Tips for entrepreneurs by entrepreneurs, part two!

Thursday, October 5, 2023
by Conrad School faculty

Part two of Tips for Entrepreneurs from Entrepreneurs is here!

Explore some of the top tips from entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial academics who have decades of experience in Waterloo's renowned innovation ecosystem.

Check out part one if you haven't already.

An MBET student smiling and raising their hand in a crowd

Don't allow yourself to...

  1. accept average results. It's the last 1% to 5% of efforts that are the real difference between success and failure.
  2. outgrow your "childish" ambition to change the world.
  3. accept flattery as the truth.
  4. come too serious. That's boring.
  5. be limited by the thoughts of others.
A faculty member teaching in the front of the classroom

Be ready to...

  1. embrace both your leadership and followership roles.
  2. question assumptions.
  3. roll with the inevitable.
  4. embrace opportunities now and figure out how to seize them later.
  5. dance. It may not solve the problem but for a moment, the world will be better.
Students walking on different paths on campus

Always keep...

  1. connected to your true source of peace and happiness.
  2. one thing that is just for you.
  3. investing in yourself. In your education, in your health, in your growth.
  4. to the left, or the right...and sometimes in the middle.
  5. dreaming.

Final pieces of advice!

  1. One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.
  2. Be kind, believe and have fun!
  3. Find something that you are passionate about and do it. Never stop learning.
  4. Stay open to opportunities and people, even (especially!) if they aren’t what you’ve imagined. Learning really is lifelong, but requires intention. Enjoy life as much as you can and learn not to sweat the small stuff.
  5. Any advice will be lost in the sands of time. Time to create your own advice!

Don't allow yourself to either ignore fear or be paralyzed by it. And don't be afraid to say no to anyone.