In the latest episode of The Unsure Entrepreneur Podcast, I caught up with longtime friend David Cohen, an esteemed entrepreneur, coach, and tireless advocate for small business owners. His dedication to empowering new entrepreneurs made for an enlightening and inspiring conversation.
With a diverse background in coaching, teaching, writing, radio, and hosting a podcast, David brings a comprehensive approach to supporting every entrepreneur he meets. His motivational book, Live Life Swift, inspires readers to chase their entrepreneurial dreams with determination and clarity. Additionally, David has created YourBigVenture.com, a platform offering support, training, and confidence-building resources to empower young people to achieve entrepreneurial success. He's about to add a membership component to the site.
Sales is "not rocket science."
In the podcast, David emphasizes the importance of selling skills for new entrepreneurs. "If you learn how to sell, you'll never work for somebody else again," he states.
"The benefit of selling and learning how to sell is that you will control your destiny if you know how to relate to people and give people what they want," explains David. "And it's not rocket science. It's not something scary. It's just, hey, here's who I am. I have an idea. I think I have something that you might be interested in. And then it flows from there."
In the podcast episode, we also talk about the importance of thorough research before starting a business. "Understanding costs, market needs, and potential risks can save time, money, and energy," he advises. This research helps entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls and set a strong foundation for their ventures.
"Look around — there is capital available."
One of the significant barriers young entrepreneurs face is access to capital. David suggests exploring various resources, such as local economic development offices, banks, and organizations like Futurpreneur and the Business Development Bank of Canada. "Look around —there is capital available," he says, adding it's wise to get friendly with local resources that can provide the necessary funding and support.
Mentorship and community support are also crucial for entrepreneurial success. David encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to seek mentors within their industry, whether through personal connections or professional associations. Engaging with mentors, joining networking groups, and participating in mastermind teams can fast-track entrepreneurial success and provide valuable guidance.
David also touches on the importance of staying passionate and engaged in one's business.
He advises entrepreneurs to introduce new products or services around the five-year mark to stay engaged and avoid burnout. "When we're bored and not engaged, we make mistakes. Keep yourself fresh by introducing something new," he recommends.
Try it out on a small scale."
For those on the fence about starting their entrepreneurial journey, David's advice is to start small and get that first customer. "Try it out on a small scale. Understand what you're getting into by doing the research and knowing the ins and outs of it," he suggests. Test ideas, gain confidence, and gradually build the businesses.
For many years, I've admired David's passion and devotion for helping new entrepreneurs in everything he does. He's a beacon for those looking to succeed in their own small business.
[Photo credit: David Cohen]
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