Next up in our Small Business Inspirational Series is Elishema Mannie, the musician, podcaster and entrepreneur of Food for Musical Thoughts; an inspiring podcast that gives listeners a peak into the life of an independent music artist navigating a music career. Elishema shares how a beloved business analogy has kept her company on the high seas of her entrepreneurial adventures... ⛵
"The best piece of advice I received about owning a business is that it is akin to traveling the seas on a sailboat. A business requires skill, instinct, and an investment of time and energy, just like sailing across the ocean in a sailboat. Sailboats use the power of the wind to move them forward. The operator has to monitor and continuously adjust the sails and overall boat’s positioning in accordance with the direction of the wind in order to arrive at their ultimate destination.
Just as a sailboat has to cater to the wind, so too does a business owner have to cater to their customers. A business owner must always be in tune with its customers and seek them out. While a sailor must possess a keen sensitivity to the wind because it is the major source of power for the sailboat, customers are a major source of power for the business moving it forward to reach its goals and objectives.
Also, it is not common for a sailboat to travel directly to its destination in a straight line the whole way. It has to shift and adjust to the behavior of the winds. The operator may even have to dock along the way, depending on the overall weather conditions of the day.
Some days may be just perfect. Sunshine, warm dry temperatures, consistent wind speeds between 5 and 15 knots, and no swells or currents, which are great conditions for a sail. And then there are other days when the wind is almost none existent. And yet more occasions when the sky is gray, the tides are high, and the wind is so heavy it can almost blow you over.
In business, no two days are the same. Some day's customers may be lined up outside of your doors eager to give you money, on other days customers may barely trickle in. Yet on other occasions, you may be in a panic trying to deploy every marketing technique you know of to get customers in the doors. Especially if some environmental news has shifted the economic landscape and has everyone holding on to their dollars.
As a business owner, you must make adjustments in your operations according to the environmental factors of the moment, just like a sailor on the high seas does. Sometimes these factors are political, economic, social, and/or technological. But it is the business owner's duty to stay vigilant, find solutions, and do what is necessary to hold on tight and navigate through any storm that approaches.
Receiving this advice was game-changing for me. It helped me to cultivate a mindset of adventure, endurance, and resilience. It helped me understand that as a business owner, I can set out for a destination, but the trip there may not always be smooth sailing. However, as long as I equip myself with the necessary skills, possess the right gear, trust my instincts, learn to adjust along the way, and have a bit of luck on my side, I have a good chance of getting there.
It also helped me to not overthink and over plan, because the environment can be unpredictable. I have to be ready for anything, even pirate attacks. Some moments can feel calm and smiley, and others can feel like this deep ocean called business, is swallowing you up. So, I have developed an adaptability consciousness. I set my overall vision, keep it before me, but take one step at a time knowing plans could change.
I've learned to embrace the unpredictable nature of the business world, and not let the uncertainties emotionally hinder me from adventuring ahead, albeit, cautiously. And when business is slow or I’m navigating through a rough patch, I assure myself that it's just a temporary shift in the current, and the tide will turn. In those moments, I feel the best thing I can do is adhere to my training, stay in tune with the wind, aka the customer, and keep sailing forward."
-Elishema Mannie
Thank you for sharing the advice you received and how that has inspired you Elishema!
Elishema Mannie is a soulful singer, songwriter, and blogger from Chicago, IL USA. Driven by her love of music and entrepreneurship, she seeks to empower others through uplifting songs and sharing her insights about business. Explore Elishema’s work and connect with her at https://elishema.com
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