Entrepreneurship: The Journey that Transforms Ideas into Realities

Hello, I'm Rubén Águila. And today I'm here to talk to you about entrepreneurship. But before you think I'm going to give you an academic rant full of boring definitions, let me tell you something: we're not going to waste time here. I want you to feel like you're having coffee with me, while I tell you what I've learned about the art (and madness) of entrepreneurship.

Because yes, my friend, entrepreneurship is an art. But it's also crazy.

What is Entrepreneurship?

Let's start with the basics, because you're probably asking yourself: "Ruben, what exactly is entrepreneurship?" And I'm glad you asked. Entrepreneurship is, simply put, taking an idea and turning it into reality. But not just any idea; it's one that resonates with you, that makes you get up early and stay up late. It's that spark that lights a fire in your chest and makes you say: "I can do this better!"

Entrepreneurship is a journey. There are no shortcuts, no easy paths, much less magic formulas. Does that seem overwhelming to you? It should. Because entrepreneurship is not for everyone. It takes guts, perseverance and, above all, a skin as thick as a rhino's.

The Myths of Entrepreneurship

There are a lot of myths floating around about what it means to be an entrepreneur. And let me tell you, most of them are garbage.

Myth 1: "Entrepreneurship is being your own boss."
Well, in theory yes, but in reality you become your own worst boss. You're the one making demands on yourself, pushing yourself, berating yourself for mistakes. And there's no one else to blame.

Myth 2: "Entrepreneurship is immediate financial freedom."
Ha! Let me laugh for a while. At first, you'll be closer to the freedom to eat instant noodles every day than to being a millionaire. Financial freedom comes, but after a lot of hard work, sacrifices and, sometimes, a bit of luck.

Myth 3: "Entrepreneurship is only for geniuses or super creative people."
Let me tell you something: I'm not a genius. And most of the entrepreneurs I know aren't either. They are normal people with extraordinary ideas and out-of-this-world willpower.

My Story with Entrepreneurship

Now that we are clear on what entrepreneurship is not, I'm going to tell you how I got started. Because there is no better way to understand something than by seeing real examples. And my story is full of falls, bumps and some victories.

First Steps: The Failures That Taught Me More Than Any Book

My first attempt at entrepreneurship was a disaster. I was young, ambitious and believed I could conquer the world with one hand tied behind my back. Spoiler alert: I couldn't. I invested all my savings in an idea I thought was revolutionary: an online store for customized office products. And it was... but to disaster.

What went wrong?
I had no idea about marketing, I didn't know how to reach my customers, and to be honest, I didn't have a product that people really wanted either. I jumped into the water without knowing how to swim and sank.

But here's the lesson: entrepreneurship is learning. Learning through mistakes, learning to pick yourself up after a fall and learning to listen to what the market really wants.

The Days of Hard Bread and Reheated Coffee

After my first failure, I could have given up. Many do. But I'm stubborn, and I had that bug inside that told me I could do better. So I started again. This time with a small digital marketing consultancy. Nothing glamorous, I assure you.

I lived on just enough. Some days, my diet consisted of stale bread and reheated coffee, but you know what? I had never felt so alive. I was learning as I went along, making connections and, most importantly, building something that was completely mine.

The Keys to Successful Entrepreneurship

Now, I don't want you to leave here thinking that it's all suffering. Yes, there are sacrifices, but there is also a reward. And if you're willing to work hard and learn, there are some keys that can help you on your way.

Find your why.
Why do you want to be an entrepreneur? This is the most important question you can ask yourself. If your answer is just "to make money", you are doomed to failure. Your why has to be something deeper. Something that motivates you on tough days.

Know your market.
Don't make the same mistake I did. Before you launch anything, research, ask, listen. Your idea may be amazing for you, but if there's no market for it, you're lost.

Build a strong network.
Entrepreneurship can be lonely, but it doesn't have to be. Surrounding yourself with people who support, challenge and inspire you is critical. Seek out mentors, make friends in your industry, connect with other entrepreneurs.

Learn to fail fast and cheap.
One of the best pieces of advice I received was this: "Fail fast, fail cheap." Test your ideas without investing a lot of time or money. Learn from mistakes and adjust your course. Failure is not the end, it's just part of the process.

Be adaptable.
The world changes rapidly, and successful entrepreneurs are those who can adapt to those changes. Don't stick to your original idea if the market is showing you it needs something different. Be flexible and you'll be in a better position to take advantage of opportunities.

Lessons That Are Worth Gold

I want to share with you some lessons I've learned along the way. They are not strict rules, but they are principles that have helped me navigate the turbulent waters of entrepreneurship.

Money isn't the most important thing, but you need it.
It seems counterintuitive, right? But it's the truth. Don't obsess about money, but be smart with it. Manage your resources wisely and learn to do a lot with a little.

Your team is everything.
No matter how talented you are, you can't do it all alone. Surrounding yourself with people who share your vision and complement your skills is essential. A good team can be the difference between success and failure.

Don't be afraid to ask for help.
This is a mistake many entrepreneurs make. We think that asking for help is a sign of weakness. But it's not. Asking for help is a sign of intelligence.No one knows everything, and sometimes, an outside perspective may be just what you need.

Success: A Relative Concept

Now, let's talk about success. Because I'm sure at some point you've asked yourself, "When will I know I've succeeded?" The answer is that success is relative.There is no point of arrival, no moment when you say, "I've arrived!"

For some, success is building a multi-million dollar business. For others, it's having the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. And for others, it's simply being able to do what they love every day. You decide what success means to you.

But there is one thing all successful entrepreneurs have in common: they never stop learning, growing and looking for ways to improve.

The Future of Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is changing. Technology is revolutionizing the way we do business, and the opportunities are greater than ever. But there is also more competition, more noise and more challenges.

If you want to be an entrepreneur in this new world, you have to be willing to innovate, take risks and do things that others aren't willing to do.

If you want to be an entrepreneur in this new world, you have to be willing to innovate, to take risks and to do things that others aren't willing to do.