Resources vs Resourcefulness

One of the most frequent conversations I have with leaders goes something like "Kevin, I'd love to start my own venture!

That conversation is typically followed up with a laundry list of obstacles. “However, I don't have the capital... the connections... the degree... the family name."

I believe there’s a myth in the business world that keeps talented potential entrepreneurs trapped on the sidelines. It’s a subtle lie that whispers: "You need resources to succeed."

Let me be clear: Resources are not bad. If you have access to capital, a strong network, or unique connections, these are legitimate advantages and you ought to leverage them and use them wisely. But they're not prerequisites for success. Let me share a little of my story…

When we launched ADDO, we had:

• No office space (coffee shops were our conference rooms)
• No access to significant capital
• No industry connections
• No wealthy relatives waiting in the wings

What we did have was a legitimate solution to a legitimate problem—and the resourcefulness to figure it out step by step.

Today, I’m honored that ADDO impacts hundreds of thousands of leaders, provides purposeful work to an entire team, and leaves a positive mark on the world. Not because we had resources, but because we became resourceful.

Here's what I've observed about resourceful entrepreneurs (but these principles apply to leaders in any business):

1. They focus on solving problems, not collecting assets. While others are seeking funding before starting, they're bootstrapping creative solutions.
2. They build relationships, not just networks. Many of our early clients came from genuine relationships we'd built, not from formal networking events.
3. They embrace constraints as catalysts. Limited resources forced us to be more creative, more efficient, and more focused on what actually mattered.
4. They practice "creative persistence." When the front door was locked, we found side doors, windows, or sometimes built our own entrance.
5. They start with what they have. Resourceful entrepreneurs don't wait for perfect conditions—they maximize whatever they currently possess.

My advice to you today is this:

Stop looking for resources. Start cultivating resourcefulness.

Resources are finite. Resourcefulness is infinite.

Resources can be depleted. Resourcefulness grows stronger with use.

Resources may open initial doors. Resourcefulness keeps you moving when those resources run dry.

The next time you catch yourself thinking, "I could succeed if only I had _______," stop and ask instead: "How can I creatively solve this problem with what I already have?"

In my experience, the entrepreneurs (and leaders) who ultimately succeed aren't the ones with the most resources—they're the ones who become masters of resourcefulness.