Find something you love to do so when times are tough you will stick it out.
Successful entrepreneurs have the 3 P's: Purpose, Passion and Perseverance.
In difficult days and hard economic times sometimes people just search for some positivity in their lives. Derrick Hayes understands that there has never been a better time to offer that positivity through his business Words of Encouragement (W.O.E.) Hayes has created a one stop shop where people can go to gain encouragement and the motivation to continue on through life's trials and tribulations.
Today, it can often be difficult for people to find the time to be motivated, but Hayes has that covered offering a motivational phone application for Android Phones it was downloaded 2,000 times within the first two weeks, public speaking, book reviews and more.
We had the opportunity to hear from this versatile entrepreneur. Excerpts from the interview are below:
Let's hear your story:
A few years ago my life hit rock bottom. My ex-wife and the mother of my children said she no longer wanted to be with me. I wanted to start over so I moved from Alabama to Georgia.
Mind you, I had limited money, no job, and no place to stay. A childhood friend said I could sleep on his floor until I could get back on my feet.
It was my first Friday night in a new city and my friend ask me to go out and dance. I refused at first but I later realized I needed to get out for some air.
I asked an attractive young lady name Kim to dance and we grooved until the lights came on for us to go. We exchanged numbers. I never expected to meet someone so nice so quickly. Even crazier thing is that she lived 90 miles away.
I was thinking about how my life had changed and I said woe. I looked into the bible and I saw the word woe. I also wanted to see how the dictionary defined woe. Woe meant trials or tribulations. In life a woe to you might be a job loss and to another it might be a broken relationship.
One day I was thinking how I could reinvent my life so I wrote down the word woe on a piece of paper.
As the document spoke to me it revealed that woe now meant WOE as in Word of Encouragement. From there I received this slogan. Before you leave work or go to sleep tonight, give someone a WOE, a Word of Encouragement.
I shared my concept of WOE with Kim and we decided that before we end our conversation each night someone had to give a WOE. Since we first danced we have been together for six years.
She has been the light of my life. Kim helped me go from woe to WOE.
What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?
Find something you love to do so when times are tough you will stick it out. Learn how to do it for free and find ways to turn it into a business so you can do it for a fee.
What do you know now that you wish you would have known before you started your venture?
The power and possibilities in having a phone app. Also the importance of having a mentor.
What trait(s) do you feel successful entrepreneurs possess?
Successful entrepreneurs have the 3 P's. Purpose, Passion and Perseverance.
What is the most exciting thing about being an entrepreneur?
Meeting exciting people that are successful doing what they love to do.
How do you stay motivated to continually work on your venture?
Giving my all each day let's me know that my efforts will bear fruit in the form of success. I pray, read and meditate with positive material. I keep an inspiring group of others around me at all times. I encourage others so when I need it they encourage me.
Any major accomplishments?
My first book Derricknyms From A to Z sold 4,000 copies. Most were sold out of my car and on military bases. I sold books to celebrities who include Mike Epps, Herschel Walker, Butch Carter, Pastor Troy and XTC of Whodini.
The most exciting thing happening with WOE right now is the Android Motivation To Your Mobile Application. It was downloaded over 2,000 times the first two weeks.
Contact:
Derrick Hayes
WOE Enterprises
Website: http://www.DerrickHayes.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/getawoe
Twitter: @encouragement4u