Lina Tipnis

The latest innovation on offer, under the brand ‘Linarika’, is what has got her all excited. She is more than happy to speak about d most recent addition to the brand, “I have created a caricature of a frog named ‘Mckay’ and I got this digitally printed on my garments. The frog here is an exaggerated embodiment of the qualities we attach to being a human being. He is created to reflect humorously the society we live in, our environment, its related issues and the frivolous, not so frivolous, irrational and sometimes illogical situations and even more logical emotions. Mckay is conceived as iconic, memorable and funny. He can take on many roles – a socialite, a fixer, bridegroom, an activist, traveler or a politician and maybe sometimes, all rolled into one.”

She further asserts, “This technique is all about creating three dimensional illusions of objects of art and culture that have a story to tell. Mckay is a 2D animated property that can be used to connect with different people, talk about different issues, etc.”

With such never-ending enthusiasm to create something that is far from ‘déjà vu’, the new age fashion entrepreneurs merge their instincts along with innovation to reinvent their thinking to come up with something better every single time.

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The first question you should answer when you are thinking of going into business is “Am I the type?” You will be your most important employee. It is more important that you rate yourself objectively than how you rate any prospective employee. Appraise your strengths and your weaknesses. As a prospective operator of your own business, acknowledge that you are weak in certain areas and cover the deficiency by either retraining yourself or hiring someone with the necessary skill. The questions in this test indicate to what extent you have the personal traits important to a business proprietor.

1. Are You a Self-Starter?
• If someone gets me started, I keep going all right.
• I do things my own way. Nobody needs to tell me to get going.
• Easy does it. I don’t put myself out until I have to.

2. How Do You Feel About Other People?
• Most people bug me.
• I like people. I can get along with just about anybody.
• I have enough friends and I don’t need anybody else.

3. Can You Lead Others?
• I can get people to do things if I drive them.
• I can get most people to go along with me without much difficulty.
• I usually let someone else get things moving.

4. Can You Take Responsibility?
• I’ll take over if I have to, but I’d rather let someone else be responsible.
• There’s always some eager beaver around waiting to show off. I say, let him.
• I like to take charge of and see things through.

5. How Good An Organizer Are You?
• I like to have a plan before I start. I’m usually the one who lines things up.
• I do all right unless things get too complicated. Then I may cop out.
• I just take things as they come.

6. How Good a Worker Are You?
• I can’t see that hard work gets you anywhere.
• I’ll work hard for a time, but when I’ve had enough, that’s it.
• I can keep going as long as necessary. I don’t mind working hard.

7. Can You Make Decisions?
• I can if I have plenty of time. If I have to make up my mind fast, I usually regret it.
• I can make up my mind in a hurry if necessary, and my decision is usually O.K.
• I don’t like to be the one who decides things. I’d probably blow it.

8. Can People Trust What You Say?
• I try to be on the level, but sometimes I just say what’s easiest.
• They sure can. I don’t say things I don’t mean.
• What’s the sweat if the other fellow doesn’t know the difference?

9. Can You Stick With It?
• If I make up my mind to do something, I don’t let anything stop me.
• If a job doesn’t go right, I turn off. Why beat your brains out?
• I usually finish what I start.

10. Can You Keep Records?
• Records are not important. I know what’s needed to be known without keeping records.
• I can, but it’s more important to get the work out than to shuffle numbers.
• Since they are needed I’ll keep records even though I don’t want to.

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1. Developing ideas:
Clever product and service ideas are a dime a dozen. Everybody has one, and most of them never get implemented. The successful entrepreneur starts with a basic idea. This idea is first tested to staying power. Can it be used to grow a customer base, and will it be profitable? The pseudo-entrepreneurial itch often ends before the basic idea gets tested. Studies show that a high percentage of people who open new businesses do so because they are frustrated with their current job. They’ll jump into any business venture that comes along without first checking it out. Ninety percent of this group will go out of business in their first year.

• Be Creative
The opposite of creativity is rigidity. Entrepreneurs are not rigid in their thinking. If you cling to the old ways of doing things because “that’s the way we have always done it,” you’ll never come up with the new solutions that are demanded by today’s small businesses. To test your creative ability, practice finding ways to tie together seemingly unrelated ideas.

• Understand Every Problem
You must have a clear understanding of what it is you are trying to achieve and be able to identify the obstacles that stand in your way. Break each problem down so that you understand it and know what you need to do to eliminate it. For example, the problem may be that you need more space. Why do you need more space, and what are the alternatives? An alternative may pose a new set of problems, but if they reduce the magnitude of the original problem, the alternative may be a more viable option.

• Brainstorming:
When you come up with a solution to a problem, brainstorm the solution with as many qualified people as you can find to avoid judging your own answer. Accept modifications that make sense, and be prepared to replace the solution with a totally new and better alternative. The key to the brainstorming process is to be objective. Brainstorming is an excellent way to come up with a new set of ideas for new products, services, or improvements that could accelerate the growth of your business.

2. Evaluation:
The ability to examine important facts about the business and to determine the least risky way to proceed.

3. Organization:
The ability to organize all the resources of the business in order to make it run in the most efficient manner.

4. Research:
The ability to obtain all the necessary information to insure that the best possible decisions are made.

5. Self-Control:
Entrepreneurs do not function well in structured organizations and do not like someone having authority over them. Most believe they can do the job better than anyone else and will strive for maximum responsibility and accountability. They enjoy creating business strategies and thrive on the process of achieving their goals. Once they achieve a goal, they quickly replace it with a greater goal. They strive to exert whatever influence they can over future events.

6. Self-Confidence:
Entrepreneurs are self-confident when they are in control of what they’re doing and working alone. They tackle problems immediately with confidence and are persistent in their pursuit of their objectives. Most are at their best in the face of adversity, since they thrive on their own self-confidence.

7. Sense of Urgency:
Entrepreneurs have a never-ending sense of urgency to develop their ideas. Inactivity makes them impatient, tense, and uneasy. They thrive on activity and are not likely to be found sitting on bank fishing unless the fish are biting. When they are in the entrepreneurial mode, they are more likely to be found getting things done instead of fishing.

8. Comprehensive Awareness:
Successful entrepreneurs can comprehend complex situations that may include planning, making strategic decisions, and working on multiple business ideas simultaneously. They are farsighted and aware of important details, and they will continuously review all possibilities to achieve their business objectives. At the same time,
they devote their energy to completing the tasks immediately before them.

9. Realism:
Entrepreneurs accept things as they are and deal with them accordingly. They may or may not be idealistic, but they are seldom unrealistic. They will change their direction when they see that change will improve their prospects for achieving their goals. They will verify any information they receive before they use it in making a decision. Entrepreneurs say what they mean and assume that everyone else does too. They tend to be too trusting and may not be sufficiently suspicious in their business dealings with other people.

10. Conceptual Ability:
Entrepreneurs possess the ability to identify relationships quickly in the midst of complex situations. They identify problems and begin working on their solution faster than other people. They are not troubled by ambiguity and uncertainty because they are used to solving problems. Entrepreneurs are natural leaders and are usually the first to identify a problem to be overcome. If it is pointed out to them that their solution to a problem will not work for some valid reason, they will quickly identify an alternative problem-solving approach.

11. Communication and Human Relations:
Ability to understand and interact with people of varying personalities and values. This is important when dealing with employees, bankers, investors, partners, suppliers and customers.

12. Status requirement:
Entrepreneurs find satisfaction in symbols of success that are external to themselves. Successful entrepreneurs find their satisfaction of status needs in the performance of their business, not in the appearance they present to their peers and to the public. They will postpone acquiring status items like a luxury car until they are certain that their business is stable.

13. Interpersonal Relationships:
Entrepreneurs are more concerned with people’s accomplishments than with their feelings. They generally avoid becoming personally involved and will not hesitate to sever relationships that could hinder the progress of their business. During the business-building period, when resources are scarce, they seldom devote time to dealing with satisfying people’s feelings beyond what is essential to achieving their goals.

14. Emotional Stability:
Entrepreneurs have a considerable amount of self-control and can handle business pressures. They are comfortable in stress situations and are challenged rather than discouraged by setbacks or failures. Entrepreneurs are uncomfortable when things are going well. They’ll frequently find some new activity on which to vent their pent-up energy. They are not content to leave well enough alone.

Entrepreneurs tend to handle people problems with action plans without empathy.

15. Flexibility:
Receptive to change, ability to adjust perceptions, goals or actions based on an assessment of new information: a rigid, conservative personality is not a trait of a successful entrepreneur. Capable of dealing with many subjects or tasks at the same time; qualified to assume different roles and switch back and forth as required.

16. Continuous Goal Setting:
Ability to set clear goals that are challenging but attainable. Ability to continually re-evaluate and adjust goals to make sure that they are consistent with your interests, talents, and values, as well as your personal and business needs. Rather than being content with reaching goals, successful entrepreneurs tend to continue setting new goals to challenge themselves.

17. Feedback and Objectivity:
The skill to seek and use feedback on personal performance and goals for the business; the skill to take remedial action. Ability to distinguish between yourself and the business. The desire to deal with issues and decisions rationally and logically rather than emotionally.

The 12 Steps to Entrepreneurial Success

Step 1. Understanding Yourself
Step 2. Getting Things Done
Step 3. Apply Yourself- Don’t Be Lazy
Step 4. The Importance of Getting Organized
Step 5. Keep Your Emotions in Check
Step 6. Learn to Say No
Step 7. Practice the “Golden Rule” in all of Your Affairs.
Step 8. Avoid the Perils of Expansion
Step 9. If You Want Success Ask for it. And Keep Asking.
Step 10. Manage Your Money- Your Most Important Asset.
Step 11. Recognize The Risk
Step 12. A Sure Way to Fail: Quit too Soon!

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In every instance, the founders either had or acquired the experience and knowledge they needed to startup and run the business. They recognized what their weak points were, subsequently nurtured alliances, and acquired the skills they needed to start their company off right. They also understood how the various parts of the business fit together to form a total structure and knew that if one part were missing, the total structure would break. For example, they knew that a successful sales plan is directly dependent upon support from the marketing and promotional plans, and that the strategic business plan acts as the glue that holds the entire sub plans together so that they work in concert.

Business professionals have learned a lot about what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs prefer individual sports, such as golf, skiing, or tennis, over team sports. They prefer games in which their own brawn and brain directly influence the outcome and pace of the game. They have drive and high energy levels, they are achievement-oriented, and they are tireless in the pursuit of their goals.

In large, structured organizations, entrepreneurs are easy to recognize by the statements they make: “If they wanted that job done right, they should have given it to me.” A dominant characteristic of entrepreneurs is their belief that they are smarter than their peers and superiors. They have a compelling need to do their own thing in their own way. They need the freedom to choose and to act according to their own perception of what actions will result in success.

Although no one has found the perfect entrepreneurial profile, there are many characteristics that show up repeatedly.

The Entrepreneur:
1. Likes to compete
2. Is a self-starter
3. Is able to determine risk and has the courage to take risks but is not a gambler
4. Is independent and self-confident, yet knows when to get help
5. Is able to do many things at once
6. Likes a challenge
7. Is creative, and has dreams and goals
8. Likes to work for him/herself and be in control
9. Hardworking and willing to stick with a project
10. Is not easily discouraged
11. Is in good health, has lots of energy and can handle stress
12. Has a strong sense of self-worth
13. Is motivated by a strong desire to achieve and attain financial success
14. Is a positive thinker who does not dwell on setbacks
15. Focuses his/her attention on the chances of success rather than the chances of failure
16. Often has a close friend or relative who owns a business
17. Is often a recent immigrant to North America (within two generations)

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