Building Your Own Business - Is it really worth it?

blog 2016
Written By Andrew Ford

 

Some of you might have noticed that my blogging has slowed down in recent times. From weekly, it went to fortnightly, to monthly and then stopped completely! Why is this so? A few reasons but the main one is I am working on my dream project - the one that motivated me to leave cushy corporate life and start the entrepreneur grind. To be honest it's tough. It's testing me. I'm working nights, weekends on holidays to push my dream from idea to reality and some things have to give. Blogging (which I love), time with friends and more. The question begs, is the dream worth it?

Back Story

Three years ago I quit my job and thrust myself into no-certain-pay-cheque land. A scary but a thrilling ride. You don't have time to think, you just do. Scramble to profitability and keep on going. After a few years you have clients, processes, structure and (hopefully) profitability.  But what about the dream? Have you left it behind because it's easier just to grow what you have? My belief is that if your dream is true to your heart, you can't let it go. It's always in the back of your mind. The clock is ticking and your in a hurry to get it out there to the world. 

My Dream

I have a dream. To be honest it's a bit challenging to share it, people might think I'm soft or think it's unrealistic. But here goes. I believe everyone has a purpose, unique skills and experience that makes them awesome at a particular career. The issue is big companies don't always allow this freedom of expression. Start ups are hard to get going and many fail. So how do you live a life of purpose and make a decent living. I want to solve this problem.

Many people believe in the same dream as I do. We are all working towards the same outcome. My small part in the process is to help people understand their greatness, assist them in building the assets they need to communicate that skill to the world and give them the confidence to pitch to the right people for what they really want. Practical skills that really work. 

Help Others

Those that know me would say I am already doing this in my consulting company Social Star. I do feel like I help people every day, but I can only help so many. Therefore, my dream is to automate my consulting process in an online app that can help anyone in the world. There are many people less fortunate than us who need support to rise up and be confident. They have skills, they work hard, they are good people. Sometimes they have environments that try to push them down, stop them becoming better and achieving more. It's time to change that. Give them the global opportunities that are out there. No longer can local borders contain individuals with access to a phone and wifi.

I have traveled extensively and met many people in this situation. My dream is to help them - all of them. The more they need help, the more I want to help them. Rich and successful people can help themselves or afford professional services. I'm in it for the poorest and least confident. 

So be patient with me. If you haven't seen me for awhile now you know the reason why. I am trying to do something bigger than myself and it's taking a lot out of me. Is it worth it? I ask you the opposite question what else is more important than your dreams? When it's time to go, how could I look into my kids eyes and tell them I did my best if I only took the easy road. 

Hang onto your dreams, they are worth it.

Andrew

PS This post was inspired by a recent trip to the Philippines where I am working a  new team lead by my mate Andrew Styles who is changing the lives of his staff. They were so grateful for my training they all started blogging on LinkedIn! How could I not. This one especially moved me by Loream.

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As an added bonus all my visitors can download a complimentary copy of my book 'Creating a Powerful Brand' by clicking on the book menu button or here. Tell your friends we have load of eBooks! It will change your life or you money back. Enjoy!

 

(the link is http://www.andrewford.com.au/book/)

Andrew Ford
Marketing expert Andrew Ford, the founder of Social Star, has discovered the secret of ‘Powerful Branding’. With a fire for unleashing people’s inner brand and developing business models to generate profit from an individual’s passions, Andrew leverages ground-breaking digital and social media marketing techniques to create digital strategies for clients to attract maximum opportunities. Having established a strong name for himself in the field, Andrew blends traditional business techniques with now-necessary tools for entrepreneurs to achieve scale, quality, and influence in their niche. Andrew’s comprehensive business background and qualifications consist of a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (RMIT 2003), a Graduate Certificate in Management (MBA Executive Program, University of Sydney 2005), and a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Swinburne University 2011). Continually on the cutting edge of his own education, Andrew has tested his marketing theories in forums such as the BCG Business Strategy Competition, which he won in 2005 against all Victorian MBA schools, and the Venture Cup Business Plan Competition (Swinburne University 2003), which he won in the Masters category. With experience working at Hewlett-Packard, Sensis (Telstra) and IBM, Andrew also has mentored dozens of junior staffs to help them achieve their professional goals. Meeting and influencing high-profile public figures helped Andrew to realise just how many professionals require more understanding and control of their public brands or appearance, and need help with the skills to use the many amazing free tools at their disposal to generate success. At Social Star, Andrew consults with clients to uncover their personal brand – both where it is today and where it can be tomorrow – and refine and define how that should be displayed in social media in order to attract their perfect target audience. Andrew mentors his clients to rapidly grow their business’ audiences, resulting in larger potential client bases and higher revenue. Applying formulas that integrate over twenty years of Andrew’s business experience and fifteen years of formal business education, Social Star specialises in building clarity and velocity for clients’ brands using the ‘Understand, Build and Leverage’ methodology. ‘Having a Personal Business enables people to have an authentic, congruent connection with their valued clients and partners, using their brand as the bridge,’ says Andrew. ‘I’m highly driven to work with the new breed of entrepreneurs and small business owners – people who have a passion for making the world a better place. Traditional business models are stepping aside as people follow their innermost dreams and my role is to see them operate within their values while creating wealth. Some people think you have to sacrifice what you love to be successful in your business, yet it is actually the opposite. Follow your passion and success will come.’ Lecturing at Swinburne University from 2009 to 2011 on brand dynamics and digital marketing, presenting at numerous conferences, and consulting to hundreds of clients, Andrew has seen his philosophy work that if you follow your unique path, based on your skills, experience, values and goals, you will automatically attract the opportunities you desire and achieve the success you deserve. Living his mantra, Andrew has created a successful business and attracts high-profile clients including musicians, athletes, authors, models, entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners, helping them find their ‘why’ in their business and fulfilment in their lives. Business for Andrew is more than work, it’s personal. Running a personal business means that he is able to fulfil all of his values rather than separating his life from work. It supports his two boys while providing social opportunities, educational development, fitness opportunities, spiritual fulfilment and many valuable friendships. Social Star has now become the vehicle for Andrew to crystallise his mission in the world, to help people love what they do, supporting his ‘why’, that if more people loved what they did, the world would be a better place.
http://www.andrewford.com.au/
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