Scott Andrew - The Rugged Entrepreneur: What Every Disruptive Business Leader Should Know

The Rugged Entrepreneur

What Every Disruptive Business Leader Should Know

2020 Carlton Scott Andrew

All rights reserved.

No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, and photographic, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

Published by Forefront Books.

Cover Design by Bruce Gore, Gore Studio Inc.

Interior Design by Bill Kersey, KerseyGraphics

Jacket Photograph: Markus Spiske / Unsplash

ISBN: 978-1-948-67768-4

ISBN: 978-1-948-67769-1 (eBook)

S AYING THANK YOU FOR THE priceless lessons that so many people helped me learn on my journey to becoming a disruptive Rugged Entrepreneur is almost as challenging as writing a book itself. Considering that challenge, I first wish to thank God for inspiring me to do this and for blessing me with all the wisdom-building experiences (good and bad) that have shaped my life. I am truly grateful for the relationships, examples, opportunities, books, authors, events, successes, failures, and ultimately, for the capabilities that have helped me to empower millions of existing and would-be entrepreneurs. All of those experiences and people are part of this unique accomplishment. Secondly, I must thank my mother and father, and my incredible wife. My parents expected and believed that one should work hard and be good at whatever they decided to do in life. They did not allow my sister or me to quit a hobby or activity until it was finished. My mother also introduced me to the great fun and adventure of reading by encouraging me to spend quiet time in the evenings with a good book. My father and my wife are the two hardest-working people I know. Having the example of my fathers work ethic throughout my life and decades of my wifes unwavering commitment to be a phenomenal Rugged Entrepreneur business partner, as well as my number one cheerleader, have meant more to me than this small acknowledgment could ever convey. To these extraordinary people, I say, THANK YOU.

Whether you think you can, or you think you cant, youre right.

H ENRY F ORD

A S I HAVE ALWAYS SAID and firmly believe, anyone can become an entrepreneur. Millions of people around the world make the leap every year. However, the majority of them dont know what it takes to succeed before they jump in. And if by chance they do experience early success, they likely dont know how to sustain or consistently build upon that success. Rugged Entrepreneurs (aka, Ruggeds) have a totally different story to tell. Ruggeds make the leap toward success in a way that separates them from the millions who fall short because they have invested the time and effort to develop and hone the specific set of powerful skills you will discover in these pages.

I am a highly successful serial entrepreneur whose adventures in business have touched hundreds of other entrepreneurs in a wide variety of industries. I have worked tirelessly to define and exemplify the meaning of Rugged Entrepreneurialism through my actions as well as through my words. My teams and I have inspired and trained scores of other businessmen and businesswomen to become Ruggeds, too, and now we provide various models and consultative services so entrepreneurs can fashion their own profitable businesses as Ruggeds themselves.

Throughout my career, I have met, studied, and coached numerous developing Ruggeds, millionaire Ruggeds, multimillionaire Ruggeds, and billionaire Ruggeds. The differences between them are not that great. In fact, all of the studies I have read and conducted show that between 70 to 80 percent of all Ruggedswhether they are millionaires or billionairesare self-made. That being said, the differences between Ruggeds and those who fail to become Ruggeds are enormous. But dont be discouraged. You can bridge the gap if you truly want to. Anyone can learn to do the things it takes to become a Rugged Entrepreneur, and this book will show you how.

The following pages are not about starting a business, owning a job, or being just another statistic. They are about lasting self-discovery. Theyre about identifying and acquiring the skills to achieve sustained success and to build on top of that success. Theyre about passionately pursuing a productive business life for yourself and your family using the economic engines accessible to us all. But be warned: do not read this book if you do not want to be challenged. Rugged Entrepreneurialism, by definition, is not for people weak of mind, heart, or commitment. Rugged Entrepreneurialism cannot be summed up in one word or even a short phrase. It is multi-dimensional and one of its demands is that you have the humble grit to finish a task started (such as reading this book all the way to the end).

Bear in mind that Ruggeds come in all shapes and sizes, and the term Rugged is blind to color, race, religion, sex, orientation, educational level, upbringing (including whether you were raised in affluence or poverty), or any other classification. Blind is blind. All Ruggeds, however, possess common character traits, habits, and skills. Again, these are traits, habits, and skills anyone can develop. Whether you are someone with aspirations to become a Rugged or you have already acquired a few of these qualities on your own and are looking to develop the complete package, this book is for you.

The early chapters cover the foundational elements every Rugged must develop to be sure they have established a solid base upon which to build. Rugged businesses cannot survive, succeed, and thrive without these elements. The latter chapters focus on additional qualities that not only give Ruggeds the ability to design and customize their business as they wish, but also to become market disruptors as they expand and grow.

In a world where business education is often more complicated than it needs to be, the aim of The Rugged Entrepreneur is to take a more common-sense approach, presenting concepts as simply and directly as possible. It includes real-life examples, factoids, quotes, analogies, poems, and stories so that the messages and lessons of this book can be more effectively committed to memory and easily accessed later as needed. In ancient times, parables, proverbs, and songs helped make similar emotional connections between messages and memory. People enjoyed using them to pass on wisdom from one generation to the next. What all of these features intend to do here is create rapid-fire associations in your mind, which is referred to today as emotional word pictures. These are powerful and instant reminders of what you have learned. I value this type of learning whenever Ive encountered it.

Of course, reading is a type of work. It requires a time commitment that most adults are reluctant to make these days. Having the fortitude to complete this book and to act on its contents also require a willingness to think differently, work differently, live differently, and, ultimately, succeed differently. Being a Rugged Entrepreneur will not be easy, and it certainly will not always be fun. It is not for the many. Rather, it is for the determined few. But its rewards, both personal and financial, are many.