Stop Overcomplicating Entrepreneurship

And Start Rolling Up Your Sleeves

And Start Rolling Up Your Sleeves

One of the biggest mistakes budding entrepreneurs make is thinking that they need to innovate — meaning create something entirely new — to make a name for themselves.

They try building a new product, with a new method and a new strategy.

But that’s a myth, illustrated by the hordes of successful entrepreneurs out successfully pursuing simpler, lucrative opportunities that often involve the reinvigoration of existing products and services deploying existing, proven strategies and principles.

Andrew Mason, the founder of Groupon didn’t create the idea of coupons or discounts; he simply took an existing concept and made it more convenient and accessible by connecting businesses with customers through technology.

Elon Musk made his first million dollars selling a business that licensed online city guide software to newspapers

Mark Cuban started out selling powdered milk.

Oprah Winfrey parlayed her experience as a TV news anchor into a media empire that includes her successful talk show, magazine, and production company.

Business ideas don’t always have to be sexy and the execution doesn’t have to be complicated.

Roll up your sleeves, learn from others who’ve come before you and get to work.