Lessons I Learned From My Dad On Entrepreneurship PT.2

Last week, I started a series entitled, Lessons I Learned From My Dad On Entrepreneurship. I talked on the first ten lessons I’ve learned by studying my dad’s leadership in his moving and delivery business. If you want the first lessons I taught on or you just want a review, then I highly recommend that you read Pt.1 of the series. Now let’s move into the last ten lessons I’ve learned from my dad on entrepreneurship.
Lessons I’ve Learned From My Dad On Entrepreneurship…
11. An entrepreneur doesn’t have a set schedule
If there’s one thing that my dad’s business has taught me is that as an entrepreneur there is no set schedule. This used to be one of the things I regretted about my dad’s business because nothing was for sure. You never knew when he would have to work or how long he had to work. He never knew what time he would get off from a job or what days he would be off. There’s no accuracy, just predictability. Because a business isn’t like a normal job. A normal job you may work 9–5 on the weekdays and have the weekends off. But that’s not the case with an entrepreneur because entrepreneurs put in more hours than a normal employee. So sometimes when you don’t have a set schedule and you’re working nonstop it’s kind of hard to plan for other things. Having a business can place a lot of demands on you and even your family. But to whom much is given, much is required. And as an entrepreneur you’re constantly on the clock, giving your all into your craft. Business is very time consuming I should say.
12. Balance is necessary
On Father’s Day I did a tribute to my father on my main blog and one thing I said on there is that if I had one word to describe my dad it would be BALANCE. My dad shows me what it looks like to have a balanced life. He is a businessman. And with that he learns how to juggle both being a father, a husband and doing his job that simply doesn’t have a set schedule. My dad could get a call right now for a move on tomorrow going to California. But with a busy schedule, he tries to spend time with us as often as he can. Whether it’s movies, going out to eat, vacation or going shopping. My dad shows me to never neglect your family because of your business. My dad will literally stop working (while at a customer’s house) to answer a phone call from his wife or kids. Also with a busy schedule, he takes Sunday’s off. Sunday is like his Sabbath when he devotes time to church and to his family. My father shows me to always make time for God even when you’re busy. He let’s me know not to allow success to drive you away from God. And as an entrepreneur, you must learn the importance of balance. You can have a successful business and a failed marriage or a household in ruins if you don’t have balance. If you want to learn how to find balance in life, I highly recommend you read my blog entitled, I’m Battling For Balance. This blog has blessed many people, including myself and I know it will bless you too!
13. Keep it professional at all times
There are times in the business, when I see my dad have to deal with an unfriendly customer. Usually it’s when the customer doesn’t want to pay the money after the job or wants to make false accusations (this is all very rare). Seeing how rude a customer can get with my dad and see him keep his cool is a perfect example of keeping it professional. Not only that but he keeps it professional when he does the job. By properly packing and loading the truck, carefully carrying the customers’ belongings to always being well mannered and respectful to the people along with using a great sense of humor. Doing this has caused him to get nothing but five star reviews. Make sure you treat the customers right in business. Why? Because the customer is using your services, paying you their hard earned money and they will tell others about the services provided (good or bad). So it’s important to treat the customer with respect and make sure they’re happy and satisfied with the job you’ve done.
14. Hiring and Firing
My dad’s business like any business has its ups and downs. Sometimes he has had problems with the workers and people he places on his team. Last week, I told you guys that he needed Manpower. He needs people on his team who can #1. WORK, #2. Be dependable and reliable and #3. Wear the brand of the business well. My dad hasn’t always had good help like he does now. In the past he had to let go of some people who were holding the business back. My dad has made bad decisions in hiring people who he thought was good for the job then he had to make hard decisions of letting go of good people who just weren’t good for the job. The saying “be slow to hire and quick to fire” is very true because the longer you keep ineffective people on your team the longer you delay the growth and success of the company. So be wise in choosing who you pick on the team and don’t be afraid to get some people off the team.
15. Friendship and Entrepreneurship
I’ve heard the saying many times “don’t do business with family”; part of that is true but the other part is “don’t do business with friends”. You can’t always do business with friends. Sometimes friends can take advantage of your kindness just because of their love for money. If you don’t believe me, ask Jesus was sold out by Judas for thirty pieces of silver. I’ve seen my dad have to cut off a couple of his so called “friends” because they wanted money over friendship. This can be friends in the industry or it can be friends who want money now since you have some. Or you can have friends who can take advantage of your services and not want to pay you your prices. Always know why people are friends with you. Do they want you or your stuff?
16. Be a legit business
Don’t be an illegal business! If you’re going to be a business, be a legit business. My dad had to do things to make sure that his business was legit, legal and in right standing with the state and government. Some things he had to do in starting his moving business was…
- Making sure that the name was available
- Getting it registered with secretary of state
- D.O.T.
- Getting name and logo on trucks
- Licensed and Insured
- Website
- Contracts & much more.
Now the requirements vary depending on the business you’re trying to start. But this was some of the process that I know he had to go through in making sure the business was legit. Make sure you do everything required so your business or organization doesn’t get fine or worse. Stay on top of all the rules and requirements the state has for the business you’re running.
17. Network
One thing my dad knows the importance of is networking. My dad partners with other people in the moving business. My dad isn’t competitive with them or envious of them. He learns from them, teaches them and shares business with them. Business isn’t about competing but connecting. He networks with people to take both his and their business to the next level. My dad knows the importance of working with people. Vision can never be fulfilled without the help of others. I want to challenge you to build relationships with people in your field. You will see great growth as the two of you glean from each other!
18. Don’t be stingy
With my dad networking with other businesses he also partners with them. My dad shares business. When my dad is super busy, overbooked or just wants to delegate a job he’ll give it other movers he knows and can trust. My dad always says “there’s enough business to go around”. And that’s so true! There’s no reason to be stingy with success! We can all have customers, we can all make money and we can all get a piece of the pie! Take other small business owners under your wing and make money together! God doesn’t bless greedy people, but giving people! The more moves my dad gives away, the more moves God blesses him with. Because God loves when we can share!
19. Arrive early
One thing my dad does is get to his job’s early. The first job of the day starts at 8 and but my dad tries to arrive at the customer’s house at least an hour early. My dad believes in being on time and starting on time. He’s not just like that in business but even in his own life. He always tells me the importance of being early. Hearing this a number of times, have made me personally hate tardiness! Being late is an ugly look to me! Be on time whether it’s to a meeting, an event, a job, church, school, work, etc. Just be on time! Even customers hate tardiness, because you could delay their whole schedule and day because of your lateness! So start being on time!
20. Humility
My dad’s business is not the same business it was 6 years ago. My dad’s business has caused him to be very profitable, travel all around the world and meet/move different celebrities! But after all the success my dad has had, he has remained humbled. He is humble and still acknowledges that God is the source and reason for the business’ success. He gives God all the glory and honor for what the business has become. Humility is key. Humility says “it’s not me, it’s all GOD!” Humility gives God credit for things people think you did! The scripture says in 1 Peter 5:6 to “humble yourself under the mighty hand of God so He may exalt you in due time”. Humble yourself if you want to be exalted, but boast yourself if you want to be extirpated! God hates pride, don’t allow pride to destroy your business! Be humbled! Be humbled! Be humbled!
Today I covered the last ten lessons that I learned from my dad on entrepreneurship. I hope these lessons have blessed you as much as it blessed me! Which one of these tips do you need to implement into your business and life to be successful? Also what was your biggest takeaways from Part 1 and 2? Thank you for reading the series. God bless you!
