You have come with the idea for your business and now find yourself at the stage where you are trying to decide what your next move should be. For many entrepreneurs this stage can be quite daunting as it is easy to feel overwhelmed as you are deciding where to go next with this idea. The first step an entrepreneur should make is to set out a plan that maps out how you would like your business to progress. Secondly look at the finances you currently have and assess how they can be allocated to different areas within your business. At this stage entrepreneurs can also go in search of further funding to help the business grow. If you are still feeling overwhelmed at this stage and require guidance there are a variety of resources available to you. For example local enterprise offices (LEO’s), Enterprise Ireland and other supports such as the Rubicon Centre here can help grow your business idea. Issues that arise during these initial stages should not be viewed as barriers but rather as stepping stones to finding your success.
Last week in the Rubicon Centre we held an event called #welovestartups which afforded new entrepreneurs in the initial stages of their business ideas the opportunity to come and meet professionals from within the Rubicon Centre but also from Enterprise Ireland, LEO’s and SECAD. These informal meetings allowed entrepreneurs to discuss their ideas and discuss any potential issues they may be currently facing within the business. Those in attendance also got to discuss their ideas with programme directors here about potentially bringing their business to the Rubicon Centre in order to further develop their ideas and move forward with their business.
Here in the Rubicon Centre we pride ourselves in being a helping hand in ensuring that entrepreneurs and their startups can achieve their full potential. The programmes that we offer ensure that where an idea presents itself, we have the ability to move it onto the next level. Exxcel, New Frontiers and Scale Cork are programmes available that cover various business areas ensuring that entrepreneurs are a part of a programme that suits them.
For many entrepreneurs beginning their journey it can be a lonely time. However, the community that exists here in the Rubicon and in other similar businesses ensures that there is a feeling of community that fosters the ability for people to be further inspired in their work. For attendees last week they benefited from hearing of the experiences of three entrepreneurs whose businesses have grown within the walls of the Rubicon. Frank Fleming of Verifish, Wendy Oke of Teach Kloud and Tricia Balfe of XMLdation offered invaluable insight into how entrepreneurs starting out on their journeys could bring their businesses to fruition.
One question posed to the panel focused on advice they wished they had been given by someone before embarking on their personal entrepreneurial journeys. Frank spoke of how he wished he knew that, “You must be open to changing along the way. It’s not always a straightforward process and you must be open to changes that may arise within your market.” Tricia referred to the need for “moral support and people who are experiencing what you are experiencing”. Wendy talked about how she did a Phd before she realised the route that her business idea needed to take to be successful. Their insights allowed for new entrepreneurs in attendance to see that not every journey is the same and you will face trials and tribulations along the way.
Finally, these entrepreneurs offered advice on what they believe has helped them to become successful in their own businesses. Frank pointed out the importance of , “listening and taking information from others, read books or listen to podcasts. Look outside of yourself to other successful people and look at how they have maneuvered their own journeys”. Wendy spoke of the importance of “surrounding yourself with the right people as being an entrepreneur can sometimes be isolating”. Finally Tricia believes that “resilience and self care” are important factors that entrepreneurs should not neglect in their own personal lives. It is easy to get consumed by your business but know that putting time into yourself will prevent you from burning out which will allow for your business to move forward.
