Being an entrepreneur or business owner has its share of ups and downs. While the downs can be pretty low the ups always seem to triumph for a true entrepreneur at heart. Milestones are what entrepreneurs and business owners work towards. Once you finally reach a certain point then reflection can truly begin. Finding the motivation in growing your business keeps it from becoming stale in the long run. No matter which part you love most, loving them all is equally as important.
We asked entrepreneurs and business owners what motivates them about growing a business and below are their replies.
#1- Freedom with my time
When I left my full-time in-house role to start my own consultancy, I wanted more work-life balance and I wanted to be able to design my own day however I saw fit. Starting my own business has given me the freedom to spend more time with my family and kids, go for a hike in the morning, make a green smoothie, and work with innovative direct-to-consumer companies that I am personally passionate about and are creating some force of good in the world every day.
Thanks to Lauren Kleinman, Dreamday!
#2- Reimagine children's health
As a father myself, I’m motivated to end our kid's dependence on sugar and start a conversation about its dangers. We like to say sugar is the new smoking. We’re mission-driven to make sure parents are educated about the health risks so kids don’t grow up dependent on sugar as is common with prior generations.
Thanks to Darren Litt, Hiya Health!
#3- Sense of satisfaction
It is analogous to self actualisation when I get opportunities to share and celebrate the struggles and experiences across the years. Running an eCom business in India, a developing nation is a bumpy ride. There are new challenges and problems. No one has traveled the same path earlier and one cannot look forward to mentorship or advice for the same – The most appropriate decision has to be made and thinking on the feet is necessary. Reaching my mini-goals and recording new numbers on the growth metrics going through thick and then is what keeps me going.
Thanks to Akram Tariq Khan, YourLibaas!
#4- It brings me growth as well
I want to grow my guitar business because this is a reflection of my dream. I didn’t just put capital in here but I put hard work, my dedication, my aspiration, sweat, blood, and sleepless nights just to make it happen. Growing this would probably bring me profit but beyond that. It would contribute to my self-worth. Growing this seems like growing myself as well. From its inception period to its growth process, this business is me.
Thanks to James Bullard, SoundFro!
#5- Acknowledging that what i am doing is important
I enjoy doing my job, but when motivation is missing I remind myself that I am being helpful and that my audience values my work. Acknowledging that what you are doing is important for many will keep you going. For that, it is an essential key for you to be surrounded by a positive and empowering team so that there will be no room for discouragement.
Thanks to Alex Perkins, All the Stuff!
#6- Make my vision a reality
I have so many things I have thought of which I know can help improve my business and the services I can provide to other people and that alone gives me the drive to struggle to do more, give more, and always innovate. I want to see my business succeed, and that alone is already a motivation for me to work hard and always strive for the best.
Thanks to Lewis Keegan, SkillScouter!
#7- Increase revenue
At 56 yeasts old, my main motivation to grow my dog training business is to increase revenue so that I can delegate business tasks to others. Right now I do all services myself at the client's home. Growing my business and then getting a training facility of my own will enable me to hire more trainers and other staff so I can primarily focus on marketing, sales, and coaching.
Thanks to Dale Buchanan, Top Gun Dog Training!
#8- Personal growth and accomplishment
To be a successful entrepreneur, one can never standstill. The best entrepreneurs enjoy the journey as much as the destination. They have a thirst for knowledge that helps them in their business, as well as their own personal growth. That synergy creates a sweet spot that maximizes their impact. Moreover, If you want to achieve your goals, help others achieve theirs. Great entrepreneurs keep your eyes open for other businesses in a related space that can complement theirs which also motivates the business owners.
Thanks to Shiv Gupta, Incrementors Web Solutions!
#9- Inspire People To Help Conserve African Wildlife
I am very passionate about Africa and her wildlife. African wildlife is constantly under threat and part of being a safari guide is helping to conserve wildlife in every way possible to try and keep our reserves safe for not just our animals, but our guests as well. For me, a big part of my passion is showing people how beautiful African is and incentivising them to help us conserve our heritage. Whether it is their time or their money, I want my passion to rub off on everyone that travels with me to get them to help me keep wildlife flourishing so that our kids can pay it forward.
Thanks to Shaun Taylor, Moriti Safaris!
#10- Helping others and improve human health
Helping others and improving their health has always been my top motivations for growing a business. The mission of my company, Invivobiosystems, is to enable researchers to develop and deliver solutions that improve human health. Making a difference and helping others not only makes me proud and happy but also gives me a great sense of self-worth. I believe that the more my business grows, the more I can help others and improve their lives.
Thanks to Shawn Lockery, InVivo Biosystems!
#11- Not trading time for money
Trading time for money is the myth most people fall for as this is what we are taught in school, it's the norm. We are taught to take an hour of our time and make a fixed rate in return. The problem is that this way there is a cap in what we can make and can easily lose control of our valuable time. I prefer working on my business not trading time for money. There is no cap in my earnings and I have absolute control of my own time. I see this work style as an investment in my happiness allowing me to enjoy my life and loved ones.
Thanks to Ioanna Karelia, Be Your Maverick!
#12- Four markers
The first is leveraging past failures as a springboard for newfound success. Second and third, my deep passion for the industry and knowing that I provide a solution to help small businesses be more efficient, profitable and socially responsible. Lastly, and most importantly is being an example for my daughter and creating a legacy for her to follow or inspire her to forge her own legacy.
Thanks to Maya Holihan, EWedded!
#13- Sharing my perspective on martial arts
I've been doing martial arts for over 15 years. I started my own website on this topic with the overall goal of sharing my perspective on martial arts with both current practitioners and people thinking about starting. I genuinely believe there is something of value I can add to people's overall perception of both martial arts, and themselves, but in order to do that, I need to reach a wider audience. This is what motivates me to grow my business.
Thanks to Velin Dragoev, Keenfighter!
#14- Better life for everybody
For me, the motivation and the consistent desire to grow my business is being financially independent and having more freedom in this world. A growing business means more money, influence, and more relationships. It also means enhancing other employees' life; it gives them more opportunities and a larger area to show their hidden talents and skills. Even regarding the customers' and clients' needs; it provides them the best quality of provided services in the market.
Thanks to Jeremy Ong, HUSTLR!
#15- Two parts
I love the entrepreneurial thrill of making something and seeing it grow. This business is my baby and it's one we've been nurturing since the start. The other part is standing for something. We're in a business niche that has gained a lot of interest and competition in recent years, and with that comes cheap and low-quality versions of the product. It makes me want to stand even stronger for our values in offering customers the highest quality product and experience so they have better options. In order to do so, we need to grow the business in order to remain competitive.
Thanks to Kate Rubin, Rubin Extensions!
#16- The progress I have made from Day 1 to today
Seeing how everything developed into where it is, through the ups and downs, it makes me see how to improve and the necessary steps to go about it. That motivates me to try new things to just to better every day.
Thanks to Ben Walker, Transcription Outsourcing!
#17- Through the great advice I received
I am motivated to grow my business through the great advice I received from a non-business owner (my mom) and that is to be patient and calm. I have learned in business that there is no need for everything to happen immediately. Good things come to those who wait and work hard. This advice does work! I have remained patient and worked diligently on the growth and success of the business. Year after year, we continue to grow and thrive and develop new ideas that help our business grow and our customers thrive.
Thanks to Deborah Sweeney, MyCorporation!
#18- Give unfiltered, real information and stories to help parents
We created our digital content hub, Milk-Drunk, as a non-judgmental destination for all things feeding a baby. We wanted to help parents just get honest support, without feeling bad that they couldn’t feed their baby a certain way (most notably by exclusively breastfeeding). If we can help parents and new moms get better access to the information they need at 2 am when their baby won’t latch on their boob, without making them feel guilty that their baby won’t on their boob, then we are doing something right.
Thanks to Kim Chappell, Bobbie!
#19- Self-driven motivation
With 20+ years growing two very different businesses, it's always simply been my goal to succeed. I love reaching goals and putting more goals in place for myself and my company. I thrive on building a strong team and working dynamically together. As a former dancer, it comes naturally for me to want to improve, leap higher and work toward my top potential. I take these ideas into my leadership style and I know as long as I am growing, I am living life to the fullest.
Thanks to Ivy Slater, Slater Success!
#20- Being on the Creative Process
The creative process from creating ideas to developing strategies is what I find to be the most self- rewarding. This process helps me to think differently, giving me the agility to think fast on my feet. Having the ability to pivot from a strategy I find is an integral skill to have.
Thanks to Heather T, Imagecreativebhx!
#21- Empower everyone to become a content creator
Having worked in the digital marketing industry for the past 15 years, I’ve seen firsthand how the content creation process remains inefficient and difficult to sustain. My goal has always been to help marketers and companies generate content at scale quickly and efficiently by expanding their untapped content sources–their employees. This is why we developed our collective marketing platform called Mobibi. As such, I want my business to continue to grow so that we can make this kind of collective marketing possible for organizations, where everyone can be a content creator.
Thanks to Matt Stormoen, Mobibi!
#22- Diversifying my business
Capt'n Henderson
By diversifying you are strengthening and protecting your business from inevitable downturns. With Home Business Magazine, print advertising had been the foundation of business revenue for two decades. But demand for print circulation and advertising eventually declined, and a print magazine was no longer viable. But the magazine diversified into digital circulation and other e-commerce endeavors adapted and survived. Just about any company can grow by diversifying into businesses related to your core business. This will increase profitability, make your business more stable, and prepare you for the inevitability of market declines.
Thanks to Richard Capt'n Henderson, Home Business Podcast!
#23- Challenges in my business
If creating a company from zero is a significant venture, making that company scale its the adrenaline that drives some of us to the extreme. I love investigating, experimenting, and executing new ways to improve my numbers each day due to challenging me that I can do better. Hustling never ends, and that is what keeps me waking up with great energy and focus.
Thanks to Ignacio Bermeo, TRATO!
#24- Understanding our client's necessity
As many more professional and government organizations come to rely on advanced digital technologies in their daily operations and long-term projects, the cybersecurity and technological expertise my company provides has become an integral part of any business’s ability to succeed and function efficiently. It’s important to consider how your current services may be necessary to an even wider variety of clients and consumers than you’re currently serving. Thinking about this will also prompt you to consider how you can expand your current service offerings while staying true to your business’ goals and primary functions.
Thanks to Darren Deslatte, Entrust Solutions!
#25- By my family
Our business is a family business, so I hope for it to be around in ten years, and in twenty, and in fifty years. I did not start this business to shoot out a few collections and then run it into the ground. I started it to make it my legacy going forward. Every time our collections do well, every time we reach a milestone, every time the company reaches a long-term goal, that only renews my motivation to take the company a step further. If we’ve come this far, where else can we go? How far can I take my business if I work hard at it? It’s how I find fresh motivation every single day. Especially thinking about my family taking over the business, it’s impossible to not want to grow it and leave a valuable legacy behind.
Thanks to Hosea Chang, Hayden Girls!