In this digital age, building a following as an entrepreneur is the key to success. Having an owned audience allows for many opportunities. I spoke to Ruben Owen, a 19-year-old social media personality to learn what sort of approach he took to build such a huge following. Also, right now the COVID-19 pandemic has had people stuck inside their homes for the past few weeks now. I asked Ruben how he has dealt with this.

How has your industry been impacted by COVID-19?

My industry has been impacted by COVID-19 in a good way. Everyone has their heads currently turned to social media. It is having a big impact on business and content in a good way right now. Content is being viewed much more, and people are buying much more. It is impacting entrepreneurs like myself in a good way. I can also use this opportunity to help people out by creating the usual entertaining content I do, so people aren’t too bored at home and try to put a smile on their face.

How do you overcome obstacles?

Obstacles are usually only temporary. Perseverance is key when overcoming an obstacle. Don’t let it distract you or stop you from what you are trying to achieve. There is always light at the end of the tunnel! Obstacles can sometimes be hard to figure out but remember there is always a way to do it. Remain positive when trying to overcome it and don’t overwork yourself. Sometimes it may take time so just be patient too.

What keeps you motivated?

My previous success definitely keeps me motivated and fuels me to go for more. The desire to succeed is one thing, but results become an addiction. Once you have accomplished your first success, you realize why it is so good. It’s something you will never forget, and will always be happy about.

Is it important to strive for work-life balance?

For sure it is. You don’t want to start struggling when you’re putting your all in. You should make sure you have time for yourself and not have it all dedicated to working. This will make sure you avoid burning out. Give yourself time to stay active and healthy too.

How do you measure success?

The best way to measure your success is to set challenges for a set period of time and see if you were able to overcome them or not. Did you meet the expectations when hitting your own targets? These in my opinion are the best ways to measure success. Be sure to take notes of all the targets you hit and the goals you exceeded, and look back at how you did that.

What advice do you have for hopeful entrepreneurs?

My advice for anyone wanting to begin is to do it now. Don’t wait to start, just get your head down, start educating yourself on entrepreneurship and start building those figures. Make sure that you believe in yourself and have a goal or vision set. Make sure to always set new targets and challenges for yourself as this is what will help you along the ride. Do not let mistakes bring you down but instead learn from them. Don’t try to do too much at once, make sure your energy is tunneled towards a target. Doing too much at once will only slow you down and make it harder to get those results. Lastly, try to over-deliver. This is a great way to bring value to your table and get noticed for doing so.

What advice do you have for those facing hard times due to the COVID-19 crisis?

Please remember that this isn’t going to last forever. Everyone is facing this hard challenge with you and we will overcome it together. Make sure to talk to others around you and keep your head up high.