As with technology, Culture can change in an instant. People’s tastes, what’s popular, and what’s next are constantly evolving in response to current events and the latest innovations in a given industry. Entrepreneurs who want to succeed in this field must be able to thrive in a changing environment, adapting their business when necessary and sticking to the plan when not.
But this isn’t the only way to succeed in the cultural sphere. According to business leaders at the Rolling Stone Cultural Council, adopting the following habits can give aspiring entrepreneurs an edge over the competition and set them up for true success in the cultural sphere and in their careers overall:
Practice “planned daydreaming”
Developing the habit of “planned daydreaming” or “planned solitude” can keep entrepreneurs engaged and mentally active, which can paradoxically increase productivity. This approach engages the mind subconsciously, which can lead to unexpected insights and solutions to pressing problems. It also allows you to tackle a wider range of tasks, contributing to overall progress and innovation. – Jessica Billingsley, Sona Capital
Follow up consistently
You need a consistent infrastructure for following up with your customers, partners, investors, employees, and everyone else involved in the success of your business. Creating a concrete plan and automation for follow-ups will help you avoid chaos and confusion. – King Holder, PROCUSSION
Embrace continuous learning
For entrepreneurs looking to succeed in culture and in their careers, one of the key habits is to embrace continuous learning. Always seeking new knowledge and being open to innovation will help you adapt to changing trends and stand out in your field. – Adam Rumanek, Aux Mode Inc.
Actively Listen
Active listening is essential for cultural entrepreneurs. It’s not just about hearing; it’s about deeply understanding the needs and aspirations of diverse communities. It requires proactively engaging, asking insightful questions, and acting on insights to make a lasting impact on the industry. – Red Rodriguez, GRAV
believe in yourself
It may sound simple, but believing in yourself is the hardest part. Even if you are determined to share and develop your ideas, you may face pushback when you engage with your network. Yet, the moment you doubt yourself, you lose your ability to convince others. Write down the reasons for your actions, say them out loud, and check yourself constantly. – Cynthia Johnson, Bell + Ivy
Seek feedback and adapt
Embracing feedback fosters growth, improves products and services, and strengthens relationships. Adaptability enables entrepreneurs to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and stay relevant in an ever-changing cultural environment. – Sonia Singh, Center for Inner Transformation
The Rolling Stone Culture Council is an invitation-only community for influencers, innovators and creators. Am I eligible?
Prioritize marketing early
The key for entrepreneurs is to prioritize marketing early in your business plan. For many startups, marketing is an afterthought. It can’t be done until you’re about to launch. In fact, marketing can be built, but people need time to get to know your product or service before they buy from you, especially in a saturated market. – Dan Serard, Cannabis Creative Group
Cultivate insatiable curiosity
Stay up to date on all content channels, even those that are unrelated to your business. By participating in diverse conversations across platforms like marketing campaigns, social media, music festivals, streaming, and more, you can understand where your audience is at any given time, what drives them, and what you can learn from them. This will help you stay relevant and ahead of your competitors. – Michael Klein, cannabisMD
Connect with others face-to-face
Let’s get back to in-person meetings. Zoom and text should complement, not completely replace, the way we connect to our networks. In-person meetings bring a physical presence that fosters more creative and innovative collaboration and ensures the building of trust that virtual meetings just don’t provide. – Andy Hale, Hale & Monico
Be prepared to change your mind
One of the most important habits for an entrepreneur is to always be open to changing your mind and to have the ability to spot a bad idea, even if it’s your personal idea. – Michele Zanello, Over the Reality
Finding Joy
Take time to cultivate joy. In my experience, this is a blend of gratitude, awe, and self-awareness. Joyful people attract others, attract opportunities, and best of all, see connections others don’t. Entrepreneurship is hard work, and when you’re tired, joy can feel far away. But that’s why entrepreneurs should be intentional about seeking out joy. — Jed Brewer, Good Loud Media
to not give up
To quote the late Nipsey Hussle, “Never give up.” There is very little we can control in this world. All we can control are our actions, our thoughts, our emotions (to an extent), and how we react to the world around us. We don’t know what we don’t know, so never give up. – Chris Eggers, CC Security Solutions
