Maribel Núñez Mora, an innovation and leadership coach, and creator of the podcast El poder del riesgo, emphasizes that fear is a natural emotion that can become a driving force for business growth when managed effectively.
“Fear is something natural that protects us, but it also paralyzes us,” Núñez explains. “Instead of focusing on our skills and knowledge to move forward, it gives us the feeling that we need to have everything in place before taking that first step.”
Transforming Fear into Growth
According to Núñez, fear is not eliminated but transformed and can be the impetus that grows your entrepreneurial venture. “When fear takes over, it only starts to limit you. You can’t avoid fear, but you must control and learn to channel it. If you feel fear, it means you’re on the right track, stepping out of your comfort zone to make things happen,” she says.
Entrepreneurship involves learning to coexist with uncertainty, especially when things don’t go as planned. “Just as fear is an uncertain event that could happen, transforming that fear into faith turns it into a positive aspect, giving you certainty that something good will occur,” she adds.
Moving Forward and Adapting
Fear should not immobilize but inspire movement, as entrepreneurs need to progress, adjust their vision, and maintain a clear purpose.
“You must keep moving to clarify where you want to go, because often limiting yourself in your entrepreneurial journey to merely making daily money will leave you small. But if your idea is truly transformative, if what drives you is your purpose, then you clearly understand the goal, the reason behind doing what you’re doing, and from there, you build that ladder,” Núñez explains.
Connecting with Customer Emotions
One of the significant challenges for entrepreneurs is learning to sell, as they may have the best product or service but fail if they don’t communicate its value effectively.
“Customers don’t buy products; they buy emotions. That’s why, as an entrepreneur, you need to connect with what you’re doing from an emotional standpoint and convey it,” Núñez emphasizes.
Neuromarketing is a powerful tool to connect with consumers, as it focuses on creating a value proposition that resonates with the customer rather than just offering a good price.
“Sales should be centered on your personal brand, knowing yourself, communicating effectively, and conveying emotions. Accept that you’re vulnerable just like your client, as we ultimately seek empathy with the person we’re doing business with,” she explains.
The Power of Asking
Many entrepreneurs hesitate due to fear of making mistakes or not having the right answers. Part of the problem lies in our lack of familiarity with asking questions, as answers only arrive when we ask them.
“If you don’t dare to ask, you’ll never get an answer, and in entrepreneurship, there are no good or bad answers—only situations and facts that you must learn to navigate and lead,” Núñez says.
A Event to Overcome Fear and Take Action
To assist entrepreneurs in overcoming fear and making purposeful decisions, Núñez organizes the event “El poder del riesgo” (The Power of Risk), taking place on November 19 at Foro Insurgentes in Mexico City for 390 pesos.
The event targets micro-entrepreneurs, family businesses, and self-employed individuals seeking clarity and direction on growing their businesses.
“The event aims to provide practical clarity and direction on what attendees should do from a human and practical perspective,” Núñez comments.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: How can I manage fear in my entrepreneurial journey? A: Fear is natural and can be transformed into growth by learning to control and channel it. Embrace the feeling as a sign that you’re moving forward.
- Q: How can I effectively communicate my product or service’s value? A: Connect with your customers on an emotional level and convey your unique value proposition using neuromarketing techniques.
- Q: What’s the best way to learn and adapt as an entrepreneur? A: Focus on changing your mindset rather than pursuing technical skills. Connect with the emotional drive that motivates you to succeed.
