Persistence Essential For Entrepreneurs

Persistence is a word being repeated frequently in today’s language. Although its popularity centered around recent political events regarding Elizabeth Warren inspiring women to be unrelenting and unwavering in their pursuit to be heard and tenacious about making a difference, the word has always been part of a woman entrepreneur’s mindset and vocabulary.

When I opened the doors to my first company 22 years ago, my Aunt, a seasoned business woman, stopped me in my grandparent’s kitchen to ask about my new entrepreneurial beginning. As the smell of homemade sauce and meatballs filled the air steaming the windows, I remember her sharing some wisdom by saying, “Tracy, I am excited for you but remember to be successful in business you must be persistent and focused to succeed because it isn’t always easy.”

Just like every other woman who ever started a business, my optimism bubbled out of me like the sauce fumes from the stove.”I will remember that Auntie, I promise,” I said thinking of how my grandfather came to America from Italy when he was only 8 years old. I always observed persistence in him and my grandmother making a new life in America for their offspring. Tenacity, persistence and equally great sauce run through my veins.

The word “persistence” has taken on a new meaning since training for the Boston Marathon. Trying to balance, running more than 9 miles a day, work, rest and fun has been challenging. Successfully running 26.2 miles on the hilly streets of Boston will take every ounce of persistence I have to cross the finish line. I can tell you for certain when you set big, important goals persistence develops naturally because you must possess it to succeed.

Today’s Wednesday Wisdom is meant for you to contemplate what the word persistence means in your life. Are you persisting to keep your business afloat during a difficult time? Could it be you are persisting to achieve the highest revenue year on record by December 31st? Are you persisting to change your business so it fits into a new stage in your life? I hope today you take a few minutes to recognize where and why you are persisting in your business and its hopeful outcome.