As an entrepreneur, how far will you go? Do you expect your firm to be highlighted in magazines, to grow year after year, and to have a global impact?
First and foremost, let me reassure you that your dreams are achievable. The only catch is that everyone has the ability to achieve greatness. It’s all about building the appropriate habits for success to go from feasible to probable.
Dre London (born Andre Jackson) chats to Tristan Ahumada, SUCCESS People Editor, on what entrepreneurs need to succeed in this episode of Brilliant Thoughts.
Kruel London (women’s premium footwear), London Entertainment Inc. (music management), and AUX Live are the three companies London founded and leads (streaming platform). London is credited with discovering music singer Post Malone, and in 2019 he was voted Variety’s Manager of the Year. Tyga, Tyla Yahweh, and, of course, Post Malone are among his management clients.
Here are the four practices that let London go from serial dreamer to successful entrepreneur.
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Pay Attention to Your Instincts.
Some business owners struggle to find a way to expand their company. But what if the true issue isn’t the “finding” half of the equation? What if we simply can’t perceive the possibilities?
According to London, the easiest method to see something that isn’t there is to trust your instincts. It’s what champions do to succeed in whatever they’re after. People like LeBron James, Mike Tyson, and Michael Jordan are fantastic examples: they pushed the limits of what was possible in sports and in life no matter what.
“I see things that others don’t,” London adds, “and that’s what entrepreneurs do.” “I see things in places where others would not see a benefit.” They might not realize where that door could lead. “I can see the entire horizon.”
Look beyond “what is” to become a better opportunist. On the surface, a project may appear unappealing, but what will you get after putting in some effort?
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Pursue Your Dreams As Soon As Possible.
If you have a business or product concept, get to work on it right away. Waiting even one month allows a competitor to walk through the door.
Just before the pandemic, London had a life-changing notion. What if, instead of attending live acts in person, fans could watch live shows on their phones? It would be similar to pay-per-view television, but for the music industry.
He put the concept on hold for a time, but a Post Malone concert reignited his interest. The live-streamed event was a tremendous hit, but London had noticed something else as well. Post Malone performed a Nirvana tribute at the event, which drew 200,000 viewers in a row and a total of 1 million views. That was enough proof for him to establish AUX Live, a platform for live streaming events throughout the world.
“I thought to myself, ‘If I don’t do this now, someone else will,'” he explains. “As a result, I looked at a lot of various models.” I checked Netflix and Amazon Prime. ‘There is no single streaming platform for live entertainment,’ I replied after looking at everything. “I’m going to develop the Netflix of life,” I remarked as I looked at it.”
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Treat Entrepreneurship As if it Were a Game.
Any entrepreneur’s journey includes being knocked down. Even if you win more than you lose, you will have setbacks. But don’t give up if you truly believe you’re on the correct track. Treat entrepreneurship like a sport instead.
This mindset allows you to comprehend the following:
You won’t win a championship every year, which in business normally translates to increased revenue or profit.
There will be better teams in future years. That isn’t to say you had no accomplishments. Instead of producing more money, you may have met your hiring or marketing objectives.
It’s only a matter of time before you’re knocked out. To stay in the game, you must get up.
Plus, according to London, sports and entrepreneurship use the same business models. Employees (players), employers (coaches), and franchise owners are all present.
He asks, “How is it any different than Netflix?” “How is it different from Amazon?” you might wonder. What makes it different from the US government?… How are they going to win if there isn’t communication from the franchise owner to the manager to the coach to get the players to perform well?”
Using a Do-it-Yourself Method, You Can Grow Your Firm.
It’s always wonderful to have access to venture money or bank loans, but before you do, think about what you already have. You might not need as much money to start a business as you believe. What connections or expertise can you draw on?
London, for example, has a thriving music industry. To generate new ventures, he can draw on a variety of resources and relationships.
High Heel, a TV crime drama that London executive produces, is one of such projects. Tyga and Post Malone are both listed as producers on the show. In addition, London exploits his women’s footwear collection as a significant plot point in the film.
He explains, “I basically like to use all of the accouterments around me to build a world.”
Are there any dangers to developing something on your own? Yes, but that’s all part of the joy (and game) of being an entrepreneur.
“Ninety-nine percent of the time, the risk is rewarded,” London claims. “So you don’t see the reward—the R and R moment—if you don’t take the risk.”