What do entrepreneurial titans Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos all have in common, apart from being grouped together as some of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time? Well, they are all introverts, which may seem astonishing at first glance. In her book, The Introvert Entrepreneur, author Beth Buelow, looks at the steps that introverts can take to harness the power of their natural abilities and talents, such as listening, and channel them to help overcome the challenges they face in their day to day entrepreneurial journeys.
“Introvert entrepreneurs such as Bill Gates, Larry Page, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Tony Hsieh, Guy Kawasaki and others have transformed our lives, not by pretending to be extroverts, but by applying their introvert strengths to their entrepreneurial endeavours.”
- Beth Buelow, author of The Introvert Entrepreneur
For many entrepreneurs, the ability to efficiently network with potential customers, business partners, stakeholders and others, is critical to success and embraced with an almost evangelical zeal. In fact, when it comes to starting a business, many would take on the mistaken assumption that entrepreneurial success belongs to those who are naturally extrovert. The reality is somewhat different, however. There are many entrepreneurs out there, such as those well-known icons of the business world mentioned previously, that are absolute introverts, many with an aversion to networking and a comfort factor that is felt behind the scenes, not in front of them. In The Introvert Entrepreneur, author and business coach, Beth Buelow, provides some fascinating insights and practical tips to dealing with the challenges that most of us as entrepreneurs take for granted, such as networking, sales, self promotion, collaboration and maintaining high energy levels. The whole premise of the book is a 10 step plan to helping introvert entrepreneurs to amplify their strengths and create success on their own terms. It explores a range of entrepreneurial topics from the viewpoint of the introvert, including how deal with fear of failure, networking, marketing and sales, creating a sense of community in the business, and expansion. The book shares stories and lessons from introverts who have successfully defied the stereotypical notions of what makes a successful entrepreneur, looking at how they have built successful businesses and created a way of life that celebrates their natural energy and approach to life.
About the author
Beth Buelow was in elementary school when she outlined the marketing plan for her first entrepreneurial idea, twenty-three when she learned she was an introvert, and thirty-eight when in 2010 she put the two together to create the Introvert Entrepreneur, a personal and professional development company. Since founding the company, Beth has established herself as the go-to person for introvert entrepreneurs across the globe. She is known for her sharp observations on the introvert nature, her accessibility online and in person, and her willingness to reveal her own entrepreneurial challenges alongside intelligent, heart-centered strategies for overcoming them. Beth is a professional speaker, certified coach and corporate trainer, and has coached dozens of introverted clients, trained hundreds and spoken to thousands along her journey, on the subjects of entrepreneurship, communication and leadership. On a personal level, she is a trained classical musician, arts administrator, non-profit professional, and entrepreneur. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the University of Louisville, a master’s degree in music performance from North Western University, and a master’s degree in arts administration from Indiana University. Beth also has an extremely popular podcast, The Introvert Entrepreneur, featuring well-known and emerging introvert entrepreneurs.
Website: theintrovertentrepreneur.com
Why LoA loves it….
Anyone who sees themselves as a natural introvert, but with a passion for entrepreneurship and the drive to build highly successful businesses and brands, will connect with Beth Buelow and her book The Introvert Entrepreneur. She has a real empathy for those who have an entrepreneurial vision but want to realise it on their own terms. She provides practical steps that will help any introvert entrepreneur to harness their strengths as a means of addressing the challenges that could hold them back, and instead celebrates the traits that make them unique. This is a great read for any entrepreneur that has battled with the challenge of walking into a room full of strangers and networking or making a pitch, and provides a different but just as effective way of doing things. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and CEO of Lionesses of Africa