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Entrepreneur
5 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
3 Truths Every Founder Learns the Hard Way
There's no manual for entrepreneurship — and your mom's advice, while well-meaning, didn't cover the realities of building a business. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Growing up, most of us were raised on a handful of core values: Be respectful, work hard, go to school, and try to find a "good job." That kind of advice served a purpose — until you stepped into the world of entrepreneurship. Once you start building companies, managing risk and making decisions that impact other people's livelihoods, you quickly realize that much of the real-world playbook wasn't passed down at the dinner table. There are rules no one told you — lessons that only become clear through experience, failure and a few bruises along the way. Here are three truths your mom probably didn't mention, but every entrepreneur eventually learns. Related: 5 Truths About Entrepreneurship You're Better Off Knowing From the Start 1. Relationships matter more than money — don't burn bridges Money gets a lot of attention. In business, it's often treated as the ultimate scorecard. But ask anyone who's been through multiple cycles — booms, busts, exits, restarts — and they'll tell you the same thing: Relationships are the true long-term currency. Too many people early in their careers treat business like a zero-sum game. Win the deal. Beat the competition. Squeeze every cent. But what they don't realize is that business is a marathon, not a sprint. And the bridges you burn now could be the ones you need to cross later. People remember how you made them feel. They remember how you showed up when things were good and how you behaved when things weren't. I've seen incredibly talented people sidelined from opportunity not because they lacked skill, but because they left a trail of scorched relationships behind them. Business isn't just about capital — it's about trust. When the tide turns, it won't be your profit margins that save you. It'll be the people who trust you enough to bet on you again. So, here's the bottom line: Protect your name. Don't burn bridges. Stay in touch with the people who helped you early on. And never underestimate the value of loyalty, humility and consistency. 2. Don't just look for a job — build a career that points forward Most people are trained to look for stability. A job with a paycheck, a title, maybe benefits. But entrepreneurship requires a different mindset — one that's focused not just on the next role, but on the next direction. If you're constantly looking straight ahead, reacting to what's in front of you, you'll miss the bigger picture. The best founders don't just ask, "What should I do next?" They ask, "What kind of life do I want to build? What impact do I want to have?" Looking up means identifying a bigger vision. It means saying no to short-term moves that don't serve the long game. It means thinking in terms of legacy, not just tasks. Every great company starts with someone who wasn't satisfied with the status quo. Someone who refused to settle for "just another job" and instead chose to take a risk on a bigger idea. If you're serious about entrepreneurship, your job isn't to chase opportunities — it's to shape them. Stop asking what's available. Start asking what's possible. Related: What No One Tells You About Entrepreneurship — 5 Hard Truths 3. Go to college — but not for the reasons you think We've been told since childhood: "Go to college. It's the only way to succeed." And sure, if you're planning to be a doctor, attorney or engineer, that advice still holds up. But for the rest of us? The real value of college has little to do with the diploma and everything to do with the people. College isn't just a classroom. It's your first real network. Your first taste of navigating relationships, learning to pitch an idea, convincing others to join your vision and failing publicly — then bouncing back. That's not something you learn in a lecture hall. Some of the most successful founders of our time didn't finish college, but they were smart enough to immerse themselves in a social ecosystem where ideas, ambition and bold personalities collided. College is where you find your tribe. Your co-founders. Your early supporters. Your future business partners. So if you're going to invest in college, don't do it for the framed degree. Do it for the four years of social capital you'll never get back. Skip the resume-padding clubs and find the circles where ideas get challenged, risks get taken and relationships get built. Because ten years from now, no one's going to ask what grade you got in Econ 101 — but they will ask who you built something with. Related: The 6 Scary Truths About Becoming an Entrepreneur Entrepreneurship is one of the toughest and most rewarding paths you can take. But it doesn't come with a manual — especially not one your parents had. The lessons you need to succeed often fly in the face of conventional wisdom. So let this be your updated guide: Prioritize people over profit. Think in decades, not quarters. And recognize that your social intelligence will often carry you further than any degree. Your mom gave you the basics. Now it's on you to learn the rest — and write your own playbook.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Nigel Farage's Robin Hood tax is nothing more than a gimmick
It will empty out the smarter restaurants of Milan. It will leave the towering apartment blocks of Dubai searching for tenants. And the glistening beaches of the Caribbean will suddenly be a lot emptier. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has set out an ambitious plan to turn Britain back into a global hub for the mega-rich and bring back all the entrepreneurs who have fled. Even better, he claims his proposals will raise money to help the low-paid. But what looks too good to be true often is. As ever, there's a catch: the scheme will create as many problems as it will fix – and it looks like another example of fantasy economics from Reform. As it prepares for a potential Farage-run government, Reform is finally starting to set out some genuine policies. This week it will unveil a bold plan for bringing back the non-doms. Its 'Britannia card' will offer the world's wealthy, as well as returning tax exiles, a very attractive deal. In return for a £250,000 payment they will be exempt their offshore income from UK taxes for 10 years and to shield them from inheritance taxes for two decades. The money raised will be used to fund a dividend paid to the lowest earning 10pc of workers, estimated at £600 to £1,000 a year paid directly into their bank accounts. The 'Robin Hood' tax will raise lots of money from the rich and transfer it to the poor. It is, at least according to the always-upbeat Farage, a win-win for everyone. Of course, there are lots of good points to be made about the Reform plan. The seeming Tory-Labour consensus that the non-doms were a problem has finally been shattered. Farage quite rightly recognises that the exodus of non-doms has drained money, wealth and jobs out of London and elsewhere, and that has turned into a real problem. Likewise, the UK will need to find a way of tempting back all the entrepreneurs who have flooded out of the UK since the catastrophic Labour Budget last October.
Arabian Business
5 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
India and Pakistan lead new business registrations with Dubai Chamber in Q1
Indian-owned companies were the leading foreign group to join the Dubai Chamber of Commerce during the first quarter of 2025, according to a new report. There were 4,543 new Indian businesses registered between January and March of this year, the report said. The figure marks a 4.4 per cent year-over-year increase, highlighting India's dominant position as Dubai's largest foreign business community. The analysis reflects the ongoing strength of international business activity in Dubai and the emirate's appeal to global entrepreneurs across diverse sectors. Top 10 nationalities of new Dubai Chamber members in Q1 2025 India: 4,543 companies (+4.4 per cent YoY) Pakistan: 2,154 companies Egypt: 1,362 companies Bangladesh: 817 companies (+28.5 per cent YoY) United Kingdom: 678 companies Syria: 462 companies Jordan: 350 companies China: 347 companies Türkiye: 329 companies Iraq: 303 companies The wholesale and retail trade sector led the growth, accounting for 36.2 per cent of new company registrations. This was followed closely by:
Entrepreneur
20-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
The Best Defense Against Uncertainty Isn't a Single Strategy — It's a Mindset
In a business environment where the only constant is change, the small business owners who see the most success are the ones leaning into it. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. The small business landscape has never been more complex. Shifting consumer expectations, ongoing macroeconomic headwinds and evolving workforce dynamics are forcing business owners to rethink traditional strategies and embrace more adaptive ways of operating. A decade ago, the playbook looked different. Today, businesses face a swirl of uncertainty — tariff fluctuations, inflationary pressure, late payments and unpredictable policy shifts. Small businesses sit at the epicenter of these changes, asking: What's truly different? What lessons still apply? And how can we continue to adapt and grow in this high-stakes environment? A new reality: Pressure and possibility coexist Challenges are nothing new for entrepreneurs. But today's pressures are more intense, more layered and more sustained. From interest rate uncertainty to global trade tensions, small businesses often lack the cushion larger enterprises rely on to absorb these shocks. Yet in that vulnerability lies strength. Small businesses are uniquely agile. They can pivot faster, stay closer to customers and innovate with purpose. The ability to adapt swiftly is what separates those who merely survive from those who grow stronger in adversity. Related: 7 Reasons to Trust Your Gut When Starting a Business How today's small businesses are future-proofing for growth 1. Start with financial clarity Cash flow is the lifeline of any small business. But clarity goes beyond just watching the bottom line — it means being proactive about payments, forecasting accurately and understanding how external economic trends affect your operations. Late payments and rising costs are disruptive, but preventable. Business owners should work closely with accountants, bookkeepers, and local business groups to interpret policy and economic shifts. Staying informed isn't optional — it's your edge. Leaders who build financial agility into their operations will be far better positioned to seize opportunities and weather shocks. 2. Build operational resilience The pandemic reminded us how fast things can change. Businesses that successfully moved online, adapted their customer experience or adopted new tools proved how vital resilience and nimbleness are. But resilience isn't just for crisis response — it should be baked into your day-to-day operations. Continuity plans, regular process reviews and a willingness to iterate based on feedback are key. Agility is no longer a competitive advantage — it's a survival trait. 3. Innovate with intention Innovation doesn't mean chasing every new tool or trend. As AI and automation reshape industries, small business owners must ask: Is this the right investment now? Will it help solve a real challenge or improve efficiency? True innovation is rooted in purpose. Whether it's embracing digital tools that streamline operations or aligning your brand with social values, growth comes from clarity, not complexity. Technology is a powerful enabler—but only when aligned with your mission and customer needs. Related: How User-Generated Content Helps You Build Trust and Credibility 4. Stay deeply connected to customers Consumer expectations are evolving fast, and agility depends on staying in sync with those shifts. Case in point: nearly 90% of U.S. consumers prefer to pay by card — yet many small businesses still don't accept them. Adapting to preferences like this strengthens loyalty and accelerates cash flow. But flexibility is just part of the picture. Transparent communication — especially when external factors like regulation or supply chain disruptions arise — helps manage expectations and builds trust. Strong customer relationships aren't just good for business — they're the foundation for longevity. Final takeaway: Lean into the unpredictable In today's unpredictable world, the most successful small business owners aren't avoiding change — they're leaning into it. They're arming themselves with insights, embracing flexibility and leading with purpose. That mindset — not any single tactic — is what future-proofs a business.
Entrepreneur
20-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs Can Slash Admin Time With These 2,800+ Attorney-Drafted Templates
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. Entrepreneurs spend roughly 20% to 30% of their time on administrative tasks, according to data from The Alternative Board. If you'd like to cut that down, it's time to meet DocPro Professional Documents. This handy service gives you access to over 2,800 lawyer-approved legal, business, and professional document templates. And right now, a lifetime subscription can be yours for just $159.99 (reg. $199). Cut back on admin time with DocPro's thousands of document templates Entrepreneurs have to draft a lot of documents. Get that time back with DocPro, thanks to thousands of lawyer-drafted templates you can use again and again. And a smart customization feature lets you answer a few questions and automatically fill in the basics to save even more time. From personal letters and tenancy agreements for landlords to legal forms and business agreements, DocPro lets you customize documents with helpful step-by-step guidance to create your own DIY contracts. Just browse the library, customize your template, and then download it in Word format and start using it right away. Need something DocPro doesn't have? You can request a custom document at no additional cost. They're all prepared by lawyers, so you can rest easy knowing you can trust their content. DocPro is already trusted by more than 52,000 members in over 80 jurisdictions. Happy customer Sarah raved, "DocPro has every contract you could want, all easy to customize and ready to use. The interface is simple, and the quality is excellent. Perfect for small businesses trying to save on legal costs." Stop wasting time making documents from scratch with DocPro Professional Documents, now just $159.99 (reg. $199) for a lifetime subscription. StackSocial prices subject to change.
