5 Tips To Be Taken Seriously As a Young Entrepreneur

Five tips in an under five-minute read: minimum effort on your part, maximum impact from ours. You don't want to miss this.

1. Dress To Impress: In the world of Google and Facebook, where a casual work environment is becoming something of a cultural phenomenon (napping units seem like a particularly inspired idea), it can seem a little ambiguous which situations warrant suits and formality over jeans and a t-shirt. Young entrepreneurs already face the particularly difficult task of overcoming skepticisms that surround their ability, knowledge, and drive to be able to run a company, best not to give them additional reasons to discredit you. Dressing professionally not only adds to your credibility, but as an individual likely in their late teens or early 20’s, looking put-together conveys a sense of respect that is not often associated with the youth of today. So, by all means, feel free to wear sweats when working from home or even within the confines of your private office space; but when you head out into the world to meet with potential clients or benefactors, dust off that old suit you haven’t touched since your last big presentation in fourth-year undergrad. You can never underestimate the lasting effects of a good first-glance impression.

2. Do Your Research: Prior to meetings with potential investors, clients, etc., look into who you will be meeting with and formulate a way to pitch yourself according to what they’re looking for. What are their values? How does your company and you as a person align with them? Does this mean they should work with you? Preparing answers to these questions will go a long way in convincing prospects why your firm is the perfect remedy for whatever area they are currently lacking in or having an issue with. Understanding your counterpart extends into how you present yourself, unrelated to your firm’s offerings. The perception surrounding the spokesperson directly influences the perception of the company by proxy, so it would be in your best interest to ensure your aesthetic and attitude both align with those of whoever you are interacting with. This could be as simple as determining whether or not you rolling up to your meeting in a fancy sports car alludes to success or excess. If the person you are scheduled to meet is outwardly left-wing, it might be best to leave the Porsche at home and get dropped off in a friend’s trusty Volvo, or even a hybrid if they are known to be environmentally conscious. Slight considerations on your part will undoubtedly aid in establishing a positive relationship with potential associates.

3. Find an Experienced Advisor: Most entrepreneurs make rookie mistakes that would have been completely avoidable had they spoken with a mentor or other experienced advisor. For example, they could provide expertise in areas such as how to set up a company to avoid unnecessary tax implications down the road. In seeking a proper mentor, your best bet would be to look outside of your family since their feedback will likely make you feel good, but, ultimately, may not be the advice you need. A mentor from your industry would be ideal, however, any experienced businessperson would bring value to your startup by giving you a sense of credibility in the same way that a celebrity forward adds credibility to a first-time author. They can also be incredibly helpful to open doors, create introductions, and craft strategy from an early stage onwards. Talking to professors, researching local mentor and entrepreneurial groups, and attending conferences are all excellent ways of finding a mentor.

4. Have an Answer for Everything: The last thing you want is to be caught with your pants down (literally as well as theoretically, we might add). What we mean by this is you always want to appear knowledgeable and in-control of your environment to outside parties. Know how to sell your strengths, but similar to a job interview scenario, also aim to rationalize your weaknesses so they come off as an asset. For instance, others may judge you for using public transit and draw the conclusion that you aren’t successful. If they are less willing to take you seriously as a business partner for fear you aren’t legitimate or a viable option, respond by taking control of the narrative. Explain that yes, you could invest in a cheap car to get you from point A to B, however, you made the conscious decision to support the public transportation system in an effort to contribute to environmental sustainability and, as an added bonus, you save money. This not only adds to your perception of character as an ethical and moral individual with integrity, but also demonstrates your proclivity for business by being cost-effective even within your personal life.

5. Be Passionate and Work Hard: This may appear to go without saying, but it is probably the single most important tip to abide by when getting your company off the ground. Your passion for your project is the first piece of evidence potential investors, hires, and clients see that allows them to glimpse into just how much time, energy, and sheer hard work you are willing to give to the company, not to mention what you are willing to give up. It's also a conduit to creating an equal level of excitement in your counterparts. Our previous post features an interview with Jesse David Thé, founder of Zebu, where he explains how appearing legitimate ultimately comes down to how much effort you put into your company. In his words, “As with many things in life, it’s not the responsibility of others to take you seriously, it’s your responsibility to prove yourself and show people why they should take you seriously”. Well damn, we couldn’t have said it any better.