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Entrepreneurial Tips From a 2,175-Mile Hike

Posted by Gayle Kesten Friday, Mar 21, 2008, 10:14 AM ET

Amid heaps of generic business advice all over the Web, I happened upon an article with five solid, practical tips for solo entrepreneurs -- gleaned from a hike along the Appalachian Trail.

The insightful article was written by WorkingSolo.com founder Terri Lonier, inspired by her hiker cousin, who was making her way across the 14-state, 2,175-mile trail. That's what I call an adventure! Similarly, starting a business is an adventure as well. Doing so requires -- and tests -- your endurance as you make your way along a path filled with peaks, valleys and plateaus. Some days you're bursting with energy, other days you question why you put yourself in such an uncertain environment.

Belinda, Lonier's cousin completed the trail in six months. Realistically you'll need more time to get your start-up off the ground. While pushing yourself to persevere, keep these excerpts in mind:

1. Hike your own hike: More than 2,000 people hike the AT each year; only 25% finish. Like a solo entrepreneurial venture, it's about knowing yourself and choosing to play to your strengths. "I learned to listen to it all, then used what worked for me," Belinda said.

2. A support team is crucial: "I'm connected to my family by phone every few days, and by email when I stop to replenish supplies in a town," Belinda said. "I rely on my support team, but know that this is my adventure."

3. Plan to be flexible: Belinda spent months preparing for her hike, but even with all the preparation, many other elements can cause a change of plans. "I knew I could push on, but would pay later," she said.

4. Each day is a new day: "I know when I fall, I need to get up and look forward, not back," Belinda said. "If you're going to mope about how tough this is, you're not doing yourself any favors."

5. Enjoy it all: For Belinda, mosquitoes, poison ivy, wet boots, bad food, poor weather, and lack of sleep were offset by wildflowers, mountaintop views, fragrant woods, soaking her feet in forest streams, and taking a nap under a canopy of trees. "Even the worst day on the trail is a good day," Belinda said.

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