Welcome to the very first episode of Business Renegades. In this debut discussion, hosts Maria and Amanda dive deep into the foundation of any successful venture: the business mindset. We have heard it from our social media followers that they all want to Start a Side Gig or as the Baby Boomer’s call it, How to Start a Business with No Money, in order to make some extra cash!! While many aspiring entrepreneurs focus on what product to sell or what service to offer, they often overlook the mental shift required to move from being an employee to being a business owner.
The transition from a stable 9-to-5 to the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship is more than just a career change—it is a total psychological overhaul. In this post, we’ll explore the differences between the employee and entrepreneur mindsets, the reality of business income, and why discipline is the ultimate key to long-term success.
The Great Divide: Employee Mindset vs. Entrepreneur Mindset
Most people are raised within a “9-to-5 culture.” From a young age, the traditional path is laid out: go to school, get a degree, and find a stable job with a steady paycheck. This creates an employee mindset, where work is equated with immediate compensation and tasks are assigned by a superior.
Amanda points out that those who haven’t been exposed to business culture often struggle with the idea of taking risks. “A lot of people fear the unknown,” she explains. “They’re not really taught how to build; they’re taught how to follow a curriculum.”
In contrast, the entrepreneur mindset involves:
- Taking risks on yourself: Moving away from the safety net of a guaranteed salary.
- Long-term vision: Understanding that a business is an investment, not just a job.
- Self-reliance: Realizing that if you don’t work, the business doesn’t move forward.
The Impact of Local Culture on Business
Maria shares her unique perspective moving from the United States to Canada. In New York City, she found a highly entrepreneurial environment where people were accustomed to being consultants and contractors. They understood that they only made money when they produced results. However, upon moving to Canada, she noticed a much stronger “employee culture,” where high-paying manufacturing jobs (like those at General Motors) created a sense of security that often discouraged people from venturing out on their own.
This cultural difference highlights a common trap: many new business owners expect to be paid like employees from day one. In reality, a business is an asset that takes time to mature.
The Reality of Starting Up: Why You Won’t Get Paid Immediately
One of the harshest truths Maria and Amanda discuss is the financial reality of a new business. Unlike a job where you receive a paycheck at the end of the week, a business may not turn a profit for months—or even years.
“Your business doesn’t happen overnight,” Maria warns. “You may not be able to make any money for a year. Can you survive that?”
To bridge this gap, Maria suggests a practical, “renegade” approach: the multi-job hustle. When she was building her ventures, she worked seven jobs in seven days. She would work on her business during the day or on weekends and work other jobs at night to pay the bills. This level of dedication is what separates those who dream of a business from those who actually build one.
Lessons from Childhood: Building the Entrepreneurial Muscle
Both Maria and Amanda attribute much of their success to lessons learned in their youth. They argue that entrepreneurship and financial literacy should be core parts of the school curriculum, though they rarely are today.
The Power of Junior Achievement
Maria recounts her time in Junior Achievement during grade school. Her group formed a mini-company that manufactured and sold blackboards. As the treasurer and top salesperson, she learned early on how to handle money and how to close a deal. These experiences proved that she could be successful in a competitive environment, regardless of gender or age.
Mastering Skills and Teamwork
Amanda shares a similar story regarding a program called “Battle of the Books.” By reading thousands of books and competing against other schools, her team won $10,000 for their school library. This taught her the value of discipline, mastery, and charity. “You see people who learn these lessons young; they take them through life,” Amanda says. These early wins build the “discipline muscle” required to manage yourself when there is no boss watching over your shoulder.
The Discipline Factor: Being Your Own Boss
The biggest challenge of the entrepreneur mindset is self-discipline. When you own a business, there is no one assigning you tasks or checking your progress. Your success depends entirely on your ability to organize your time and execute your plan.
Key traits for a successful business mindset include:
- Commitment: Sticking to the plan even when it gets difficult.
- Dedication: Putting in the hours when no one is watching.
- Organization: Managing tasks and skills without external pressure.
- Consistency: Showing up every day, regardless of how you feel.
Debunking the “Instant Success” Myth
In the age of social media, we are bombarded by influencers claiming to have “10-step blueprints” to get rich overnight. Maria and Amanda are quick to call this out as fake.
“There is no such thing as instant money,” Maria asserts. Many influencers project a lifestyle that is subsidized by other sources or is simply a facade. Real business success is earned through labor, time, and overhead costs. There is no magic formula that replaces hard work.
Amanda compares a business to a young child: “You have to raise it. You’ve got to create it, nurture it, and keep an eye on it.” Just as you wouldn’t expect a toddler to fend for themselves, you cannot expect a new business to support you without significant care and investment.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Shift your perspective: Move away from the employee mindset of “trading time for a paycheck” to the entrepreneur mindset of “building an asset.”
- Prepare for the “No-Pay” period: Have a plan (like a part-time job) to sustain yourself while your business grows.
- Develop self-discipline: Practice setting and completing tasks without outside supervision.
- Seek like-minded communities: Surround yourself with other business owners who understand the journey and can offer support when others doubt you.
- Ignore the “Get Rich Quick” noise: Real success takes time, effort, and persistence. There are no shortcuts.
Conclusion
Starting a business is one of the most rewarding challenges you can take on, but it requires more than just a good idea. It requires a renegade mindset—the willingness to defy conventional “employee” wisdom and embrace the risks and responsibilities of ownership. By focusing on discipline, understanding the long-term nature of investments, and staying grounded in reality, you can build a solid foundation for your future.
As Maria and Amanda conclude, education and experience are important, but the inner drive to be an entrepreneur is what truly makes the difference. Stay tuned for more episodes of Business Renegades as we continue to break down the barriers to business success!
To get in touch with Amanda Renaud please email magneticpublishing2023@gmail.com and Maria Rekrut at mariarekrut@gmail.com
Chapters
0:00 Welcome to Business Renegades
2:15 Transitioning from Employee to Entrepreneur
4:45 Business as a Long-Term Asset
7:30 Early Childhood Business Lessons
10:00 The Power of Discipline and Self-Management
12:45 Debunking Get Rich Quick Myths
15:15 The Necessity of Continuous Learning
17:15 How to Connect and Future Courses
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Business Mindset, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneur vs Employee Mindset, How to start a business, Escaping the 9 to 5, Small Business Tips, Business Risks and Rewards, Business as an Asset, Financial Freedom, Side Hustle, Junior Achievement, Business Tax Benefits, Networking for Entrepreneurs, Business Culture, Success Mindset, Entrepreneurial Journey, Mindset Shift, Business Motivation, Starting a Business with No Money, Business Growth Strategy, How to start a side gig, How to start a zero budget business, Maria Rekrut, Amanda Renaud, How to Start a Side Gig Business with No Money, How to start a business with no money,
businessmindset #entrepreneurship #businessrenegades #mindsetshift #smallbusiness #STARTINGAZEROBUDGETSIDEGIG, #MARIAREKRUT, #AMANDAARENAUD
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