Stop Worrying About What You Don't Know and Just Focus on Opportunities - Shaun Stenning

Making your startup successful has far more to do with what you'll figure out than what you already know.

There's a brutal truth in life that some people refuse to accept--you have no control over many of the things that happen in life.

According to Shaun Stenning, “Entrepreneurs are ambitious problem solvers. In fact, they're becoming so effective at what they do, incumbent firms have no choice but to stand up and pay attention -- lest an energetic, insurgent start-up takes too big a piece of the pie.”

“A critical shift in mindset is at the heart of this success. Today's entrepreneurs are de-emphasizing experience and expertise in favor of pursuing the raw opportunity.” Shaun Stenning said. 

The most successful entrepreneurs set their direction based on prevailing opportunity rather than previous experience.

The stuff of legend.

Jeff Bezos took Amazon.com from his garage to a multi-billion dollar company. He believed "if you decide that you’re going to do only the things you know are going to work, you’re going to leave a lot of opportunity on the table." Bezos understood that past experience could be a limiting factor when it came to exploring the most relevant and valuable options for creating value.

High stakes and even higher returns.

Another great example of opportunity over experience comes from the privatization of the Turkish spirit, Raki. As the national drink, Raki was manufactured and sold by a state-run monopoly.

Shaped by need.

Entrepreneurial activity grows from an increasing desire to escape more traditional working environments. It also springs from necessity. Current economic conditions have left many without historically typical employment options.