Music for Makers entrepreneurs and longhairs

5 Traits of Entrepreneurs and Longhaired Gentlemen

In Advocate by Logan Nickleson14 Comments

entrepreneurs and longhairs

In September of last year, I launched my first business. It’s also around that time my hair had grown long enough to tie up.

Coincidence? Maybe not.

When I look back on the past two years of growing out my hair, it’s clear that specific character traits gave me the strength to endure the trials of long hair and now deal with longhair problems.

And when I think about Music for Makers — the royalty-free music business I started last year — I realize many of the same traits have helped me as an entrepreneur.

So through tackling both, I’ve noticed five traits that entrepreneurs and longhairs share. Whether you’re looking to launch your first product, grow a radical mane, or both, these characteristics will guide your path to the promised land.

 

1. You have a vision and you’re no stranger to commitment

It starts with visualizing a) your goals, and b) what success will look like. And this is arguably the most exciting part. You imagine feeling the freedom of being your own boss and doing what you love every day. You dream about throwing down devastating hair whips.

But the thing is you don’t start a business overnight. It takes time.

The same is true with your hair: it’s the long game. And the vision is what keeps you going when the resistance creeps in.

 

2. You think differently and may even break a few rules

Generally speaking, today’s society believes men should have short hair.

Longhairs say, “Nah.”

Likewise, the most successful entrepreneurs are open-minded and not afraid to bend or break a few rules — which, honestly, I did with my own business. (I mean, really, who gives royalty-free music away for free?)

Sir Richard Branson said, “You don’t learn to walk by following rules.” Do you think it’s a coincidence he’s both a serial entrepreneur and a longhaired gentleman?

Nope. He understands some of the best things in life result from breaking rules.

As a longhair, you encounter resistance because you’re swimming upstream, going against the grain, breaking rules. But you do it anyway.

 

3. You’re confident, despite an uncertain future

In your journey of starting a business or growing your hair, there will be people who don’t believe in you. You might struggle to believe in yourself.

But ultimately, you know who you are. And per number one above, you know where you want to go.

You must have a tolerance for ambiguity because you don’t know what the future holds. Your business could fail. You might look goofy with long hair.

But above all, it’s about believing in yourself.

 

4. You’re driven by an unwavering passion

In entrepreneurship and in growing out your hair, there will be times when things suck.

That’s the reality.

Maybe — after months of hard work — you launch your product to the chirps of crickets. Perhaps your hair seems to be growing at the imperceptible pace of a glacier.

What separates you from the rest is what you do next: you don’t give up. You keep fighting.

In The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth: Entrepreneurship for Weirdos, Misfits, and World Dominators, author, entrepreneur, and former Longhair Chris Brogan writes, “What you don’t do is surrender. You might retreat occasionally, but you don’t give up.”

Entrepreneurs and longhairs share this tendency for tenacity and resilience. After getting knocked down, they bounce back with more determination, not less. Persistence precedes success.

Whether you’re talking about building a business or avoiding the scissors — it’s not easy. If it were, everyone would do it.

 

5. You seek help when you need it

Confession: I tend to want to tackle entire projects by myself. But that’s not practical. In fact, it’s counterproductive because I’m never going to be fully competent in every conceivable area.

For example, I’m not a developer. So if I want to build an app, I must talk to one. Otherwise, I don’t even know where to begin.

And there’s no shame in that. The entrepreneurs who realize they need help are more likely to succeed.

The same is true for long hair — especially if you, like me, have never grown your hair out before. No one ever explained to me the nuances of growing long hair.

At least not until I joined the Longhairs.

Now I know how to tie my hair up. I’ve learned I shouldn’t brush my hair when it’s wet. And most importantly, I’m part of an awesome long hair community.

If you dig this post, subscribe for more Longhairs content below. And if you have music needs check me out over here.

 

Are you trying to tackle your first business? Are you in the process of growing out your hair? Are you already a long-haired man-preneur?

Tell me about it and let’s rap in the comments below.

 

Comments

  1. I love long hairs, that’s why I love Virgil van dijk of Liverpool and former long hair didier drogba of chelsea and I have added you to the list. I am a diehard entrepreneur, I love business so much and I’m also an artist. I love long hair and I really want to grow mine, so I am doing two of the most difficult things in life; building a business and growing my hair at the same time. I am from Nigeria.

    1. Henry so awesome man!! You got this, keep coming back for inspiration and motivation. Make sure to sign up to our email list. Holler when you need us brotha

  2. Yo guys!
    Love the website and the tips are super useful. Have you guys considered making an app? That would be sick and it would definitely make the world a better place.
    And by the way ive been growing out my hair for 14 months. My goal is 2 years. Seems easy from this point Peace!

    1. Thanks Jay! Great to see ya here. An app would be awesome, our focus is really just the site right now but maybe in the future we’ll consider an app. Nice on the 14 month mark, it’s all down hill from here.

  3. Great post, Logan.
    I had longhair for five years when a teenager, and now I m letting it ride again (9 months). Also, I really enjoy entrepreneurship (almost opened a restaurant last year). However, its the first time a realize these traits in common on both journeys. Totally true.
    Cheers from Brazil

      1. For u also, Logan. Just checked ur website and its cool stuff 🙂

  4. I’m currently in the process of growing out my hair (and beard!) to a length that I can tie back comfortably. I work in the corporate world, and I feel the pressures of wanting to cut it sometimes. But, I know that serious persistence takes dedication, and the only way I can reach my long hair goal is with patience. Thanks for the inspiring words Logan!

    1. Author

      Hey, Tony. In the corporate world, long hair definitely takes courage. So more power to you!

      Glad you found some inspiration in this post — thanks for commenting!

  5. Hell yeah, folks
    But businesses aren’t easy in my country….but the hell i know is never giving the shit up

  6. I’m currently in the process of growing out my hair, although the style I’m going for is a more medium length. Even so, avoiding the scissors for an uncertain amount of time that could last several months is a bit of a challenge. Growing your hair out and changing your look certainly takes patience and determination. Really, even though some in society consider long hair as a sign of femininity,, it is quite evident that it takes a “real man” with strength of character to have the confidence and resilience to do something difficult and filled with uncertainty whether it be starting a business, pursuing a career, getting in shape, or growing out one’s hair.

    1. Author

      Agreed all around, Michael! It’s funny how something as simple as growing out your hair can teach you to be more committed and determined in other areas of life.

      Thanks for commenting, and best of luck to you, dude.

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