Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
I started my journalism career in 2004. Within months, it was clear: the industry was changing — fast. Newsroom layoffs, budget cuts, and staff downsizing became routine. Whispers of “impending cuts” turned into annual realities. Every year brought fewer resources, fewer colleagues, and more pressure to do more with less.
Eventually, the tone of the industry changed completely. We went from reporting the news to defending its very existence. I remember being handed scripts to read on-air, asking viewers to “support local journalism.” Imagine reporting on the world while quietly campaigning to save your own job. It was humbling — and revealing.
That’s when I realized I needed a Plan B.
About eight years into my 15-year career as a reporter and anchor for Canada’s largest private broadcaster, I started building a real estate-focused marketing agency. Quietly. In the newsroom, side hustles were frowned upon. Some managers even banned them. It was a strange contradiction: everyone knew the industry was shrinking, but no one was allowed to prepare for what came next.
So I did it anyway.
Over time, that agency grew quietly in the background. And one day, it was big enough that I didn’t need the newsroom anymore. I stepped away — and stepped fully into entrepreneurship.
What I didn’t expect was just how many of my journalism skills would become foundational to building and running a successful business.
Here’s what translated — and why it matters to anyone navigating uncertainty in their career today.
Related: The 3 Biggest Mistakes That Made Me a Better Entrepreneur
Deadlines build more than discipline — they build trust
In journalism, deadlines weren’t flexible. If your segment wasn’t ready by airtime, it didn’t go to air — simple as that. There was no “I’m running a bit behind.” That kind of real-time pressure trains you to deliver no matter what. And more importantly, it teaches you that other people are counting on you to deliver.
In business, that same mindset is a competitive advantage. When you consistently meet deadlines—for clients, collaborators, or even yourself — you build a reputation as someone who can be trusted. In a world full of flakiness, that trust is rare and valuable.
Clarity is the most underrated communication skill
As a journalist, my job was to take something complicated — legislation, economics, crime stats — and make it clear, fast. I learned how to break down ideas so that a viewer with no background knowledge could still understand the story.
That skill carried straight into business. Clients aren’t looking for more information — they want clarity. They want someone who can explain things in plain language, with confidence and precision. If you can do that, you’ll win attention and loyalty, even in crowded markets.
Reading the room is a business skill, not just a social one
Every newsroom has an unspoken energy. Some days are tense. Others are collaborative. You learn to read body language, anticipate reactions, and adjust your tone accordingly. Sometimes you learn the hard way — by saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. But eventually, you get good at it.
That emotional intelligence became essential in business. Whether I’m in a sales call, a client pitch or a team check-in, I rely on that same ability to gauge the room. Knowing when to speak, when to pause, and when to pivot isn’t just nice to have — it’s how you build rapport, close deals and lead people.
Your visual presence sends a signal — whether you like it or not
In television, how you show up is part of the job. Lighting, clothing, posture, eye contact — everything matters. You’re trained to think visually because you’re being seen, not just heard.
As a business owner, I carried that forward. Whether I’m on a Zoom call, recording video content, or meeting a client in person, I think about how I show up. Not because I care about superficial polish, but because I understand that presence builds credibility. People make snap judgments. Being intentional about your appearance — your energy, tone, body langu