The entrepreneurial super hero

Editor’s note: Michelle Stockman is an independent consultant with her company, Fort Smith-based Msaada Group. Stockman earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University-Chicago in communications and fine arts, and earned a master’s in entrepreneurship from Western Carolina University. Her thoughts on business success appear each week on The City Wire.

“Takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.”

It’s no surprise to hear stories or comments about entrepreneurs and how they have characteristics many others don’t or wouldn’t want. However, it wasn’t until recently I truly understood the strength and passion behind the entrepreneur and how truly different they can think or act at times. This valuable lesson was learned in a wheel chair ride down a white tiled hall.

I had an accident around the house where my head landed on cement. Don’t ask, as I don’t remember what happened. What I do know is the injury caused me to black out for a given amount of time, and I woke up to amnesia where I had no recollection of anything around me or no concept of time. As I came to my senses and actively tried to remember who I was, where I was and what day it was; my first thoughts were not about getting medical help. My first concerns were the responsibilities around me — my job and my business.

Like most business owners who can’t spare a second for, say, a surprise concussion, I continued to take care of the “to do” list. When I finally listened to a concerned sister (who works with brain injured clients), I went to the doctor. Not wanting to stop, I tried to brush off the accident, but a concerned doctor ordered me to get a CT Scan. As the wheel chair pulled up for me, I was ready to call the incident over and be on my way. However, as I was pushed down the hall, I was asked if I were in the medical field (as the nurse wondered why it took me so long to admit that I was hurt).

It was in that moment that my instant joking answer of being an entrepreneur gave me clarity on the perceived super human non-stop strength a business owner often has out of necessity.

The entrepreneur is bestowed the task of starting, running, growing and leading a business either from a mustard seed-sized idea or from a larger seed. Like a farmer who works 24/7 365 days a year, so does the entrepreneur. Not only does the business owner’s family rely on them to generate some form of income, so does each family who has a family member that works for that entrepreneur (whether part-time or more).

There are government and community expectations on that business as well as the weight of the business world. However, business owners accept and rise to the challenge. Some make it, some don’t. The one thing in common is all business owners are put through constant trials and tribulations that make them appear to be as strong as any Marvel Comics super hero.

Through natural disasters, growing an opportunity or helping an employee who is seriously ill, entrepreneurs will carry the world on their shoulders. It is a natural instinct for entrepreneurs to be leaders, compassionate leaders, who seek the best out of themselves and the community around them. Whether that means pushing through an injury, fighting the possibility of bankruptcy, balancing the needs of employees and wading through the waters of regulation, the business leader overcomes endless battles. Accomplishments and setbacks go in-hand, but hard work, motivation and support are keys to keep kryptonite away from business leaders.

Given the constant need to be strong, available and ready for battle, entrepreneurs often forget to admit they are human, too.

After the concussion, I jumped back into the swing of things only to get run over by the flu a few days later. As I lay in bed with my head spinning, again my thoughts were on the projects and people I need to serve. While I recognize that Stan Lee didn’t create me, I try to push my human limitations as far as I can go. This isn’t always the best thing for myself or those around me.

Entrepreneurs often lack the ability to admit where and when they need help, which can be a detriment to the very mission they want to succeed. Setting aside the ego is difficult, losing a business because of ego is worse.

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Stockman can be reached at [email protected]