Soul rock legend Tina Turner passed away today – and in addition to teaching us all how to make Nutbush, the singer’s life serves as a testament to purpose, passion and resilience – three traits entrepreneurs have in abundance.

Tina’s story is one of strength and perseverance. Her journey wasn’t always easy – she faced countless obstacles throughout her life, from a challenging upbringing to titanic struggles in the music industry. But what sets Tina apart is her unwavering determination to follow her passion despite the setbacks she encountered.

She teaches us that resilience is not just about bouncing back – it’s about taking on any challenge, no matter how daunting.

Tina faced many hurdles on her way to stardom. Still, she never let it slow her down.

Her turbulent relationship with her husband/manager/music partner Ike was notorious within the music industry.

But it wasn’t until Tina found the courage to leave Ike after years of abuse that the absolute depths of her challenges were revealed to the world. Tina left the abusive relationship behind, reinvented herself and built her career from scratch.

Purpose, passion and resilience

So what does this have to do with small businesses and entrepreneurship?

Courage and resilience are essential qualities for any entrepreneur. The ability to take risks, embrace uncertainty and overcome adversity are all part of the game. To succeed, founders must remain committed to their goals and never falter in the face of hurdles. Likewise, remain flexible and open to change is crucial in the ever-evolving landscape of business.

As for Tina’s courage… courage is the fuel that drives us to take risks and pursue our visions. As an entrepreneur, you are constantly treading uncharted territory, making it essential to embrace uncertainty and face your fears. Tina shows us that feeling fear is okay, but having the courage to move forward is even more important.

But it’s not just perseverance and perseverance that will get you through the tough times. Building a solid support system is also crucial for personal and professional growth. Tina quickly discovered that it was essential to her success to surround herself with mentors, friends and other people who encouraged her and believed in her vision.

When Tina Turner was dumped by her record label after her divorce from Ike, pop star David Bowie came to her rescue. Bowie had just signed a new deal with EMI, but turned down the usual celebratory dinner, saying he would see Tina Turner perform instead. The head of the label went to see the show with him, and Tina credits this fateful event as the reason she landed a new recording contract with EMI Capitol.

Getting out of the status quo

The signing would prove fruitful for both the singer and the label, with Tina releasing a number of Grammy-winning singles and albums over the years. With a career spanning over 60 years, what was remarkable about Tina was also her ability to capture the sound of time.

Tina’s ability to embrace change and adapt to new times is something we should all strive for. During her career, she has been able to reinvent herself many times, moving seamlessly between eras and musical genres. As entrepreneurs, we also need to have the courage and flexibility to adapt our strategies and processes to today’s rapidly changing markets.

Breaking free from the status quo and trying something new can be intimidating; however, being flexible and open-minded is key to staying ahead in business. If you want to succeed as an entrepreneur, you must be willing to take risks and accept change willingly.

Tina’s story reminds us that success is not handed to us on a silver platter; it is earned through determination and unwavering belief in ourselves.

As entrepreneurs, we can draw inspiration from Tina’s unwavering spirit, her ability to overcome personal and professional challenges, and her remarkable resilience.

If there’s one message from Tina Turner’s life story, it’s that setbacks are not roadblocks; they are opportunities for growth, if only you have the courage to change something.