Words of Wisdom for
Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Sherman Wright and Ahmad Islam, founders of Chicago’s common ground (CG) advertising agency, share their insights.
Islam and Wright are profiled in the summer edition of Black MBA Magazine.
Find your passion, but have a plan.
If you follow your passion and seek opportunities to develop your skill set within that area, you will increase your odds of success. But remember to be strategic.
Figure out ways to translate your passion into an endeavor that makes sense from a business standpoint, and relentlessly pursue opportunities to parlay that passion into a business endeavor.
“Find something that you’re passionate about, go after it, but do it smartly and do it with a plan,” Wright says.
Be seen, and don’t stop networking.
Continue to build your personal and professional network. Get out, attend industry and trade association events and surround yourself with likeminded individuals who can impart wisdom and assist with your professional development.
“There are people out there that will admire the fact that you have taken the risk and jumped out to be an entrepreneur, and will in turn do everything they can to help you be successful,” Islam says. “It’s just about having visibility and awareness of the fact that you’re out there. You can’t do it by yourself.”
Find inspiration in others’ success.
Reading other business success stories is an excellent source of motivation. As an avid reader of success stories, Wright says when you constantly read about how others have made their rise to the top, you can figure out ways to apply those methods to your own journey.
“Not everybody is coming from a place where they have a silver spoon in their mouths,” he says, “but anything is possible.” Two of Wright’s favorite success stories include The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner, and Sam Walton: Made in America by Sam Walton.
– Emerald Morrow
Photos by Andy Goodwin, Goodwin Photo