Entrepreneurship scares people.

And it’s no wonder why. You’re abandoning the familiar routines and regular paychecks of your 9-to-5 for something uncertain and unfamiliar.

You have to face a lot of fears.

There are the financial fears. Are you going to be able to pay your bills?

There’s the fear of overwhelm. Anything new can be daunting. And it seems like as an entrepreneur you’ll face challenges and obstacles that you’ve never faced before.

There’s the fear of failure. Not accomplishing what you set out to do is one of the worst feelings in the world. And entrepreneurship seems to expose you to fear of failure like nothing else.

The result? Entrepreneurship feels like a Pandora’s box that’s better left closed.

But here’s the truth—entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be scary. And if you make and follow a solid plan, it is possible to achieve personal and financial freedom. You can reach the entrepreneur lifestyle.

Again, it’s no wonder why. When you abandon the routines and paychecks of your 9-to-5, you face more than fear—you face unlimited freedom.

As an entrepreneur, you have the power to control your own time. You work whenever you want, not at your boss’s whim.

As an entrepreneur, you make your own decisions. No more watching your ideas bog down in red tape and bureaucracy.

As an entrepreneur, you pursue your own potential. You reap the rewards of your hard work, not your boss.

In short, entrepreneurship gives you the power to just live your life on your terms, not someone else’s.

It’s like Cicero once said…

“What then is freedom? The power to live as one wishes.”

All that’s standing between you and the power to live as you wish is fear. And with the right planning, system, and mentorship, that fear can be overcome.

That’s why I’m a leader with e2E. Because that’s my mission—to free employees from fear so they can become entrepreneurs.

Good news—you don’t have to invent a brand new product to start a business.

Did your plumber invent the plunger? Probably not. Instead of a brand-new product, he or she offers skills that can make your overflowing toilet problem a thing of the past.

Jeff Bezos didn’t come up with the idea of printed books, but he offered a revolutionary service that connected customers to vendors online.

Rockefeller didn’t reinvent oil drilling. Instead, he innovated a new, horizontal business model that effectively buried his competition.

Remember—the foundation of successful entrepreneurship is finding solutions. Sure, you might invent a brand new gizmo that solves some of the world’s problems. But you don’t have to.

Search “what entrepreneurship means,” and you’ll find definitions like these…

“Entrepreneurship is the process of developing, organizing, and running a new business to generate profit while taking on financial risk.” —Shopify

“Entrepreneurship is highly risky but also can be highly rewarding” —Investopedia

“Entrepreneurship is the act of creating a business or businesses while bearing all the risks with the hope of making a profit.” —Oberlo

In short, risk is baked into entrepreneurship.

But risk can feel like an insurmountable obstacle to those who have no room in their budget. Starting up a new business may not be possible if they are counting on all of their income to feed their families, pay the bills, and cover necessities, much less have anything left over for emergencies.

Entrepreneurship then becomes the realm of those with a financial cushion—or with nothing to lose.

And that’s exactly what e2E seeks to redefine.

The core philosophy of e2E is that success as an entrepreneur is based on the ability to follow systems and leadership—not on your ability to create a business from scratch.

That looks like providing employees seeking to become entrepreneurs with…

• Lower startup and operating costs • Marketing and technology • Proven systems and products • Training and mentorship

Is there still risk involved in making the leap from employee to entrepreneur? Of course!

But with the benefits above, you have a leg up on the barriers that prevent so many from starting the business they desperately desire.

If you’re curious about what redefining entrepreneurship could look like for you, let’s chat! We’ll explore your goals, your motivations, and what making the move could look like for you.

Student entrepreneurs have defined the last two decades.

Google, Facebook, Reddit, and Snapchat were all founded by students, ranging from undergraduates to Ph.D. candidates.

It’s an intimidating list! But here’s the good news—you don’t have to attend Stanford or develop an app to become a student entrepreneur.

All you need is a skill that you can leverage as a solution for your peers and the time to make it happen.

It could be tutoring your favorite subject. It could be leveraging your writing skills to make money. It could even be creating an app for your fellow students.

And if your business takes off, you may find your eyes glazing over in class as you dream up new ways to move your business forward.

As other doors close, the one to entrepreneurship remains wide open.

It’s no secret that there’s an uprising among employees. It’s called the Great Resignation. The cause? The fact that workers…

-Want to earn more money

-Feel burned out and unsupported

-Lack leadership and mentorship¹

And so they’ve quit in the millions.

Can you relate to that? Do you feel like your boss doesn’t really care about your well-being or career? Is your gut telling you that your talents could be earning you more?

Perhaps you’ve worked hard for a raise, only to get passed over in favor of someone less qualified.

Or maybe you’ve explored new opportunities, only to find employers are requiring outrageous qualifications for little pay.

Plan A was getting a promotion. Plan B was getting a new job. And now, both seem impossible.

So what’s next? “Plan E”, the path to entrepreneurship.

Your Plan E leads to the entrepreneur lifestyle—owning your day, working when you want, collaborating with whomever you like.

It’s your escape plan for making a smooth transition from where you are now to the business and lifestyle you want. This plan gives you an easier way by lowering risks and removing obstacles. And most importantly, your ‘Plan E’ can put you in the helping hands of experienced mentors who can guide you on your journey.

Make no mistake—there will always be stumbling blocks along the road to building a business.

But a solid plan can keep you moving forward in spite of those hiccups so you’re not forced to retreat back to employment. It’s the difference between hitting a dead end or hitting the mark.

Any successful “Plan E” must assess…

The Risks that can end an entrepreneur’s dreams

The Reality that the most rewarding success will also be the most painful to earn

The Mindset that you’re either growing or dying

The Answers about which industry and market you’ll serve—and how.

The People you go into business with who are critical to success

The Options of going into business spare-time, part-time, or full-time

The “E-Factor” of becoming a digitally-enabled entrepreneur

You don’t need permission. Once you’ve made your “Plan E”, you’re free to begin your mission. You’re ready to make the move.

If you have any questions about entrepreneurship, let me know. As part of the e2E movement, it’d be my privilege to help guide you from employee to entrepreneur.

Entrepreneurship, in large part, is a skill. More accurately, it’s a composite of a few skills.

To run a successful business, you’ll need to learn a thing or two about sales, management, products, finances, taxes, law, contracts, marketing, and personal development.

And for many, those skills are learned crash course style. Entrepreneurs take the plunge, and either swim or sink.

To some, that path to entrepreneurship is an exciting challenge. An adventure! Let’s go all in and do this!

But others who want to forge their own path in business might have some reservations about winging it and figuring things out as you go. Is there a path to entrepreneurship besides flying by the seat of your pants?

The answer seems to be an emphatic yes.

For example, Max Lytvin, co-founder of Grammarly, swears by university. His MBA in Marketing and Finance compensated for a lack of mentorship and equipped him with specific, technical skills.¹

But it’s not the only route. In fact, only 17% of entrepreneurs have a bachelor’s degree, 18% have a master’s degree, and 4% have a PhD.²

Bill Gates skipped class and went straight into business. His legacy speaks for itself.

That being said, Bill Gates was still taught about entrepreneurship—though he dropped out of college, he learned the ropes from a mentor. In his case, his mentor was billionaire Warren Buffett.

The takeaway? Entrepreneurship, like any other skill, can be learned and taught.

For some, that takes place in a classroom. Others learn from an experienced mentor.

If you have the luxury of time and money for a degree, go for it.

If not, let’s talk. My mission is to free employees to become entrepreneurs. And that starts with mentorship. It’s a simple way to learn how entrepreneurship works, and get your journey towards owning your own business started.

There are two ways to think about failure. One leads to unrealized potential. The other leads to overcoming obstacles.

But they don’t start where you might think. They’re actually both rooted in how you think about your ability.

The first mindset thinks ability is inherent. When you accomplish something, you’re proving that you have innate talent, and maybe even superiority over your peers.

The second mindset thinks ability can be developed. They see accomplishment as the result of problem-solving, practice, and effort.

See where this is going?

Adopt the first mindset, and you’ll see failure as an indicator that you are not enough. You failed because, on a fundamental level, you don’t have what it takes.

And those thoughts are the enemy of success. Why put in the effort if you believe you’ll fail just because of who you are?

Adopt the second mindset, and you’ll see failure as an indicator that you’re not quite there yet. Tweak this and hone that, and you’ll overcome your obstacles in now time.

That’s the mindset of success. Once you see your effort transform failure into triumph, you may find yourself almost addicted to developing your skills.

Which mindset have you adopted?

The research seems to show that yes, entrepreneurs are born.

This excellent article from Entrepreneur breaks down the data. And both a survey of twins and exploration of data suggest that entrepreneurial tendencies are inheritable.

In other words, some people are just born entrepreneurs.

But there’s an important caveat that the article wisely includes.

Having entrepreneurial tendencies doesn’t guarantee you’ll be successful.

That’s because success is determined by experience. Research shows that age and industry knowledge play a crucial role in determining entrepreneur success.¹

Think of it like this…

That urge you have to create and accomplish and seize opportunities? You’re born with that.

Converting that drive into a successful business? That’s made.

Entrepreneurs are born. Successful entrepreneurs are made.

So if you’re driven to own your own business, what steps have you taken to become a successful entrepreneur?

Have you started a side hustle? Have you found a support network of aspiring entrepreneurs? What about a mentor who’s started a successful business?

Find those, and you might be on the path towards turning your entrepreneurial potential into successful business reality.

There is no single path to entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurs come from every country, background, skillset, and career you can think of.

They’re an assortment of dropouts, dreamers, stay-at-home moms, restless executives, blue collar workers, the young, the old, and everyone in between.

What they all have in common is boldness—they see an opportunity, and they seize it.

Will they become successful entrepreneurs? That depends. If they find the right opportunity, the right business plan, and the right support, it becomes far more likely.

That’s the entire purpose of e2E—it’s a movement of entrepreneurs dedicated to mentoring anyone seeking to make the move from employee to entrepreneur.

So if you have the ambition to start a business, but feel overwhelmed by the prospect of entrepreneurship, let’s talk. We can discover what it would look like for you to transform your path into a path towards entrepreneurship.

It’s simple—the things you actually want are painful to earn. The things you settle for don’t.

That doesn’t mean settling is easy. There’s a price for apathy. It just comes further down the road. And often, it’s unbearable.

The alternative? Striving for the things that are worthwhile.

If you’re reading this article, that likely means taking the plunge and starting a business.

Why? Because it’s the only way you’ll create the freedom you actually want. No other path gives absolute responsibility over your destiny.

And yeah, it’ll be hard.

Your business often comes before family.

Your comfort zone becomes a thing of the past.

Fun gets indefinitely paused.

It will be worth it—if you endure it.

And the only way you’ll endure it is if you embrace reality from the start. Recognize that the most rewarding success will be the most painful to earn right now. Own it. Then, start building your future.

You’re never too old to become an entrepreneur.

The 21st-century image of the 25-year-old tech wizard creating a disruptive startup and becoming a billionaire is largely a fiction.

The data is clear—entrepreneurs find their greatest success at age 45.¹

Some entrepreneurs start even later. Ray Kroc was a 52-year-old salesman for milkshake makers when he discovered a local restaurant. The owners? Richard and Maurice McDonald. He was almost 60 years old by the time he bought the restaurant chain outright.

If Kroc wasn’t too old to become an entrepreneur, neither are you.

So no matter your age, your previous career, or your current circumstances, it’s never too late to make the move.

Only one question remains—what’s holding you back?

Considering entrepreneurship? Answer these two questions…

Who are the people you pour your money and time into the most?

And…

What is the accomplishment, pursuit, lifestyle, or dream that drives you?

Your answers to these questions are what inspires you.

They’re your two whys.

And when things get tough, they’ll be what keeps you going.

So, what are your two whys?

For entrepreneurs, failure isn’t an option—it’s a requirement.

Some will be small. You’ll try a marketing campaign that flops. You’ll launch a product that fizzles.

Others will be bigger. You’ll lose a key team member. You’ll make a strategic misstep. You’ll feel like you’re about to drown and not know which way is up.

Those failures suck. They hurt. But they’re absolutely critical.

Why? Because there’s no better teacher than failure.

That awful feeling you get when something goes wrong? That’s your brain telling you that you need to change what you’re doing.

In order to succeed, you have to be willing to fail. You have to be okay with making mistakes and learning from them.

So the next time you experience a failure (and you will), don’t beat yourself up. Embrace it. Learn from it. And keep moving forward.