Martha Stewart: things entrepreneurs can learn from this person of extreme resolve

From modelling in her younger days to becoming an institutional stockbroker at Wall Street to starting her own media house, Martha Stewart has redefined success. If anyone knows how to build a brand for themselves, it definitely is the American businesswoman. From a family of humble origins, Martha was enterprising at a fairly young age and worked hard to set up her $638 million dollar brand, leaving no stones unturned in the process.

A marquee for women entrepreneurs from across the board, Martha Stewart’s life is a testament to the entrepreneurial pursuit. Of course, when it comes to business and entrepreneurial success, there is a lot we can learn from her. Here are some of the best lessons Martha can teach about entrepreneurial success.

Be accepting of changes

Does not matter which step of the business you are on, an entrepreneur should be prepared to accept and imbibe changes. This is what is going to help a person grow, and Martha’s career trajectory is probably the best case study for this. Her career just kept on changing tracks before she could settle on one thing. Recalling the same she once said, “My new motto is: When you’re through changing, you’re through.”

The learning never stops

If you take a quick look at Martha’s career, you can see that though she changed fields quite a bit, she always did what captivated her interest. At the National Association of Professional Women’s National Networking Conference, Martha said, “You should never retire; you shouldn’t even use the word. It implies going off into the sunset, and who wants to do that?”

Never one for settling down or taking it easy, Martha Stewart has been a vocal proponent against age-related stereotypes. With an aim to work till she is 150, Martha believes that the moment you stop learning is the moment you inch closer to being irrelevant.

Inspiration exists everywhere, it is upon you to draw

One of the biggest issues among entrepreneurs just starting out is that they burn out due to a lack of inspiration. Well, it is natural to run out of inspiration or feel like you are on your last mile, but the will to carry on is what will take you further in your course.

In Martha’s case, she draws inspiration from everything that surrounds her and adds her creative touch to make it do wonders for her. “Everywhere I go, I always look for creative entrepreneurs, whether it’s artisans and craftsmen, small farmers and gardeners, or restaurateurs who use fresh, locally sourced ingredients,” says Martha, explaining her take on tapping into the creativity around her.

Define what work-life balance means for you

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can be a challenge for anyone, especially if you are at the start of your career. For Martha, her job is her life and her life is her work, and she cannot do without it. For any person who wants to create a brand like Martha Stewart, there is no break between the job and the personal space, says Martha. However, it’s definitely not going to work for everyone.

Silver linings even on the darkest of days

Life is not always sunny, and who can put it any better than Martha herself. She has had some pretty rough times during her trial and scandals; however, she did not let that steal her shine away. Never one for taking it lying down, Martha is a great example of how to turn things around even when everything seems hopeless. A leaf that entrepreneurs can take out of Martha’s life is that there is always a way around your obstacles and travails. The light at the end of the tunnel may wear thin, but you still need to look at it as the silver lining that can pull you out.

A pioneer among women entrepreneurs, everyone stands to gain some input from Martha Stewart’s life and entrepreneurial journey. The message that one can draw out of this great life is that nothing is insurmountable – not age, gender bias, failure, or even renewing life goals. With years of experience, Martha has first-hand knowledge of how to earn and maintain success. So aspiring entrepreneurs – of all ages or genders – can take a page from her book to learn the tips and tricks of being a successful entrepreneur.