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Entrepreneurial Lessons As I Learn Them: Lesson 1
“Beta-Testers and Naysayers”

The world is full of “Beta Testers and Naysayers” and they are a common challenge for the new entrepreneur. How you deal with them is the first step to building your entrepreneurial dream. These character types can be found in your immediate family, among your closet friends, and out in the community as you attempt to share your vision with the public.

The first type of Naysayer I want to discuss is the one who has no concept of the amount of time that has passed since you last spoke. This person doesn’t realize that a lot has happened in your life since 1991 when you worked the cashier at McDonald’s. “The Naysayer From Back In The Day” is looking at you sideways because they can’t believe that “Tee Tee the fryer cook with the Gerri Curl” got her own thing going now. While this naysayer packs only very little punch, they can plant seeds of doubt in the mind of an entrepreneur who is still developing their message and is cautious of the road ahead. These seeds can grow into you making a fool out of yourself as you try to unnecessarily overcompensate in an attempt to prove to this person that you are the real thing. The important thing to keep mind is that this naysayer, may be reflecting more their own problems in life- and are projecting that insecurity onto you. They focus on who you were in the past and who they were in the past for a reason.

Always remember where you came from-but also remember that no one said you were destined or required to stay there.

Naysayer#2 has their hands in your pockets. I call this one “The Naysayer From Another Mother.” This naysayer is “worried” and “concerned” about the decisions you are making. Every conversation with them seems to about your risk and the practical application of your plans.

What baffles you is the fact that this person has been around you enough to recite your plans by heart! While a reality check is one of the most valuable things the people close to you can offer you in your journey to grow your business, if there are no suggestions or feedback that follow- a NFAM may be in your midst.

“The Naysayer From Another Mother” is not really concerned with the practical aspects of your new venture- they are concerned about how these practical applications are going to affect their pockets. Be Careful around this naysayer because they have something the “Naysayer From Back In The Day doesn’t: Constant Contact. This naysayer will make several attempts to get you back into THEIR comfort zone by scaring you to death about the road ahead. I can’t say that this naysayer came into play when I was starting my business, but I can say that I didn’t have a driver’s liscense until I was 28 years old because I lived with one. He led me to believe that there was no point in getting one until I had a car of my own. I knew that it was more likely because he knew that if I had one-I would buy a car of my own and drive far away from his stupid you know what. Instead I found that feet walking away would do me just as good in that department. A few months later, I got my driver’s liscense. And a year later, I was seen taking my new man for a spin in my very own car.

The moral of that story is that while certainly there are considerations and important decisions you will want to make as your grow your small business, know when you are ready to pursue your dream and then go out there and get it.

The last character type I want you to meet is the “Beta-Tester” I left the “BT” for last because they tend to be the most vicious of the offenders to your empire. “Beta-Testers are people who for whatever reason feel the need to “sample you,” press all of your buttons, and check to see if you “really work.”

The “BT” not only has a hard time acknowledging your drive and desire to succeed, they need to “test” it and see if it is the “real thing.” “BT’s” can be people that know you really well or people that don’t know you at all.

A “Beta-Tester” tests for a couple of reasons:

Some are genuinely interested in what you have to offer, but rather than tell you they are interested, they use a series of covert questions. Your answers to these questions will help them to silently make a decision about who you are and what you are all about.

The most destructive kind however, will continue to badger you for information (believe me you will notice) or will subtly ask you the same questions over and over again despite the fact that you have already answered them. And they will not be satisfied until you are tongue tied, insecure,or I guess “exposed.”

Here’s what I recommend when you meet this person. Break out that elevator speech. Give a brief, clear, and concise description of your company- then be totally silent. Answer a couple of questions about your business, but know when to stop. If the line of “questioning” persists, express your extreme elation with the fact that they are so interested in your service and invite them to take a look at your website and make an appointment to discuss how you might help them with their goals. Then move on.

The Good News is that once you have experienced these characters and the challenges they present, you will easily recognize them the next time they come around challenging your empire. Take the wind out of their sails and use it to fly. No one can take away your entrepreneurial shine.

And remember most importantly that it doesn’t matter if they believe you, what matters is that you believe it, you say it, and you do it.