Chelann Gienger, age 15, started her first business, a business that specialized in health coaching. She was hooked on entrepreneurship from that moment.
Chelann knew that she needed a degree to help her take her business to the next stage. At 16, Chelann enrolled in college to pursue her dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian. Short story is that Chelann, along with some business partners, opened NUYU Juice Bar a few weeks after graduating with her Associate in Applied Science degree. That was when her life changed in ways she never imagined.
“If anyone ever said that book-work was more valuable than practical experience, they were wrong.” Chelann claims that she learned more from owning a juice bar in a year than she did in two years of college. After much reflection, Chelann decided to quit school for Dietetics and pursue entrepreneurship full-time. “I discovered my passion was to inspire the younger generation and allow them to achieve extreme freedom and balance in their lives through being entrepreneurs. Then came the question: “How do I make that dream a reality?”
Chelann, who opened the juice bar, found it difficult to see eye to eye with her friends of her age. They were both running completely different races in life and at different speeds. Chelann came up with the solution for her own problem, and in June 2016, she launched Entrepreneur Before 25. Entrepreneur before 25 is an interview podcast featuring entrepreneurs who have started their entrepreneurial journeys at 25 or under. Chelann hoped that the podcast would attract other like-minded entrepreneurs. That’s exactly what has happened.
These are three of her most valuable lessons from starting three businesses before she turned 20.
1. Separate yourself and your business
Entrepreneurship is one of the most unpredictable paths in life. It’s not for everyone. It isn’t for everyone. It is in our blood. You’re bound to experience ups and downs in your business every day. It’s important to not let your business’s performance dictate how you are doing. Separate your personal emotions and your business. Chelann observed that every time NUYU had a bad day, it was her too.
“Subconsciously, the business was defining who and how I was.”
It was then that she realized the true job of an entrepreneur was to “solve problems”. Her life became much easier. Chelann believes it is important to not base your identity solely on the business.
2. Change is possible if you are committed
There is no growth without change. You’ve probably heard it before.
“If you aren’t growing, you are dying.” You should stop reading this and think deeply about what it means.
You are welcome to return. It is vital that business owners push their businesses to the top of innovation and excellence, given how quickly new ideas and technology are moving. Change is inevitable. Chelann stated that she finds it very difficult to change because it will likely lead to more controllessness.
“I am a rational and systematic person. If I don’t have all my ducks in order, I default to running the other direction.”
You have to accept that change is necessary and your business will not reach its full potential without it. You don’t have to face change alone, as Chelann did. Get support from a team that is open to making changes and moving the business forward. Remember, change=growth. Do the right thing, even if it is hard.
3. Keep your eyes on the mission at all costs
It is easy to get distracted by the daily tasks on your to-do-list. It is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks and just go through the motions every morning. It’s easy to look at your to-do lists first every morning. Instead, I challenge you to get up and remind yourself about the mission of your company. Chelann keeps a daily review of her business and personal mission statements.
This simple routine helps me stay grounded and aligned with the WHY behind all I do. This way, I can be driven and motivated by the WHY rather than the not-so-substantial ‘fix website’ on my to do list when times are tough.
Chelann Herself offers bonus content:
Simply answer this question to create your mission statement.
What’s the deeper purpose of my business?
NUYU’s mission statement, for example, doesn’t say that it will “provide healthy juices, smoothies, and food to people.” It has a deeper meaning. What’s the WHY of healthy juices, smoothies, and other foods?
NUYU’s mission statement is “inspire and infuse energy, new health and a new self”
Good job! This article is now over. Now, I challenge you to do something. Instead of clicking on the next thing or moving on to the next task, set a timer and spend 5 minutes meditating on these three areas. Are you satisfied with your current situation? Are you too involved with your business? Are you ready to make a change? Are you able to define a vision for your business and life?
