Starting a small business is not easy. It takes dedication, passion and above all an entrepreneurial spirit. that entrepreneurial spirit it's often what drives small business owners to build something from the ground up. However, once the business is off the ground, it can be easy to get lost in the day-to-day operations and forget the spark that led to small business ownership in the first place.

It may not seem like running a small business requires the same entrepreneurial effort as starting one, but that would be a wrong assumption. By lighting yours entrepreneurial mindset it's the key to moving your business forward, meeting challenges and establishing success long after its launch.

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Here are three ways you can keep your entrepreneurial spirit alive in your small business.

1. Take a chance on something new

A common trait of successful entrepreneurs is the desire to conquer new challenges and overcome obstacles. Sometimes, keeping the entrepreneurial spirit alive in a small business can be as simple as flexing that muscle and taking on a new challenge in your business. Consider ways you can improve your existing business. One option might be to launch a new product or service.

For some businesses, the challenge of starting one new product or service would not only reignite the spark of entrepreneurship but also drive business growth. Another challenge that some small business owners can lick their chops at is opening a new location. This can be a particularly attractive option for franchise owners, as franchising is a great industry for opening multiple units.

It's also important to remember that taking on a new challenge doesn't necessarily have to be as big an undertaking as a new go-to-market strategy. There are many smaller ventures that can reignite an entrepreneurial drive. For example, you could offer a new discount, start a loyalty program or invest in a community service initiative. By taking on a new challenge, you will renew the passion that led you to business ownership in the first place and continue to drive your business forward.

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2. Prioritize purpose over profit

While successful entrepreneurs may be driven by a desire to succeed financially, they are also often driven by passion. A way to reboot this passion in small business ownership is to direct it to a renewed purpose. By prioritizing your business actions around a goal, you will advance your entrepreneurial spirit and often create business success in the process. In fact, according to one Accenture study63% of global consumers surveyed prefer to buy products and services from companies that share their values ​​and beliefs and avoid companies that do not.

But what does prioritizing purpose mean in a business sense? A purpose-driven company will put its people and mission ahead of its profit objectives. This doesn't mean you should throw your account to the wind, but instead, guide your goal setting with a mission in mind rather than staying in the black. By piloting your business with purpose as a compass, it will be easier to find passion in your daily activities. This often extends to employees as well. According to Deloitte Researchonly one in five employees would stay with a for-profit organization for more than five years.

To keep the entrepreneurial spark alive in your business, find a purpose that matters to you. At The UPS Store, we're passionate about entrepreneurship, so we find ways to support first-time business owners. This can be seen in our latest addition to our site Diversity Ownership Programwhere first-generation business owners can now qualify for a significantly discounted franchise start-up fee.

3. Network with people you admire

For small business owners, networking is an important component of success and a key way to keep the entrepreneurial engine running. Growing a solid network of people who share your background can provide you with opportunities for support and help you build new business strategies for your operation. above all, networking with other entrepreneurs it can reignite your passion for your business. After all, passion can be contagious.

From LinkedIn to local Chamber of Commerce events to industry-specific networking events, do some research to find opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs. Seek to build your network with businessmen and entrepreneurs you admire, as this will help you improve yourself. There are also many out-of-the-box options you can find to build your network. Finding a network of people you admire in business will create a support system to help you face challenges; it will also surround you with other individuals who share your passion for entrepreneurship.