Since the business scene continues to evolve, young individuals are filling up front lines by beginning their own endeavours, including everything from stalls and breweries to technology startups to large companies.
At age 8, he would take stones from his neighbours’ yards and attempt to sell the trendy ones back to their front door.
And then, at 14, he began a city-wide homework-selling network that caused a suspension — and almost an expulsion — but also the motivation he needed to start his first legitimate firm, a social networking agency that served over 50+ mid-size businesses in America.
The entrepreneur, speaker, and youth marketing strategist, now runs the Gen Z branch of Intercept Group, which affirms manufacturers such as Unilever, Microsoft, 7-Eleven, 3M, L’Oreal and Toyota.
After watching a TEDx Chat delivered by Cameron Herold, former COO of 1-800-Got-Junk, he gave a chilly email to him (and another six emails after no response), which led to Herold coordinating the young entrepreneur.
Blakley’s partners, and mentors, today also include Jay Abraham, Joe Polish, Daymond John, and Brian Solis. The Shark Tank guru Daymond John and Blakley are working on several projects at this time. He’s also working on his most recent venture, YouthLogix, a youth marketing novel.
Inspired by the entrepreneur, I had his marketing success split down into five classes.
1. Society often makes it look as if you must follow a specific path if you would like to be successful.
There is nothing far from the truth in today’s day and age. Society is built in a way where your options seem to be limited. However, in reality, if you don’t want to be average, you need to step away from the norm and build something of your own. This philosophy is not new but something that the changemakers of every generation use. It’s right for the business, career, love, mindset, and more.
Starting out in the business as the young underdog, Blakley needed to create his own manner. Unlike what he’d learned to do in the classroom, he had to find a plan that worked for him and not for everybody else. His task wasn’t easy, but Blakley always preferred doing the harder things in life.
“When I was starting out, I took the word R&D (tear off and replicate) way too far. I’d repeat what I heard experts say and expect clients had not heard it anywhere before,” Blakley said.
An excellent entrepreneur also knows when to pivot and iterate over their idea, and that is precisely what Blakeley did. “But after doing so for a while, I started coming up with my own original ideas, theories, and thoughts. And this is when I began to see my business and personal brand burst.”
2. A significant portion of entrepreneurship is learning on your own.
Most of all, it is about learning where you fit in the market and how you can assist other businesses. Blakeley adds, “you must understand where you bring value, and remain in your lane. Often times, I see young entrepreneurs attempting to fake it till you make it a little too intense.”
Do what you do best and don’t veer too far off your path. A lot of times, young entrepreneurs become distracted with small, inconsequential tasks which don’t actually help them progress.
3. Having a why is critical.
Without it, you’re wandering purposeless in the area of entrepreneurship and aren’t any better than every other hopeful founder.
“A couple of months ago, I was in a Genius Network meeting where Dean Graziosi took members through a workout to help them find out why they actually do what they do. “
Working with a goal is also a fantastic way to stay motivated. If you aren’t working on something which you genuinely care about, then it’ll be simple to give up along the way. This is not only true for work but for life in general.
If you have a purpose, you will be naturally prone to act towards it, and it’ll be easier to form habits around it than if you don’t.
This is one of the significant problems with the office going – order following generation is that they lack a proper way which makes them susceptible to burnouts and lack of fulfilment.
4. The worlds of technology, marketing, and company are changing. What was true ten years back about consumer preferences might be completely wrong now.
The best entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs are in tune with the current and can adapt to inevitable changes. Look at how technology is changing now.
If you wish to be a successful entrepreneur, you need to be humble enough to accept that the client is always perfect. You also need to be okay with the fact your own ideas are simply assumptions. Your mindset plays a vital role here. Are you someone who believes that whatever you say is the word of god or you are willing to change and grow?
It is one thing to back yourself and fill yourself with confidence, but it completely different to do it when you know you are wrong. Understand that the world is changing and change accordingly because change is the only way to move forward, and if you are not doing that, you are just going backwards.
He goes on to explain: “The best people I have met in the industry come to work with a”willing-to-learn” mindset” These are the professionals that will make it much, not always due to their own thoughts, but due to their willingness to follow their customers.
5. Know the difference between media and linking.
Building relationships is a lot more valuable than building contacts. “I have learned this a huge difference between knowing someone and having the ability to call someone about life information,” says Blakley.
They are the people with thoughts, the encounters, and meaningful advice. As soon as you understand that media is no longer a job, but instead a relationship-building way of life, connecting with people becomes much more comfortable.