A lot of young entrepreneurs are under a lot of unnecessary pressure to start to live big and attain that “success” status. This creates a lot of tension that clouds originality and creativity. So, they tend to make really poor decisions and that severely impacts their progress even unknowingly.
But I’d love to inspire you today with some entrepreneurs you must have heard about. These people actually started really small, and if you asked them if they ever thought they will be where they are today, they may not have been 100% sure because they were just like you (maybe) – unsure and confused at some point.
Now, let’s get down to business!
Jeff Bezos
Take a hard look at this picture and see the very humble beginnings of someone who had a vision and didn’t mind starting small with the mindset of influencing the internet positively.
You know Amazon now as the giants in the e-commerce world with no other company coming close. Well, it actually didn’t start out that way as Jeff actually launched Amazon in his garage – funny, right?
In 1995, Jeff launched Amazon. And as at then, it was virtually the only website that sold books. However, despite his humble beginning, he had a vision for the company’s explosive e-commerce domination.
He started out in his garage and in his first month, had already sold books to 50 states in 45 different countries. That was absolutely incredible for a first timer.
Now, not only is Amazon known for its incredible innovation, but also extremely effective customer service and executing customer orders. Amazon has proved a lot of people wrong, and are well worth to be called the giant of e-commerce.
Steve Jobs
The picture above was taken in 1976. This is a photograph of Apple’s first computers. Who imagined that this picture that seemingly showed “no promise,” could turn out to be a company that revolutionized six industries? If you told me one second before Steve decided to start Apple, I still wouldn’t have believed you.
Steve Jobs was just 21 when he started Apple with his friend turned co-founder, Steve Wozniak. He built 50 basic computers in Jobs’ parents’ house. He was someone who depicted the true definition of a maverick because of his disruptive thinking.
These guys are real mavericks in the industry. They didn’t get where they are now by merely wishing. They knew what they wanted – and that is what set them apart from other people that just thought they could wish their way into riches.
Understand that you need to clearly define your vision and where you really want to be more than anything else. Pursue it like you’d die if you didn’t get what you want, and watch your dreams unfold right before you as you go.
Remember that something these two had in common was the drive to change people’s lives. Never base your motivation around money, you could be really disappointed. However, be focused on genuinely helping people solve a pressing problem of theirs and always stay humble, and you’ll go very far.