A report by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) found that 27 million working-age Americans (or nearly 14 percent) were either starting or running new businesses. Another positive finding was that 24 percent of current entrepreneurial companies planned to employ 20 or more people in the next five years.
America is changing in a number of ways, and business is just part of the transformation. More than half (51 percent) of working people surveyed told GEM that they saw good opportunities to start a business: That’s the first time that that figure has risen above 50 percent.
So, the numbers seem to be projecting a good outlook for us entrepreneurs. In my experience, entrepreneurs tend to gravitate toward one other — at networking events, airports, wherever. We all face similar obstacles, so whom do we ask for help? Can we trust that the people we’re asking are being honest and genuinely want to help us succeed?
In fact, the answer is “yes.” Look no further than Hero Partners — a group of entrepreneurs that came together for the purpose of fostering, mentoring and helping shape the next generation of entrepreneurs. Members believe all entrepreneurs are heroes and should be celebrated because of what they’re willing to risk, what they are willing to create and how they look to inspire others.
Hero Partners provides entrepreneurs with networking and educational opportunities, helps create business models that work and contributes to ideation and innovation. What especially sets the group apart is that one of its requirements is giving back. The group’s mission is to partner with talented entrepreneurs from all walks of life, who have grit and great ideas.
Randy Garn, chief revenue officer/principal at Hero Partners, explained to me the concept behind its endeavor. While the company predominately works with companies with revenues between $5 million and $50 million, there’s no revenue prerequisite to join — you only have to have been been successful in the past and have an honest desire to be charitable once you reach the next level.
If you have good ideas and are willing to help shape the next generation, Hero Partners wants to work with you. The goal is to make the entrepreneurial industry a better place for those who come next.
In that spirit, here are four staples to keep in mind, to take your entrepreneurial skills to the next level.
No idea is too small.
If you’re ready to take a leap of faith and become an entrepreneur, you’ll be filled with doubts. That’s par for the course, but if you believe that your idea will help make the world a better place, size doesn’t matter.
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