Busola Bamidele
In a world increasingly defined by volatility and change, building a business that lasts goes beyond owning a product or delivering a service—it requires a mindset. This was the central argument made by Dr. Biodun Adedipe, respected economic consultant and business strategist, in a recent session of Entrepreneur Toolkit series.
Dr. Adedipe emphasized that entrepreneurship is no longer limited to business ownership; it is a way of thinking that applies to everyone—whether you're a founder, a corporate leader, or a professional in any field. "Wherever you find yourself, you must think like an entrepreneur—with purpose, vision, and a clear sense of value creation," he said.
He introduced the concept of enterprise resilience—the ability to adapt, pivot, and lead effectively, even amid uncertainty. Sharing his personal journey, Dr. Adedipe recalled how he left a high-level banking role in the 1990s to establish his consulting firm. "People thought I wouldn't last," he said, "but I identified strategic gaps and aligned my services to meet real market needs."
Drawing from decades of experience, he outlined six essential traits of successful entrepreneurs:
- Creativity: the ability to generate fresh ideas and reimagine solutions.
- Risk-taking: making bold moves despite uncertainty.
- Discipline: staying focused and consistent, even when rewards are delayed.
- Resilience: bouncing back from failure and learning from setbacks.
- Business intelligence: understanding numbers, operations, and how markets work.
- People skills: building strong relationships and networks that support growth.
He also clarified that a business plan outlines how to compete, while a business model explains how to earn.
"If you don't reinvent your business, someone else will," he concluded—a timely reminder for those looking to build ventures that are both scalable and sustainable.
