In the entrepreneurship space, the trend is changing and we are seeing a lot more women, who are breaking the rules of the game, challenging the norm and achieving enormous success.
This is a good thought to celebrate on National Youth Day which is falls on January 12, which marks the birth anniversary of social reformer, philosopher, thinker and youth icon of Indian youth – the great Swami Vivekananda. And, it is a fitting tribute to the great personality that we remember how he can be a source of great inspiration to women entrepreneurs on this day. He was considered to be the source of inspiration that created the nationalism concept, as it were, in colonial India. On this day, many young women entrepreneurs can take their inspiration from him. His teachings, characterised by the pursuit of fearlessness and truth, transcend geography and time. In the age of the start-ups and ‘disruption’, his words ring true, more than ever. It is perhaps fitting that the day of his birth is celebrated in India as National Youth Day.
There are many learnings for women entrepreneurs from the life of the great philosopher and guru. As a young woman finding her way in the startup world, you look for inspiration. If you are a young entrepreneur or aspiring to be one, you can be strengthened by picking up valuable lessons from his statements.
The ’big idea’ is always the starting point. He had observed,“ Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life—think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success”. This is a good starting point that a young woman entrepreneur can take initially, when the idea is germinating in her mind. Success comes to those who are obsessed with an idea. That idea for a product, a service becomes an all-encompassing thought and transforms to single-minded action. You have to live, breathe, sleep the idea before and after it materializes.Hard work begins in the mind much before it is visible. If we look at some of the most successful entrepreneurs of our times, we find they are associated with an idea – one clear thread that runs through their lives. To pursue a dream and turn it into reality, we need to be obsessed with it, be immersed in it.
He said, “The intelligent ones are those who can convert every work into one that suits their taste”. This quote holds true for entrepreneurs much more than it does for professionals. Entrepreneurs are involved in a range of activities – they are working with experts from different fields, and are required to love every aspect of their business – from the beginning like the launch to the final delivery. So, Ms. Entrepreneur has to do it all! She has to use her intelligence and organize the workflow and processes very selectively.
On a high philosophical note, he has said “Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true”. Each entrepreneur must be true to herself. To be able to take people along, inspire them with your vision. You need to know that there are a thousand sides to the same story. If you can’t respect the diversity in your teams, you cannot establish a culture of tolerance and respect.
So, to achieve success on your entrepreneurship journey, you have to basically challenge the status quo, which is again what the spiritual guru did. Today, women are fearlessly following the path they have chosen, and even the glass ceilings that have been put on women are being shattered. In order to hit success in the business world, you must continue to challenge the status quo.
As an entrepreneur you have to constantly be thinking on your feet, and you should not be afraid of questioning any current accepted wisdom. Keep following your goals and you will do something that has never been done or something that really breaks away from the traditional norm. Do not hesitate and welcome all moves.
So arise, awake! And do not stop, your goal is reached!
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
