E39: Jamal Edwards - From Media Student To Multimillionaire

Oct 10, 2019 1h 2m 21 insights
Jamal Edwards MBE, founder of SBTV, shares his journey as a young entrepreneur, discussing challenges like anxiety, public pressure, and the importance of mindset. He emphasizes finding fulfillment in giving back, prioritizing health and family, and building resilience in business.
Actionable Insights

1. Control Mindset on Discrimination

Don’t let the belief that your background (race, age, gender) will hold you back trap you; instead, cultivate a mindset focused on being the change you want to see and connecting diverse groups, rather than blaming external factors.

2. Find Fulfillment in Giving Back

Shift your focus from money as the primary source of happiness to the fulfillment derived from giving back and improving other people’s lives, as this brings a deeper sense of purpose.

3. Prioritize Health and Family

Appreciate life and make the most of your time by pursuing goals, but always maintain a healthy lifestyle and provide for your family, as health is wealth and neglecting it impacts your ability to build a business.

4. Process Bad News Systematically

When facing setbacks like failed pitches or lost investments, approach them with an organized, positive mental attitude rather than emotionally. Learn to delegate tasks instead of trying to do everything yourself, which can negatively impact health and mindset.

5. Manage Anxiety with Lifestyle

Combat anxiety and low moods by eating better (avoiding heavy meals), exercising regularly, switching off, and spending time with friends. Re-engage with hobbies that provide a complete escape from daily pressures to find relief.

6. Create Oomph Moments Strategically

Plan and create significant ‘oomph moments’ (e.g., big events, key achievements) in your career, ideally one per quarter, to reignite your motivation and remind your audience of your presence and impact.

7. Overcome Procrastination by Acting

Procrastination often stems from overthinking a task until you talk yourself out of immediate action, or from fear of failure. To combat this, identify the psychological barrier and confront the task directly rather than avoiding it.

8. Embrace and Share Vulnerability

Acknowledge and take ‘me time’ when feeling demotivated or down, even if it means stepping back from social media. It’s important to share the realistic ups and downs of your journey, not just the positive, to show authenticity and help others.

As a young leader, don’t let the age or experience of older employees sway your decisions if you believe in your vision. Learn to assert your own direction and overcome the fear of telling older team members what to do.

10. Start a Business at Any Age

Don’t let your age be a barrier to starting a business, as entrepreneurship is now more accessible and accepted at any age and from any background. People are breaking down barriers and making it happen regardless of age.

11. Expect and Learn from Rejection

Understand that you won’t win every pitch or opportunity, and this is a normal part of business. Instead of dwelling on losses, re-pitch and learn from what went wrong to improve for next time.

12. Prioritize Your Audience

Always remember that your audience is the most important aspect of your business; if people stop caring about what you’re doing, your business will struggle. Focus on maintaining engagement and relevance with your consumers.

13. Unlock Your Inner Passion

Recognize that everyone has a passion or purpose within them, regardless of age. Seek out triggers or opportunities that can unlock this passion, then commit to pursuing it.

14. Leverage Your Network for Others

Use your professional network and contacts to create opportunities, such as work experience, for young people or those in need. This helps build their self-belief and confidence, which is a powerful form of giving back.

15. Build Confidence via Interactions

Engage in activities that force you to interact with people and step outside your comfort zone, even if they seem frightening. These experiences can significantly build your confidence and improve your social skills.

16. Understand Money’s Fleeting Nature

Recognize that money is a love-hate relationship; it comes and goes and doesn’t guarantee happiness or last forever. While important for family, don’t let it be your sole focus, as it can lead to loneliness if spent only on oneself.

17. Identify True Friends Through Distance

Moving away from your social circle can reveal who your true friends are, as only a few will make the effort to visit. This helps you understand who genuinely cares.

18. Develop Coping for Loneliness

Entrepreneurship can be lonely, especially when young and without a support group. Over time, develop effective coping mechanisms and build a strong support system to navigate these periods.

19. Cultivate a Personal Brand

Beyond your core business, actively build and develop your personal brand to create new opportunities and avenues for impact. This allows for diversification and pursuing passions outside the main venture.

20. Embrace Healthy Dissatisfaction

Understand that true satisfaction is elusive for ambitious individuals, and a healthy level of dissatisfaction can be a continuous driver for growth and new achievements.

21. Maintain Relentless Persistence

No matter the challenges or setbacks, cultivate a mindset of continuous effort and persistence. Keep moving forward with your goals and aspirations.