When the topic of entrepreneurial hotbeds comes up, Kirkwood, Missouri, may not spring to mind, but that’s where I witnessed an entrepreneur’s challenges and successes for the first time.
The entrepreneur was my mom, who built a successful real estate business in my hometown while simultaneously raising my 10 siblings and me. Mom’s business success didn’t come from luck.
It was the result of her ability to cultivate relationships, provide exceptional client service and — though we didn’t use these words at the time — build her brand. Through her experiences, I learned something new about entrepreneurship every day.
What do entrepreneurs possess that makes them rise to the top when others don’t? In my experience, here’s what separates market leaders from the rest.
Market leaders create great employee environments
Many companies invest in their employees, helping them develop skills to match the demands of the business. Market leaders also create flexible environments that allow for both professional and personal success, and make sure employees are comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work.
Mom did just that with my siblings and me. She was instrumental in helping us to identify our natural skills and helped us find our own paths. There were no expectations to fit a certain mold; instead, she made each of us feel special in the role we had on our family’s team. When each individual is culturally aligned, connected, motivated and finding meaning in their careers, they can accomplish any goal.
Market leaders create positive customer experiences
Businesses that don’t think about customer needs won’t get very far. Mom was a shining example of that. She never saw her business as selling homes; she saw it as helping families.
The exceptional entrepreneurs I’ve met never stop thinking about how to keep delivering for each and every customer. They know that making promises they can’t fulfill will only result in a damaged brand and an unhappy customer.
Market leaders celebrate success
The need for affirmation is universal, and my parents made each and every one of my 10 siblings and me feel appreciated. When it comes to getting recognition, entrepreneurs who are creating jobs, disrupting the status quo and driving the economy are among the most worthy.
That’s one reason EY founded the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards, now in its 28th year. Time and again, entrepreneurs who have participated in the program tell us that when they become Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists or award recipients, it’s a proud moment for their employees and their customers.
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ program provides finalists with a platform to tell their stories, see how far they have come, celebrate their accomplishments and propel them toward their next big idea, while connecting them with other market-leading entrepreneurs across industries and geographies.
As we look forward into 2015, recognize that it’s people who drive business success.
Whether yours is a local real estate business or a global company who’s made it to the top, your fortunes aren’t dependent upon luck, but more likely will be determined by how well you care for and recognize your employees, your customers and yourself. ●
