Three steps to a successful Corporate Escape

blog 2018

19 July

Last night I was chatting with a new potential coaching client about their plans to leave their corporate job and start their own business based on their unique intellectual property. It was like most discussions I have with Corporate Escapees in that the only real barrier to them doing what they are most passionate about are their own beliefs and a formal process to build the business assets. This made me think about what is really required to become a successful Corporate Escapee.

Here are some thoughts on the three essential steps you need to be a successful Corporate Escapee (and one you don't):

Customers:

It sounds pretty obvious but I see many people leave their jobs without having at least one customer. When I suddenly left my last corporate job after an argument with my old boss I was confident about starting my business because I had already been operational and sold my core product many times. A business without a sale is a hobby, so ensure you have at least one sale before jumping ship. You will then know there is demand for your business and you just have to repeat the process.

Support:

Trying to do everything yourself is tough. It can be done, but it's much easier with some support around you. As I tell my clients...

Entrepreneurship is a game of the mind

So to stay in top mental shape many people get coaches. Support groups are also useful as well as an accountability group of similar stage Corporate Escapees. It can mean the difference between giving up and progressing, so ensure you have the support resources set up before you need them.

Courage:

This is the big one! Courage is a byproduct of a good plan. If you can see the end result and work towards it daily, then you are more likely to maintain your self belief. There will always be days of doubts and setbacks, but taking small actions regularly will give you confidence in your plan. At the end of the day, though, it takes a certain amount of courage to dive in. Invest in help to build your plan, tell people you are going to do it, and commit.

The thing I recommend you don't do is rush into doing expensive marketing. Many early stage business owners I meet will do a Facebook or marketing course and think that will bring them customers. The first thing you need to build your business is your personal brand. You will get your first customers from those who already trust you and will give you a go - not strangers on the internet. That comes later when you have a robust brand, business and products. Save your money! Invest in you.

If you would like to get together with some like-minded Corporate Escapees, Social Star is running an event with four entrepreneurs who have made the jump.

Join Outcome Life and Social Star on August 8th for a storytelling night of sorts where you will get to hear from and speak with business owners from a variety of backgrounds about how they followed their passions and never looked back. From a dating expert to a communications goddess and more, these stories will get you motivated about turning your passion project into major profits.

The event will open and close with wine, finger foods, and networking with other entrepreneurial-minded people from around the city. RSVP is required, but is only $10. Head over to MeetUp now to secure your spot: https://bit.ly/2J5P2U4

andrew ford

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/

Three steps to a successful Corporate Escape

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