Why the world needs a limited amount of crazy entrepreneurs
When last have you been called crazy? My most recent claim to fame came over the weekend, doing Check Point Duty for Ultra Trail Drakensberg at 2432m altitude on Khanti Ridge. “Crazy Women,” was the remark that came from one of the competitors of the UTD100 race that passed us, and the best part is he might be right. The best part was that I was on duty with my crazy entrepreneur partner, Rentia Human. Double craziness that I do not want to change for anything in the world.
We had lots of laughs over this comment, but the reality is that it pulls right through to our entrepreneurship venture. Cheering strangers at that altitude in freezing weather in the middle of the night might be crazy, but it is nothing short of having to be crazy to be an entrepreneur.
Crazy Entrepreneurs Give Back Wherever Possible
Why did we sign up for the Khanti Ridge Check Point duty at UTD100 this year? I am a firm believer that you cannot achieve a balanced life if you do not take time out to give back to your community wherever and whoever they are. I have been involved in community projects for as long as I can remember, while my AddShine partner & UTD100 Khanti Ridge accomplice, Rentia Human has been involved in Christian Youth Ministry for almost 20 years! Although one should be involved in your community without expecting anything in return, it does help to build strategic friendships. Entrepreneurs who are part of a community can tap into a diverse pool of skills, experiences, and perspectives, generating new ideas and finding innovative solutions to problems. And ultimately it can help your business to expand.
Crazy Entrepreneurs Do not Conform
Steve Jobs once said: “People who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” I am definitely not close to being in the league of the Steve Jobs’ of the world, but I do believe that conformity is the enemy of all progress. If you keep on doing what everyone else is doing, what are your chances of changing anything meaningful in life? And yes, this has gotten me into so much trouble in the past. I know from experience that it does make life much more complicated. Some of your adventures work out and some fail miserably, but at least you have tried. I’m going for the fact that I need an abundance of stories to tell my grandkids one day.
Crazy Entrepreneurs Push the Boundaries
Being a crazy entrepreneur involves taking risks, being innovative, and helping you to keep on pushing the boundaries. It’s almost like being involved in trail running. A long time ago I started with running Parkrun’s. Now I am busy training to run the Otter Race in October and sometime in the future, I would love to run UTD100 myself. Yes, it would have been much easier to stick with what I know I can do, but where is the fun and exhilaration in that? (As I am typing this up, I can hear the internal fight brewing inside, but it’s never a good idea to get into the middle of a fight.)
Thinking outside of the box, challenging conventional norms, and finding new solutions to problems are part and parcel of an entrepreneur’s life. Your crazy mindset can help to identify opportunities that others may overlook and create innovative products or services that better meet the needs of your customers.
Crazy Entrepreneurs are Driven by Passion
Moreover, crazy entrepreneurs are often driven by a passion for their idea and are willing to take bold action to make it a reality. This can involve making unconventional decisions, taking calculated risks, and being open to failure. While this approach can be intimidating, it can also lead to significant rewards, including financial success and personal fulfillment.
Crazy Entrepreneurs might need more Stability
All this positive talk about crazy entrepreneurs might be a bit one-sided. It is important to remember that being a crazy entrepreneur is not without its challenges. It can be difficult to balance the need for innovation and risk-taking with the need for stability and financial security. It can also be challenging to manage the expectations of investors, customers, and employees, who may not always understand or support the entrepreneur’s unconventional approach. Ask any Steve Jobs or Elon Musk employee.
Crazy Entrepreneurs need Creativity
Ultimately, being a crazy entrepreneur requires a unique combination of creativity, determination, and resilience. It involves being willing to take risks, challenge the status quo, and push the boundaries of what is possible. While it can be a challenging and unpredictable path, it can also be incredibly rewarding for those who are willing to embrace the uncertainty and pursue their dreams with passion and conviction. That is of course if you don’t become an alcoholic before then.
The Bottom Line
You definitely do not have to be crazy to be an entrepreneur, but it can help. If you are a person who craves stability and a clear-cut future, entrepreneurship might not be your thing. And that’s OK too. Imagine a world dominated by crazy entrepreneurs. It would have been more rocky and bumpy than all the races at Ultra Trail Drakensberg combined. And there are definitely not enough photographers to capture those moments!!
If you are crazy enough to take your entrepreneurship up a notch, we’d love to collaborate with you.
