Ignorant and Inexperienced: Good!
photo credit: debaird™
The founder of Crate and Barrel said that it was ignorance and
inexperience that got his first store started.
“We didn’t know anything about retail,” Segal recalled. “I had grown up in the restaurant business, so I knew about
service but not about retail. We didn’t know a market from a markdown. We didn’t know anything about importing. In fact,
if we weren’t 23 and totally lacking wisdom, we would never have done this. You just go ahead with your passions, and
you rush forward without a great deal of thought,” Segal reflected.
What business could you start if you didn’t let your ignorance and inexperience hold you back?
home based business on January 11th, 2009 8:57 am
I can relate with this. The first business that I started was started in much the same way. I thought I’d figure it out along the way. I kept it simple and just did the next important thing. I works that.
Aleksandar M. Velkoski on January 11th, 2009 2:53 pm
You can overcome ignorance and inexperience. That’s my take. There are times when we all are ignorant and inexperienced. But, getting out there and getting something done is what makes the difference. That’s what gets you to where you need to go.
Melissa on January 11th, 2009 5:18 pm
When I was in a direct sales business, they used to say “ignorance on fire” could get you to the top. I have to agree with that. I read and learned too much and thought I could do it better than how I was being taught. Turns out that I would have been better off knowing nothing and just letting my passion for the product get me to the top!
Small Business Marketing on January 11th, 2009 6:06 pm
Be careful. For every success like this there are possibly 1000 failures.
PizzaForADream.com on January 11th, 2009 7:46 pm
Great post! Too often people who “have all the answers” are let this knowledge get in the way of innovation and growth. I entered a mature industry 2.5 years ago with no experience, but lots of ideas. Those in the industry laughed at much of what I came up with, but today my company (less than a year old) is on track to transform this industry and give it new life because a naive outsider came in and had the guts to apply some out-of-the-box ideas.
Daniel N. Lang on January 11th, 2009 8:38 pm
That sounds a lot like what nature is doing in evolution and the way children react. Watch Sir Ken Robinson’s talk (TED conferences) on how schools kill creativity to understand what I mean.
Many children often just give it a try and in many cases they fail. But as parents we’re educated out of failing, when failing actually is the worst thing you can do! He defines creativity with inventing new things that have a value.
cassy on January 11th, 2009 9:32 pm
i like this post this is a very interesting to read, about ignorant and inexperienced in a business, for me it does not matter with or without experienced in running a business,what matter most for me is passion and hard work can bring us to our success!
tom kern on January 12th, 2009 6:17 am
So true. Making a mark .
Jaclyn on January 12th, 2009 4:58 pm
I think that is a great interview! I have accomplished some of the best thing’s in life when i didn’t even know what the heck i was doing at the time. It’s one of those thing’s that just happens, you go with it on mostly gut feeling’s and guessing and it just amazingly work’s out for you against all odds.
buy renters insurance on January 13th, 2009 1:53 pm
I had a similar success in an online business several years back. Looking back at that businesses success, there was a great deal of luck involved. Several years after the business was established, it’s revenue started declining and I made the decision to sell it. It no longer exists now.
I am quite sure I could start a similar business online today based on my experiences and abilities learned from the first, but, that level of luck may not be there this time around. The costs of marketing online today along with the ever increasing competition keeps my thoughts from a reality.
There is also the element of being young and naive and bot really understanding the possible pitfalls I faced then. Hindsight now keeps those fears in the front of my mind when I think of stepping out and taking a chance.
As soon as the kids are grown though, I’m going for it!
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