AlexShalman.comPractical Personal Development

This is a guest post by Monica Rozenfeld.

Entrepreneur’s are a rare breed, often misunderstood and coined crazy for their spontaneous ideas, non-stop schedule and lack of rest. It takes a special person to go against the fold, and create their own job, career and life path. Some people try their whole life, and fail. But others, with some creativity and a little bit of luck, make it happen. I have that someone in my family to serve as a role model on how to be an entrepreneur, follow through and gain the success and life one dreams. That person is my uncle, Peter Glazman, founder of USPack Courier Service.

Now that I am at an age where I am deciding between taking the 9-5 job or carving out my own path, I have reflected on what it is that made my uncle the success he is today. If you are like me, debating between starting your own company or taking the unconventional route, here are some things I have learned from the man himself.

No Excuses

My uncle emigrated from the Ukraine in ‘79 determined to “make it.” He started as a driver, delivering packages here and there. But when he saw how the courier company he worked for was treating their clients, he thought he could build something better. And so he did. Despite the language barrier, my uncle approached one of the top banks in the country to open a same-day delivery account with his new business, relying solely on his honesty and personality. He managed to land that account over other big-name delivery companies and never looked back.

See Something, Do Something

A real entrepreneur is someone who believes in the spirit of capitalism, and competition. When we have an idea, as my uncle did to start a courier company with unprecedented customer service, we have an obligation as an entrepreneur to follow through. This country was built on companies going above and beyond the next in order for us today to have great service, and great product. The idea that something has already been done is false. There is always a way to do something bigger, better and smarter. Seizing the opportunity to go above and beyond the company and customer service of his original employer is what made my uncle the success he is today, giving him the edge over the other drivers who were once in his seat.

Never forget who you work for

We’ve seen it time and time again, the bigger the entrepreneur or the company, the less the client matters. No matter how much success was gained in my uncle’s company over the 25+ years it has been around, my uncle has never forgotten a single client, even if it was one person delivering one letter one time only. He responds to every email he receives, every phone call he gets, and never forgets to thank his clients with notes and small gifts. That personal touch is what separates USPack Courier Service from the “big” guys.

Give back

Even in the worst of times, especially in our current recession, my uncle is always on the lookout for opportunity to give back and help others in need. Today, USPack is delivering artifacts to the World Trade Center site, and always seeking opportunities to deliver for food drives and charities in need. My uncle does not make his company solely a source of income, but a resource in helping and making a difference where he can.

Always grow and seek new opportunity

Twenty-five years is a long time for many things (that’s my whole life), and maintaining and growing a small business is definitely one of them. But, he has managed to do it. With new technologies, needs, clientele, my uncle never stays stagnant in old ways of thinking, but is always looking outside of himself to what the market needs. Today, they company is ahead of the curve with new tracking technologies so that no important package gets lost. Plus, they are on the verge of growing a green fleet of vehicles for eco-conscious deliveries. An entrepreneur knows that the world is always changing and that they always need to stay one step ahead of the game, not behind.

Follow your spirit

Lastly, the biggest lesson of all I’ve learned from watching my uncle is to follow your spirit. My mom always told me these stories of how my uncle would go around as a kid in Ukraine and find ways to make money. Whether it’s recycling (yes, he was ahead of the times), paper routes, or selling his only pair of boots so he can make a few rubles, he never missed an opportunity to make money if he could. And then when he did, he would come back and buy something for the family.

I’ve heard a saying once that money doesn’t change you, but makes you more of who you already are. That is definitely true in my uncle’s case, as with more success, he has found more opportunity to give back and provide an amazing home for his family. He is an inspiration to me as I move forward in whatever it is I decide to pursue to not make excuses for myself, to follow through with my ideas, to give back and never forget those who have given me the opportunity to make my dreams happen and, of course, to follow my spirit.

I believe if one is a true entrepreneur, they will change the world by carving out their visions into reality, even if it’s just making a small mark on the world. My uncle has done so, and I encourage others who have the personality for it to go for it too.

If you’re interested in learning more about Monica’s uncle’s company, visit www.GoUSPack.com or follow the company on twitter @USPack. For more on Monica, visit www.SweetHeartJournalist.com