Filip Keuppens : Must-Have Skills for Entrepreneurs in 2024
Filip Keuppens is the Executive Vice President and Partner at the Pickle Juice Company
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what got you into entrepreneurship?
After spending most of my career with large, Fortune 500 companies, I wanted to explore the ability to change how products are developed and brought to market, The Pickle Juice Company allowed me to pursue those ideas.
What are the top three skills you think are crucial for entrepreneurs today?
Figure out how to solve a problem and monetize that solution, be willing to take risks and make sacrifices, be unwaveringly focused on perfecting the solution you are bringing to market.
How do you think the role of technology has impacted these skills in recent years?
Technology has been invaluable in giving entrepreneurs instant access to information, research and processes and it has also presented countless opportunities for entrepreneurship within it's own framework.
Could you share a story with us about how you used some of these skills to overcome a challenge in your journey?
The ability for our organization to scale and grow at the rate that it has is largely dependent on the ability of our team to wear multiple hats, figure out various tasks on the fly and develop creative ways to build awareness with limited budgetary resources. Our entire model would not be possible without a significant commitment to technological resources.
In your opinion, how important is it for entrepreneurs to adapt to changing trends and what do you see as the biggest trend in 2024?
It's critical. One of the biggest competitive advantages entrepreneurs have over competition is agility and flexibility. This ability to react to the market quicker must be exploited to have success. In CPG, consumer individualization and customization is becoming increasingly important. We can no longer speak to a general demographic, we have to speak to the individual and expect our consumers to speak on our behalf rather than us projecting our narrative to them.
What's one common mistake you often see new entrepreneurs make, and how can they avoid it?
They have a top down approach to the market. Listen to what the consumer wants and figure out how to cater to those needs instead of trying to convince people that they need what you are selling in a way that you are selling it.
How do you keep learning and growing as an entrepreneur?
Research, research, research. Never stop learning and don't get bogged down in the day to day. Remember what got you here and don't stop doing those things.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone just starting their entrepreneurial journey in 2024?
Don't get stuck thinking and start moving. Expect to have setbacks but view them as lessons rather than failures and don't give up. Most entrepreneurs are not on their first iteration or venture.
