Here’s the Experience You Need to Run a Business
If you’re the New Yorker type like me who wants the immediate answer without having to scroll through a long post, here is the short answer: You don’t need experience to run a business.
If you want to know more as to why I say that, read on….
You don’t need to go back to school either
In my tenure as a business coach, I’ve given hundreds of consultations and the biggest concern I hear is, “I don’t have the experience needed to run a business.”
Some are questioning about getting their MBA, or taking a gazillion business courses at their local community college. Or they are considering getting another degree in their field of expertise so they will finally feel that they are worthy of owning a business.
The only time you need to ‘go back to school’ to run a business is if it is legally required (i.e. becoming a naturopath or therapist). And if that is the case, make sure you 100% know, with all the nerve endings in your body and soul, that this is what you want to do.
And if you don’t, start with getting clear on what you want to do (there are loads of coaches who can help you with that!)
Actually, you already have the experience needed to run a business
Now this doesn’t mean you don’t need to learn anything to run a successful business. You do, it is just not in the areas you think you need it.
I once had a client who wanted to become a personal organizer. She thought she needed to go get a certification in it. I told her otherwise. Why? Because when we looked deeper, she had been personally organizing for herself and others for decades. She already had the experience she needed.
Sometimes you may think that your life experience is so far removed from your business idea that there is no possible way it could be related. You may even be regretting your past, thinking >i>“I wasted my time! If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have taken x, y, z jobs or gotten my degrees in a, b, and c.”
This is scarcity mindset at its best. Every single thing you’ve done up until now has prepared you for this move into entrepreneurship.
Every. Dang. Thing.
Take a walk with me
Don’t believe me? Let’s take a stroll down memory lane of Stephanie Staidle’s career past.
I have been:
- A babysitter
- A pet sitter
- A hostess, waitress, and bartender
- A retail employee at Gap and J Crew
- A piano teacher
- An event marketing account executive
- An advertising account manager
- An art therapist in social work
- A weed bud trimmer (now that it is legal in California, I can legally say that – lol)
- A task rabbit
- And much more
All of this prepared me for business ownership. If I went down this list, one by one, I could tell you what I learned from that job and how it has positively impacted my ability as a business and leadership coach.
You’re already in the life business
And we can’t stop here. Career is only one aspect of the experience needed to run a business. There is also life experience. Let’s continue this fun game of Stephanie’s past.
I have…
… Had my heart broken into pieces more than once.
… Moved across the country three times.
… Lived abroad for several months in countries where English was not a core language (twice).
… Been deeply depressed more than once and found happiness again, more than once.
… Been an artist across several mediums.
… Played piano since I was four years old.
… Lived at home with my parents after college — twice!
… Lost friendships I didn’t want to lose and some that I consciously knew I needed to end.
… Had chronic pain and health issues
… Experienced childhood neglect from an alcoholic father
… Had said father pass away and mourned deeply for him regardless
… Failed at several projects
… Had six figures in my bank account and also negative figures.
You get the picture. And each and every experience I just listed has contributed to my ability to run a business.
Let us count the ways
By nature, our brains go to all the ways we don’t add up and all the ways it won’t work.
But before you look there, you may as well start with all the ways your life and career have given you the experience needed to run a business.
That would be my homework to you, dear reader: Make two columns and on one side list out all your experience. On the other, write out all the skills you learned as a result of that. Even if you trimmed weed buds (I learned precision, artistry, and the connection to nature with that work!).
Start there and from that place, you can see any skills that may be missing.
Learn to see your own greatness
Of course, as a business coach, I’d have no business if everyone knew what it takes to be successful as an entrepreneur. Books, webinars, and classes are all useful but they rarely can take you very far.
Because as much as people come to me to learn about marketing and product development — and this is important — I spend 80% of the time with my clients coaching them on mindset and leadership.
80% of the time helping them to see their greatness. To own their truth. To stand in the confidence to say: “I AM ENOUGH.”
And you are enough.
Trust me on this one.
