It takes a serious commitment to start a business in Thailand. Being an entrepreneur can be tremendously rewarding, but it is hard work. The first thing that any startup business owner would tell an aspiring entrepreneur is that success doesn’t come overnight; ultimately, it doesn’t come easy. It always starts with an idea, then a plan, and is followed by the implementation of the strategy. Perhaps one of the most crucial ingredients of being an entrepreneur is to know how to take charge of turning their idea into a fully operational business.
To understand what makes a successful startup entrepreneur, they first need to know what entrepreneurship is. Entrepreneurship is commonly thought of as the process of starting a business – and multiple factors that come with it, including coming up with a strong sales and marketing strategy, seeking legal advice from experienced startup specialists, and some initial funding. If aspiring entrepreneurs are thinking about launching their own venture, then they might be wondering if they have what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
There’s no such thing as a perfect entrepreneur, but there are certain qualities that successful startup business owners have that make them stand out from the rest. These qualities go beyond entrepreneurial knowledge and skill set. Being an entrepreneur is challenging, but those with these characteristics have the potential to be successful.
Visionary
Behind all great start-ups is a vision – that means not only is the vision the very foundation of the company itself, but it can often also be the key for its business growth. Successful startup entrepreneurs are visionaries who can see exactly what their business is going to look like in every detail when it is finished. They have an idea of what they want their business in Thailand to look like in the future and can concisely articulate its purpose, goals, and market position. They are creative thinkers with vision who see opportunities before others do and move forward to capitalize on them. Successful entrepreneurs with vision also can influence others that their vision is possible and desirable. Not only do they believe it, but they also have a constant and burning desire to achieve that ideal.
Passion
Being an entrepreneur, especially when starting a company in Thailand, is difficult. There are high highs and lows. That’s where passion comes into play. Passion is one of the most significant factors startup business owners must have to excel in their business – it is the fuel that drives every entrepreneur to succeed. When they have a passion for managing a business, it motivates them to persevere no matter the challenges that may come their way. Entrepreneurs should be passionate about the products they create or the services they provide. They should be passionate about solving the problems their businesses face or about improving the lives of their customers. It is the desire and the ability to go beyond any odds to achieve the needed outcomes. It powers the hard work, determination, and creativity to reach their goals and attain the significant accomplishments possible. Passion will help entrepreneurs succeed in the industry, making them likable, relatable, and engaging. Keep in mind that entrepreneurs who have passion are more bound to succeed in their business than those who don’t.
Confidence
Becoming an entrepreneur is not an easy task! In the business industry, it is easy to become demoralized, frustrated, and resentful if an entrepreneur lacks self-confidence. They may face rejection along the way and setbacks might be a likely outcome of any startup business venture, but successful entrepreneurs have the confidence to keep going, bounce back, and believe they will overcome the challenges. They must believe in their abilities and that the market will be interested in their ideas and that they can deliver them to the public. Moreover, entrepreneurs must know themselves well — their strengths and weaknesses — and play to their strengths. They are not scared to explore, take risks, and make difficult decisions. The confidence that they have allows them to make valuable decisions that are necessary for running a successful business and enables them to lead their teams.
Determination and Perseverance
One of the most common reasons for entrepreneurs to fail and face business closure is a lack of determination and persistence. People may romanticize the life of an entrepreneur, especially venturing into foreign investment in Thailand. But in reality, the cost of running a business is taxing – it’s difficult and often unglamorous. Many entrepreneurs fail because they give up at the first sign of difficulty. Keep in mind that the hardest part of entrepreneurship isn’t finding the initial spark. It is the few months in or even years in the industry once entrepreneurs realize their business isn’t moving as fast as they want it to. However, every success story includes an element of determination and perseverance. With these qualities, entrepreneurs can overcome obstacles and setbacks and often win out against odds that many people consider insurmountable.
Focused
One of the dangers of too much enthusiasm is the willingness to be all things to all people, trying to benefit from every potential opportunity. The problem with that is that entrepreneurs can suffer from a lack of focus. If they are putting both time and effort into doing lots of different things, they could easily wind up doing them, at best, in an average way that offers no competitive edge. If entrepreneurs don’t focus on one thing, such as strategic business planning, it may be difficult for their potential customers to quickly get a handle on what it is that they are offering. To be truly successful, entrepreneurs need to be ruthless with their time management, opportunity management, and resource allocation. They should learn how to say no and focus on what’s important when running a business.
Adaptable and Flexible
In the fast-paced business world, change is inevitable. It changes all the time, and entrepreneurs have to be ready for it. Startup businesses today must adjust and conform to the latest standards on a nearly real-time basis. This calls for increased focus on developing and establishing the traits of flexibility and adaptability. To stay competitive, entrepreneurs must be open to new ideas and concepts. Their willingness to adapt in such situations essentially determines one’s level of determination to succeed. Entrepreneurs should know and understand that adapting to changing conditions is an essential part of running their lives and their businesses. The business landscape changes all the time, and they have to be ready for it. Without adaptability and flexibility, entrepreneurs are going to find themselves in serious business trouble.
Takeaway:
Managing a business startup can be rewarding, but not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. Before leaping into entrepreneurship, aspiring entrepreneurs should ask themselves if they have what it takes to be successful. There’s no right or wrong way to be a successful entrepreneur. However, it takes a long road to achieve it. While there is no one-size-fits-all strategy to succeed in the industry, running a business still demands a great dose of knowledge, skills, and attitude to make the journey worthwhile.
Keep in mind that entrepreneurship is both a challenge and a great opportunity, and it takes certain qualities to be successful. Thus, understanding these qualities is a strong start. The good news is that successful entrepreneurs don’t do it alone. Professional consultants are there to guide them to become better and reach their business goals.
Interesting Reads:
- Expanding into Thailand? A Consultant Can Help You Succeed
- Growing and scaling a successful social enterprise in Thailand
- What you should consider before doing business in SE Asia
- How to do business in Asia when you are not based in Asia