[box] The secrets I learned from parenting prepared me for entrepreneurship.[/box] 

       Parenting to entrepreneurship is a journey, like building a business. No matter the preparation, parenthood is still approached with a little sense of fear. In reality, fear of failure is masked as a high standard to succeed, also known as being a perfectionist. The need to have things perfect creates doubt and hesitation in one’s abilities to make decisions. Like many parents, I too pondered the following: I said self. Self said,“huh.” I replied, “Are we prepared/equipped for the role of parenting?”  “Can we handle the responsibilities?” “Do we have what it takes to get the job done?” “How do I know if I’m doing this right?” “Do I  have enough experience or education?”  Becoming an entrepreneur, I asked similar questions. 

Continue Reading to discover: How parenting is connected to entrepreneurship. This is my story…  

       Were you like me, found yourself preparing before the baby’s arrival? Yes, I too read What to Expect When Expecting, baby-proofed the house and car, took prenatal vitamins, and coordinated the nursery. Yet, I still found myself unprepared for parenting. Little did I know, I was becoming equipped with the right tools, before I was placed in a position to use them! I discovered motherhood is like entrepreneurship. You have to nurture both. Nurture means to care for and encourage growth or development. 

[box] 1st Secret: What I learned from parenting, I transferred to entrepreneurship. Each day you have to develop and grow your business[/box]

               You can study what it takes to become a parent, but until you walk in a parent’s shoes you haven’t yet learned what to do. This is the same for entrepreneurship. I studied and graduated with two degrees: (undergraduate) Business Marketing & (masters) MBA – Marketing, {Academic Knowledge}.  My education supplied academic knowledge and life application supplied the skills set (expertise) needed for entrepreneurship.   

Pop Quiz: Did you notice a pattern in parenting and entrepreneurship? Hint: Preparing. Studying. Gaining Knowledge. Applying Wisdom. So what’s the formula? 

Academic Knowledge (+) Life Application = Entrepreneurship 

Knowledge (+) Application (+) Good Judgement = Wisdom

       [box] 2nd Secret: Parent is to the child, as the teacher is to the student.[/box] 

       Each one teaches one. Whether you are a parent, entrepreneur, or business owner etc. we are all managers. In a manager’s position, some students will feel you are hard on them, because you are firm. Good parents/teachers know how to be firm and when to show grace. Being firm creates discipline and structure. Both are skills needed as an entrepreneur. An entrepreneur is one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise. 

          As a parent I discovered…. Don’t walk away as your child is learning. Be patient and step to the side. Let them know your presence is present to assist and guide them. It’s their responsibility to do the work. You might be eager to take over, but resist it. Resist the eagerness to take over and complete the task at hand for them. The only way the student/child will learn is if they actively participate for themselves. Teachers have to be interactive to educate students. This interaction leads to student participation, which creates an excitement needed for learning. 

[box] 3rd Secret: Communication is always connected to listening.[/box]

               Potential reasons for lack of communication: overthinking, not explaining the lesson well, or comprehension problems. This can come from the teacher or the student. Students who overthink tend to have a high standard to succeed. Subconsciously, this can create a fear of failure and produce the need to be perfect. It’s important to face our fears. Then create  positive solutions. Need Help? Click the link to see @McCoySolutions_ create, execute, and measure goals to increase your company’s business.  

For example: A parent/teacher asks the child/student a question. The student doesn’t know the answer. Then becomes fearful, thinking he or she might be reprimanded. Being afraid the student doesn’t know the answer, he or she overthinks. Then quickly yells out what they think the teacher wants to hear. Being afraid of not knowing the answer led me to overthinking and created a sense of fear. When students start overthinking, they make things harder on themselves. They overthink about not knowing the answer and how it could lead to being reprimanded. 

The unknown can create fear, but you have to replace fear with faith.  False. Evidence. Appearing. Real. (fear) with Forsaking. All. I. Trust. Him (faith). It is difficult to trust the unknown, but putting your hope in God makes the road a little easier. Read our previous blog “Faith It, Til You Make It” for details on how to walk by faith.

Having a healthy fear is a sign of respect, just like how we reference “Fear the Lord.” Be careful not to abuse your power as a business owner or parent. These positions are managers. It’s important to use wisdom when teaching. Your gifts will make room for you and bring you before great men. Being a parent and entrepreneur is a gift from God. This is a high honor. 

Conclusion 

A parent is a teacher, coach, etc. A true coach will journey to the end of a course and jump with their students to their next level. The beauty of remaining with the student is the teacher’s ability to remain humble and learn from the students while they continue to teach. It’s common for a teacher to be older than their students, but as an entrepreneur the teacher can be younger. Teaching is based on academic knowledge and life application ( the experience). An entrepreneur is a disciplined person who learns how to adapt, create, and innovate. Ultimately these are the skills I learned from parenting. Then transferred to entrepreneurship.  

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