Achieving Success And Growth As a Young Entrepreneur: Austin Olson’s Story

Today I interviewed Austin Olson, an entrepreneur from the US, who talks about the different times in his life where he was so close to failure, but picked things back up and turned into a success. Stick around! You’ll surely gain a thing or two from this young entrepreneur’s story 

What inspired you to take an entrepreneurial path instead of a standard job?

Austin: When I was 13 years old I knew I wanted to do something more than just live a normal life. As I grew up I watched people settle for lives that were not what they had dreamed of but their careers, hours, and salary controlled a lot of how and where they could live. So when I left at 18 with nothing but the clothes on my back and $600 in my pocket it became about survival and I didn’t want to be limited or capped so the only way I knew how to go for my dreams was making it happen myself not to rely on others.

Were there any moments in your journey that you’d consider the ‘turning points’ and if so could you outline them?

Austin: I remember at one point when I started a new company and all the money was going into it and I was living on pennies when my girlfriend at the time told me I would never make it, That I would never make enough money to support a family and the worst feeling is someone that you love doesn’t believe in you. That was the pivotal moment that I knew I was going to do whatever it took to succeed. I gave up my weekends and I worked 13-16 hours a day 6 days a week building my dream. I sacrificed a lot of things in order to pursue my business goals and never looked back. The second time was when I lost a company I had worked so hard on. I realized I was making decisions based on feelings, not facts. Professionals make decisions based on their commitments to their company, clients, and family, not feelings. I changed how I made decisions once I learned that the hard way. I learned from those mistakes and made myself better for the future.

Are there any entrepreneurs that you look up to, if so, who, and how have they impacted what you do?

Austin: Oprah Winfrey is my role model. She came up from nothing and thrived to a dream she did not let go of. A great example of persistence and hard work. Watching her taught me that it’s ok to work a lot and love what I do but to also recognize when you need a day to reset or just take care of yourself. Her story inspired me as an entrepreneur and helped me believe I could achieve anything I set my mind too.

What would be the top 3 tips you would give to a new business owner?

Austin: Be authentic and real. The marketplace can sense a phony or a person that’s just in it for the money from a mile away. Believe in your product/service with everything in you if you don’t how will anyone else? You have to know that what you are offering is the best thing for your client and that they are making a mistake by not hiring you. Just do… Stop procrastinating and do what needs to be done. Take a step forward every day in your business and be patient… Hold that step until you can take another one and then another one. It’s not a race but as long as you can continue moving forward and not losing steps you are making a difference and the marketplace will pay you for it.