Rethinking the Mindset of a Business Owner

A business owner mindset isn’t exclusive to those chasing tech-startup dreams. Being an entrepreneur can happen in any industry. Discussing his journey to becoming a business owner was EJ Williams, who joined David and Matthew Shields on Like It’s Your Job.

Williams, an electrical engineer, has an interesting story. He’s worked for Tesla and a Mark Cuban startup. However, he didn’t find satisfaction in those roles, because he wanted to be a business owner. His initial ideal of entrepreneurship was tech and Silicon Valley. “That start-up is a long shot with a low likelihood of success. The middle ground is being a small business owner offering something somebody needs.”

For the past three years, he’s been learning the business of a Jiffy Lube franchise at Indiana Car Care. It wasn’t necessarily where he thought he’d find what was missing, but he expressed that life is about opportunity, and this was one to take.

The conversation included William’s favorite quote from Matthew McConaughey, “Persist, pivot, or concede—it’s up to you,” Williams said, “You have to keep asking yourself this with high-level decisions and small tasks.”

Those three options are a good framework for his life as a small business owner. He didn’t always know it was OK to want more. “If you’re the business owner type, it’s OK that you want to look at everything and not be satisfied in one role.”

Williams credits where he is now to his own perseverance but also his mentors. “I learned a lot listening to them and taking their advice. Now, I try to find mentees, because sharing knowledge is the best way to learn.”

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Culture
People-Centric HR in Practice: How Jen Schomer Turns Organizational Chaos into a Culture of Trust and Performance
December 2, 2025

In today’s whiplash workplace—where startups scale fast, funding dries up faster, and employee expectations keep evolving—HR isn’t a back-office function anymore. The rise of fractional leadership, remote teams, and constant regulatory change has forced companies to rethink how they support people while still hitting business goals. Leaders are realizing that “culture issues” often trace…

Read More
University of Michigan Center for Innovation
What the University of Michigan Center for Innovation Means for Detroit: Education, Jobs, and a Community-Driven Vision for the Future
December 1, 2025

Detroit is in the middle of a historic transformation—powered increasingly by technology, workforce innovation, and community-driven economic mobility. As industries shift and new tech corridors rise, cities like Detroit are asking a critical question: How do we ensure the future of innovation belongs to everyone who lives here? The upcoming launch of the University of…

Read More
Impact Consulting
The End-to-End Model: Impact Consulting’s Strategic Approach to Work-Based Learning
December 1, 2025

As colleges and universities grapple with enrollment pressures, shifting student expectations, and a tightening labor market shaped by AI and automation, the demand for meaningful work-based learning experiences has grown dramatically. Research across the UK’s higher education sector shows that hands-on industry engagement is becoming a leading factor in student decision-making and employability outcomes. Institutions…

Read More
Kim Lopez-Walters
Inside the Mind of an Innovator: How Marketing Leader Kim Lopez-Walters Blends Curiosity, Strategy, and Consumer Insight to Build Products People Love
November 26, 2025

In a business landscape where AI and automation are reshaping how brands understand consumers, the craft of human-centered innovation is becoming both rarer and more valuable. Companies are seeking leaders who blend strong analytical thinking with an interest in real human behavior, helping them make sense of new trends and create products that connect with…

Read More