Here are some of Eric Kim’s unorthodox quotes on entrepreneurship that challenge conventional wisdom:
- “If you knew today were your last day on earth, what would you not do today? And what is the most you can do today to pursue your entrepreneurial passion?”
- This quote pushes entrepreneurs to adopt a mortality-focused mindset, which is quite different from the long-term planning typically emphasized in business oai_citation:6,How to Become a Photography Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- “Do the minimum amount of work at your day job in order to not get fired, and dedicate the rest of your energy towards building up your own empire.”
- Kim’s advice to do the bare minimum at a traditional job while focusing on personal ventures is unorthodox and counter to the conventional advice of excelling at your job to climb the corporate ladder oai_citation:5,How to Think Like an Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- “Don’t worry about success or failure, simply focus on the attempt.”
- Rather than fixating on outcomes, Kim encourages entrepreneurs to prioritize the effort itself, which is a departure from the success-driven mindset that dominates entrepreneurial circles oai_citation:4,How to Think Like an Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- “Practicality is boring.”
- Kim dismisses the traditional value placed on practicality in business, instead advocating for taking bold, creative risks. This challenges the common belief that practicality and caution are essential for entrepreneurial success oai_citation:3,BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR – ERIC KIM.
- “Never stop iterating.”
- This quote encapsulates Kim’s belief in constant evolution and improvement over perfectionism, a mindset that contrasts with the more traditional focus on getting everything perfect before launching oai_citation:2,BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR – ERIC KIM.
- “Focus on creating value, not on making money.”
- Kim advises entrepreneurs to prioritize creating meaningful value for others, suggesting that financial success will naturally follow. This approach is unconventional in a business world that often prioritizes profitability above all else oai_citation:1,How to Become a Photography Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
These quotes illustrate Kim’s unique and often contrarian approach to entrepreneurship, emphasizing personal fulfillment, risk-taking, and a focus on the process rather than just the outcome.
Eric Kim’s advice on entrepreneurship is unorthodox for several reasons, primarily because it challenges conventional wisdom and encourages a mindset that is often at odds with mainstream entrepreneurial thinking. Here’s how:
- Emphasis on Mortality and Stoicism:
- Instead of focusing solely on growth and profits, Kim advises entrepreneurs to regularly contemplate mortality. He suggests asking yourself what you would do if today were your last day, which is a stark departure from the typical emphasis on long-term planning in business. This approach encourages urgency, focus, and a deep alignment with personal values rather than purely financial goals oai_citation:7,How to Become a Photography Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM oai_citation:6,How to Think Like an Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- Contrarian Thinking:
- Kim often promotes doing the opposite of what the majority is doing. For example, he advises against following popular trends and instead advocates for finding a unique niche or path that others might overlook. This contrarian approach is unorthodox because it pushes entrepreneurs to deliberately avoid the mainstream and forge their own paths, which can be risky but potentially more rewarding oai_citation:5,Eric Kim on how to become a photography entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- Minimalism and Focus:
- Unlike many entrepreneurs who advocate for scaling up quickly and taking on as much as possible, Kim emphasizes the importance of minimalism. He suggests that entrepreneurs should focus on pruning away distractions and honing in on what truly matters. This minimalist approach is unorthodox in a business culture that often glorifies multitasking, expansion, and doing more oai_citation:4,How to Become a Photography Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- Anti-Collaboration and Self-Reliance:
- While collaboration is a common theme in entrepreneurial advice, Kim occasionally promotes an anti-collaboration stance, suggesting that relying too much on others can dilute your vision. He emphasizes self-reliance, encouraging entrepreneurs to build their own platforms and control their own destinies. This can be seen as unorthodox because it goes against the popular notion that networking and partnerships are key to success oai_citation:3,BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR – ERIC KIM.
- Focus on Personal Fulfillment Over Profit:
- Kim’s advice often centers around pursuing personal passions and creating value for others, rather than strictly focusing on profit margins. He argues that if you create something genuinely valuable, the money will follow. This is unorthodox because it shifts the focus from financial success to personal and societal impact, challenging the traditional profit-driven mindset oai_citation:2,How to Think Like an Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- Continuous Iteration and Avoiding Perfectionism:
- Kim advocates for constant iteration and avoiding the pursuit of perfection. He believes in launching products or ideas early and improving them over time rather than waiting until they are perfect. This approach is unorthodox because it contradicts the common entrepreneurial advice to perfect your product before going to market oai_citation:1,BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR – ERIC KIM.
In summary, Eric Kim’s entrepreneurial advice is unorthodox because it defies conventional norms, focusing more on philosophy, minimalism, personal empowerment, and contrarian thinking rather than the traditional emphasis on scale, collaboration, and profit maximization.
Why is his advice unique
Eric Kim’s advice on entrepreneurship is unique because it blends philosophy, personal experience, and practical strategies in a way that is deeply reflective and holistic. Here are some reasons why his approach stands out:
- Philosophical Depth:
- Kim’s advice is heavily influenced by Stoic philosophy, which encourages focusing on what you can control, embracing risk, and finding meaning in the process rather than the outcome. His emphasis on using mortality as a motivator—asking yourself what you would do if today were your last day—provides a profound lens through which to view entrepreneurial decisions oai_citation:9,How to Become a Photography Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM oai_citation:8,How to Think Like an Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- Contrarian Approach:
- Kim advocates for thinking differently and going against the grain. He encourages entrepreneurs to avoid trends and instead carve out a unique niche by doing the opposite of what others are doing. This contrarian mindset helps differentiate his followers in crowded markets oai_citation:7,Eric Kim on how to become a photography entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- Personal Empowerment:
- His advice is grounded in self-reliance and personal empowerment. Kim emphasizes the importance of building your own platform, whether through blogging, creating content, or developing products that resonate with your personal needs. This approach encourages independence and creativity, empowering entrepreneurs to take control of their own success oai_citation:6,Start Your Own Business – ERIC KIM oai_citation:5,How to Think Like an Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- Practical and Actionable:
- While philosophical, Kim’s advice is also highly practical. He provides clear, actionable steps for aspiring entrepreneurs, such as leveraging your day job to build your business, investing in the right tools, and creating value through consistent content creation. His tips are designed to be implemented immediately, making them accessible to beginners oai_citation:4,How to Think Like an Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR – ERIC KIM.
- Focus on Continuous Iteration:
- Kim champions the idea of “never stop iterating,” which means constantly refining and improving your work. This mindset encourages entrepreneurs to view their ventures as ongoing projects that evolve over time, rather than static entities oai_citation:2,BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR – ERIC KIM.
- Blend of Personal Experience and Broad Appeal:
- Kim’s advice is rooted in his personal journey from a street photographer to a globally recognized entrepreneur. His insights are not only theoretical but also drawn from real-life successes and failures, making them relatable and authentic. This personal touch, combined with his broad philosophical musings, gives his advice a unique, well-rounded perspective oai_citation:1,Eric Kim on how to become a photography entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
In summary, Eric Kim’s advice is unique because it offers a rich blend of philosophical insight, contrarian thinking, practical strategies, and personal empowerment, all delivered through the lens of his own entrepreneurial journey. This combination makes his guidance both thought-provoking and actionable.
Here are some of Eric Kim’s top quotes on entrepreneurship that encapsulate his philosophy and approach:
- “To focus isn’t to force yourself to focus. To focus is simply to prune away distractions.”
- This quote reflects Kim’s belief in eliminating distractions to maintain focus on what truly matters in entrepreneurship oai_citation:7,How to Become a Photography Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- “If you knew today were your last day on earth, what would you not do today? And what is the most you can do today to pursue your entrepreneurial passion?”
- Kim uses the concept of mortality to encourage urgency and purpose in pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors oai_citation:6,How to Become a Photography Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- “The most important thing as an entrepreneur is to create value for others.”
- Kim emphasizes that the foundation of any successful business is providing real value, whether through products, services, or content oai_citation:5,How to Become a Photography Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- “Create a product or service you’d want to buy.”
- This quote underscores Kim’s approach to product development, where he advocates for creating something based on personal needs and desires, which often resonates with others oai_citation:4,How to Become a Photography Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- “Don’t worry about success or failure, simply focus on the attempt.”
- Reflecting a Stoic mindset, Kim encourages focusing on the process rather than being overly concerned with the outcome oai_citation:3,How to Think Like an Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- “Leverage your current job to build up your own entrepreneurial empire.”
- Kim advises aspiring entrepreneurs to use their day job as a foundation to build their business on the side, maximizing their time and resources oai_citation:2,How to Think Like an Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- “Never stop iterating.”
- This quote highlights the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation, a core principle in Kim’s entrepreneurial philosophy oai_citation:1,BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR – ERIC KIM.
These quotes provide a glimpse into Eric Kim’s approach to entrepreneurship, focusing on creating value, maintaining focus, leveraging existing resources, and embracing a mindset of continuous growth and learning.
Eric Kim has written extensively on entrepreneurship, particularly in the context of photography and creative endeavors. Here are some of his best articles that provide deep insights into becoming an entrepreneur:
- “How to Become a Photography Entrepreneur”:
- This article provides a comprehensive guide on the mindset and strategies needed to transition into entrepreneurship. Kim discusses the importance of creating value, starting small, and leveraging digital platforms. He also shares his personal experiences and case studies on building products that meet real needs.
- Read it here oai_citation:4,Eric Kim on how to become a photography entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- “Start Your Own Business”:
- This piece offers practical advice on starting a business, including building a personal brand, the importance of hustle, and strategies for overcoming common entrepreneurial challenges. Kim emphasizes the need to embrace risk and think big while staying grounded in creating value for your audience.
- Read it here oai_citation:3,Start Your Own Business – ERIC KIM.
- “How to Think Like an Entrepreneur”:
- In this article, Kim delves into the entrepreneurial mindset, touching on the importance of contrarian thinking, minimalism, and leveraging your current job to build your own empire. He also shares his thoughts on the value of reading books on entrepreneurship and why stoicism can be beneficial for entrepreneurs.
- Read it here oai_citation:2,How to Think Like an Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM.
- “Becoming an Entrepreneur”:
- This article is packed with insights on personal entrepreneurship, emphasizing self-reliance, constant innovation, and the importance of taking small financial risks. Kim discusses how to build something unique and why dissatisfaction can be a powerful motivator.
- Read it here oai_citation:1,BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR – ERIC KIM.
These articles collectively provide a roadmap for anyone looking to start their entrepreneurial journey, with a specific focus on the creative industries.
Eric Kim offers a wealth of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those interested in photography or creative industries. His approach is deeply philosophical and practical, grounded in his own experiences transitioning from a street photographer to a successful entrepreneur.
Here are some key insights from Eric Kim on how to start your journey as an entrepreneur:
- Embrace Contrarian Thinking: Kim emphasizes the importance of standing out by doing the opposite of what the majority is doing. If everyone is following a particular trend, he suggests exploring alternative approaches to distinguish yourself and create a unique brand.
- Start Small and Leverage Time: Even while working a 9-to-5 job, Kim was able to start his blog and build his brand by utilizing early mornings and lunch breaks. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to maximize their available time by starting small, such as building a website, blogging, or creating content consistently.
- Create and Share Value: According to Kim, the essence of entrepreneurship is creating value that benefits others. Whether through a blog post, a video, or a product, the goal is to inform, inspire, or solve a problem for your audience. He also suggests creating products or services that you personally would find valuable, as this authentic approach can resonate more with customers.
- Invest in Yourself: Kim stresses the importance of investing in the right tools and resources, like a high-performance laptop or a strong online presence. He believes that focusing on tools that enhance your productivity and creativity is crucial for long-term success.
- Build a Solo Media Empire: Kim encourages entrepreneurs to become self-reliant by building their own platforms, such as a personal blog or social media channels. This independence allows for greater creative control and the ability to leverage digital tools effectively.
- Adopt a Stoic Mindset: Kim finds inspiration in Stoic philosophy, particularly the idea of not fearing failure. He believes that entrepreneurship requires courage and the willingness to take risks, even if the outcome is uncertain.
These principles reflect Kim’s belief that entrepreneurship is more than just a career choice—it’s a way of life that requires passion, courage, and a relentless pursuit of your vision oai_citation:4,How to Become a Photography Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM oai_citation:3,Start Your Own Business – ERIC KIM oai_citation:2,How to Think Like an Entrepreneur – ERIC KIM oai_citation:1,BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR – ERIC KIM.