10 amazing lessons from being an entrepreneur

Preface: The search for something more

Once upon a time, somebody hired you to do a job. You did that job — and did it well.

Successful strategies were developed. Projects were completed on time. Clients were happy with the results. The company was growing and making money. Yet it all somehow felt a bit… incomplete.

Have your smart ideas been ignored or forgotten? Are your passions and skills not being used to their full potential? Are the people running your company lacking the traits needed of true business leaders?

I know that feeling of wanting more.

At one point in my life I felt a pull — almost like some sort of invisible magnet was trying to drag me in a new direction. But where was it pulling me?

The year was 2007. I had yet to start my own award-winning company, WordStream, or have it recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies for three straight years.

Little did I know my life was about to change in a BIG way.

1. A call to action

Every entrepreneur has had an “a-ha!” moment — a moment when an idea crystallizes and everything makes sense. I had such a moment after I developed software to solve a problem.

My marketing consulting tasks were way more time-consuming and repetitive than necessary. Unfortunately, there were no helpful keyword management software solutions on the market.

So I created one. At some point I realized that a lot people would find my PPC automation software valuable. Many small businesses don’t have the time or expertise or budget to succeed at paid search, so my vision was to address this need in the marketplace.

I also realized that the software business was potentially much more valuable than the services businesses.

Once I had both a product and a service to sell, it was time to aggressively pursue the opportunity. I started pitching venture capital investment firms and, eventually, raised a few million dollars.

Lesson: Come up with several business ideas and test your theories before picking the best one and going all-in.

2. Facing fear of failure

3. Seek advisors to help guide your growth

4. Invest profits back into your business

5. Team building

6. It’s not all about the money

7. A disturbing lack of faith

8. Chase your unicorns

9. You’re (sort of) the boss!

10. Achieving success

The big lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs