Ben's Blog

Category: Entrepreneurship

  • We are not our ideas

    For better or worse, we are not our ideas. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking we are either the world’s biggest idiot (when something fails) or too brilliant for our own good (when we succeed).

    The truth is, our ideas don’t belong to us. They are simply out there in the world, floating around waiting for someone to stumble upon them.

    The goal is to bring these ideas into our world and kick them around until they are solidified.

    If someone comes along and makes the idea better, bringing it one step closer to its final form, it’s not uncommon to get upset.

    More often than not, we either feel personally attacked because we identify too closely with the idea, or we wish we had been the one that thought of how to improve it.

    In reality, you didn’t think of the first idea either. No matter how brilliant or dumb it may be, it was never yours.

  • Non-negotiable Work

    We must stop negotiating with ourselves.

    Work is not something we can wait to feel motivated for.

    It’s something we show up for—because it anchors us.

    It energizes the rest of our day.

    It’s not a burden, but a blessing.

    A way to build momentum.

    We are not a victim of our work—we are a servant to our calling.

  • People Want to Help

    Here’s something I’ve learned the more I put myself out there:

    People want to help.

    Especially the ones who’ve already “made it.”

    Because someone helped them too.

    It might be in the form of advice. A quick note on your idea. A warm intro. A word of encouragement.

    Most people won’t completely shut you down.

    Sometimes a lunch turns into a coffee. A coffee into a quick call. A call into a text or email that answers your questions.

    That’s not failure. That’s just what it’s like to deal with busy people.

    It’s not a no. It’s just life.

    The world is way bigger than we think.

    Don’t take it personal. Show gratitude. Move on to the next one regardless of the last outcome.

    Send the email. Make the phone call. Go to that networking event.

    That’s how momentum builds.

  • Three Ways to Move Fast

    Get really good at saying, “no.”

    Get really good at hearing, “no.”

    Get really good at asking for help.

  • Freelancer vs Entrepreneur

    I didn’t understand the difference until I lived it.

    Here’s how I’d explain it to a teenager who’s thinking about getting into business:

    Billy and Sarah both get $1,000 for Christmas.

    Billy uses $750 to buy a new camera. He spends the other $250 on a videography course. A few weeks later, someone hires him to shoot a wedding. Then a real estate gig. Then a music video.

    Billy’s good at what he does. People like working with him. So, he keeps doing it.

    Billy is a freelancer.

    Now Sarah, she does something different.

    She holds onto her $1,000 until she has a spark. A vision. She wants to build a fitness brand.

    She spends $500 to bring on a consultant—someone who’s already built a successful fitness business. Then she uses the other $500 to test her idea. She runs ads to see who’s interested, gathers feedback, and takes one step at a time.

    She opens up a line of credit at the bank. She hires trainers, rents a gym, and then steps back and lets them do what they have specific knowledge in. She’s still involved—but now she spends most of her time on creating a positive environment for her staff and clients to thrive.

    Sarah is an entrepreneur.

    Billy works in the business. Sarah works on the business.

    Freelancers make money when they work. Entrepreneurs make money when they sleep.

    One path builds a life around your skill. The other builds something that lives beyond your skill.

    Neither path is wrong.