Turning pro

How do you know you've turned pro?

This is an easy question in some sports and professions.

The coach tells you when she thinks you are ready. Your parent or guardian decides. Someone else chose you for the next season.

Otherwise, the decision is entirely yours.

Being pro means consistently delivering on what you said you would do, when you said you would, in ways that solve the most important problems for those you serve.

Doing this every time is what distinguishes the professional from others.

Being professional, sadly, isn't about what you say. Or how you dress. Or your 'branding'.

Turning pro as a founder isn't about the valuation of your company. Or how much you raised in your most recent round. Or the number of listicles you are on.

It's about solving a problem important to those you serve. And building profitable processes doing that every day.

Turning pro as a creative involves showing up, even when you don't feel like it. But when you do, giving your all. That's the expression of you you have promised us.

Being called a professional isn't a permanent badge of honour. It's a verb. You lose it when you stop delivering.