This archive report was first published on 11 September 2019.
When given the chance to speak with a successful entrepreneur, what one thing would you ask about running a business? For TD Jakes, the answer is clear: the need to have models before seeking mentors.
As he explains, having different mentors for different areas of your life is essential, but without models of what you're trying to achieve, it's like trying to build something you've never seen. 'It's hard to be what you didn't see,' he says. 'So once you see it modelled in front of you, it becomes a lot easier to do it.'
For Jakes, Dr. Martin Luther King was a model he aspired to emulate. 'I was awed by him from a child's perspective because my father was,' he recalls. 'And to see my father that impressed about something another man did with the microphone caused me to have a deep appreciation for the ability to articulate that.'
One thing that many entrepreneurs struggle with is capital. To address this issue, Jakes wrote 'Soar: Build Your Vision From The Ground Up.' This book offers practical advice on how to overcome the capital issue and build a successful business.
As Jakes notes, 'if you ask for money you get advice, if you ask for advice you get money.' This wisdom is essential for entrepreneurs looking to build their businesses without relying on external funding.
