Let me tell y’all something. Being an entrepreneur? It ain’t easy. If you’re looking for easy, you better go play in traffic, ‘cause this path right here—it’s for the bold, the brave, and the folks who believe in something bigger than comfort.

Now, I’m talking to all my young entrepreneurs out there. You got a dream? Good. That’s your seed. But if you think that dream is gonna grow into a business just ‘cause you talk about it, you’re already on the wrong track. Dreaming is free—but grinding? That’ll cost you everything.

1. Start Where You Are with What You Have

Let me break this down. You ain’t gotta have a fancy office, a logo, or a team of ten people just to get started. When I was young, all I had was a dream and a prayer. My first “office” was the front seat of a beat-up Ford Tempo. I was eating bologna sandwiches and chasing stage time with nickels in my pocket. But guess what? I showed up.

Don’t let waiting on perfect stop you from making progress. Use what you’ve got—your phone, your voice, your skill—and start now. Start messy. Start scared. Just start.

2. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Success lives outside your comfort zone. Read that again. If you’re trying to play it safe, you gon’ stay right where you are. You want to build something great? Then you gotta be willing to feel awkward, uncertain, even broke for a little while.

There were nights I slept in my car. I didn’t know when my next gig was coming, but I knew what I wasn’t gonna do—quit. That’s the thing about entrepreneurship: it will test you, stretch you, and sometimes straight-up break you. But it’s also gonna make you stronger, wiser, and prepared for the greatness you asked for.

3. Don’t Just Work Hard—Work Smart

Now let’s be clear. I ain’t saying don’t hustle. You better hustle like your future depends on it—because it does. But don’t confuse being busy with being productive. There’s a difference between spinning your wheels and moving forward.

Learn the business side. Read. Ask questions. Find mentors. I always say, “You can’t Google experience.” But you can learn from folks who’ve walked the road before you. Humble yourself and soak it all in.

4. Your Gift Will Make Room for You

Let me get biblical on y’all for a second—because this one’s important. The Bible says, “Your gift will make room for you.” Not your education, not your connections, not your bank account—your gift.

What are you naturally good at? What do people always come to you for? That’s your gift. And when you line your business up with your gift, you stop chasing money and start attracting it. You’ll find fulfillment and financial success when you’re operating in your calling.

Me? My gift was making people laugh. I turned that into a career, into television shows, books, radio, and now a whole brand. But it all started with recognizing the gift God gave me—and honoring it.

5. Keep the Faith, Even When It Don’t Make Sense

Faith is the most powerful currency you’ve got. There are gonna be moments—trust me on this—where nothing around you looks like the vision in your heart. You’ll question everything: your idea, your timing, your talent. But that’s when faith kicks in.

Faith is believing in the unseen. It’s holding on when everybody else lets go. It’s walking toward something that ain’t fully built yet, because you know deep down—it will be. Keep speaking life into your business. Keep trusting that what you build matters.

6. Never Stop Evolving

The world changes every day. Social media, AI, trends—this game moves fast. If you stay stuck in your ways, you’ll get left behind. Stay curious. Keep learning. Get in rooms where you’re not the smartest person, and listen more than you talk.

When I started out, there was no Instagram. No podcasting. But I learned how to adapt. You want to be in this for the long haul? Then you better treat every new skill like it’s a tool for your toolbox.

Final Word: Don’t Wait for Permission

Look—I didn’t wait for anybody to tell me I was ready. I didn’t need an invitation to chase my dream. Neither do you. Stop waiting for someone to discover you, validate you, cosign you. Bet on yourself.

You’ve got something special. Don’t play small. Don’t shrink to make other people comfortable. Step into your purpose like it’s already paid for—because if you’re willing to do the work, it will be.

Stay prayed up. Stay focused. And remember: every great entrepreneur was once a nobody with a crazy idea. So go be great—and don’t look back.

— Steve Harvey 🕊