trying; I promise. When you reflect on your life, you'll be glad you took the chance.' This advice mirrors Jeff Bezos' own approach to entrepreneurship.

Notably, the wisdom of delaying a venture to focus on other experiences resonates with alignment of passions and values. Selling only products you believe in and doing work you love can produce a sense of conviction and confidence. This energy can influence customers to make buying decisions, leading to greater success in the long run.

Chasing the Weak, Not the Strong

Another valuable piece of advice comes from the Art of War by Sun Tzu: 'avoid what is strong and attack what is weak.' Most people emulate existing business models without realizing that established players have a competitive advantage. By focusing on solving problems for underserved markets, you can contribute to societal progress without much resistance from the competition.

The key is to identify unmet needs and markets with potential. Changing your worldview from scarcity to abundance can shift your perspective and mindset, leading to a greater sense of peace and fulfillment. As you find greater satisfaction, you become a better version of yourself and a better person to others.

Conclusion

Delaying the launch of your micro business can provide you with the opportunity to gather the skills, experience, and confidence needed to achieve greater success. By aligning your passions and values, addressing unmet market needs, and adopting a mindset of abundance, you can unlock greater potential and achieve a fulfilling entrepreneurial journey.