Introvert and entrepreneur are not usually words you’d associate with each other. Stereotypical views of introversion is shy and reserved whereas the stereotypical view of an entrepreneur is bold and blunt. However, introvert entrepreneurs are not new and some of the most successful entrepreneurs we have today are introverted and they’ve been around for a while!
To be a successful entrepreneur you CAN be an introvert. You CAN be quietly confident and use your introverted powers to become successful! Just look at Mark Zuckerberg! There’s no doubt that he’s an introverted entrepreneur!
However, to be a great introvert entrepreneur you have to accept that there will always be a strain between ‘I want to be an entrepreneur but risk and uncertainty terrifies me in more ways than one‘. It’s a contradiction a lot of ambitious introverts will experience.
But with all that said…here’s 4 reasons why introverts make great entrepreneurs.
1. Introverts Have The Ability To Work For Long Periods Of Time With Focus And Intent
Working for long periods of time is our forte! Whilst working on a specific project we’re less likely to get distracted than our extroverted friends. [Invitations for ‘after work drinks‘ are not much of a temptation for us!].
As an entrepreneur it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get things off the ground. It requires a lot of focus and determination and this is something we’re excellent at!
2. Introverts Are Thinkers
Being an entrepreneur requires a lot of thought. Business plans, branding, sales strategies all require thought. You may have to explore a range of ideas before coming to the one that you’ll eventually choose. Introverts have no problem in this planning stage!
Refining these skills will help you build a good entrepreneurial foundation to build a successful business on.
3. Introverts Pay Attention To Detail
Introverts are the masters at paying attention to detail. You can guarantee if you have an introvert amongst you, they’ll be the one to notice the spelling mistake!
Having a keen eye for detail is great as an entrepreneur! It will help identify the flaws in your competitors!
4. Comfortable With Lone Working
Being alone and getting paid for it? That’s every introvert’s dream right? Introverts flourish in this environment because they usually work better alone! They perform at their optimum when there are no distractions.
But the reality is, entrepreneurship can be a lonely place. In the beginning stages you may be a one man band, juggling the accounts, marketing and sales. People may not understand or believe in your vision and you may have to work on your own for a while. But as an introvert entrepreneur you’ll be ok with that!
We’re in a new age of entrepreneurship and there are many just like you; quiet, softly spoken, and absolutely killing it in the business world! We’ve got some great BOLD INTROVERTS featured right here on Quietly Ambitious! Many of whom are introvert entrepreneurs or just generally ambitious people! Have a read here and be inspired!
Just remember you have hidden powers that are essential for a successful entrepreneur!
Are you an introvert entrepreneur? How do you make it work for you?
Further reading
The Introvert Entrepreneur
I like this. It gives hope to people who think that just because they aren’t charismatic, they can’t be successful.