[122] How to be a Misfit Entrepreneur with Kate Toon

Do you ever feel like you’re not a ‘real entrepreneur’? Yeah, me too. And so does my guest this week, Kate Toon – who happens to be the author of How to be a Misfit Entrepreneur. I met Kate at the Artful Business Conference this year, and promptly invited her to come on the show, because I loved the way she approached ‘being an entrepreneur’. We have a lot of laughs, and chat about what it means to grow a business YOUR way – and how to own that and be proud of it, rather than feel like you’re somehow not doing it right.   Love the show? You can show your support by: * Leaving a review on the C&T FB page. * Leaving a review on iTunes. * Donating a few dollars towards the costs of producing the pod. * Joining the Thriver Circle – without the members of the Circle, this podcast would not be possible. (Membership is open on September 27th!)     Quotes and highlights from this episode: * Most of us don’t fit the myth of the yacht owning, hammock lazing, one-hour workday entrepreneur. * Develop your own style of entrepreneurship to fit the lifestyle you want to lead. * Business growth for the sake of growth is not mandatory. * It’s okay to align your goals to personal wants rather than business outcomes. * “We can keep doing what we’re doing and it is okay. We don’t always have to be doing something new or different or exciting to be happy.” {Jess} * Keep expectations of your business growth realistic, avoid comparisons and get on with your own journey. * “Nobody is immune to the feeling of an imposter or not being good enough. Even if from the outside if they look super successful.” {Jess} * There will always be someone doing things better than you – stop focusing on others and focus on building your business. * “Stop consuming and start creating.” {Kate} * Looking for inspiration? Don’t go to your competitors go to your customers. * Criticism and difficult customers are part of the entrepreneurship journey. * Take the high road but you do not have to cave to an unreasonable customer. * Kate recommends The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. * Develop your business direction with your core values in mind. These will change and grow as you do. * Chase interesting ideas and stray from your path. Some ideas will work and some will crash and burn. Let these ones go. * “The whole point of having a business is getting some satisfaction and enjoyment out of it – not just money and customers.” {Kate} * Time management and organisation is essential – structure your day, keep motivation high, track time and establish tasks. * Kate recommends the Pomodoro technique for time management. * Find out more about Kate and buy her book here.     Download or listen to this episode. http://createandthrive.