Some Good Entrepreneurial Advice
Stepping away from the security of a corporate job to set up a small business is not an easy task. Some things seem to fall into place, but oftentimes things dont always go as planned. Nobody ever said that it was going to be easy. But it can be one of the most rewarding experiences that you can have. Heres some good entrepreneurial advice to those who have set up their own small businesses.
Its going to take longer than you think.
Running a small business is certainly not for the faint of heart. Everywhere you turn, it seems as if there is another overnight success. Business coaches tout the multi-million dollar businesses they started in their kitchen and claim to spend about 5 hours of work on. In reality, they neglect to mention the years and years of blood, sweat, and tears that it took to achieve a certain level of success. Building a company takes years. It causes grey hairs. And it brings up a whole lot of self-doubt.
Perseverance is the name of the game when it comes to starting and running a small business. Its a rare trait that entrepreneurs possess. I cant tell you how many times I have thought that I’ve run into a brick wall, exhausted all of my options, and run myself into the ground. I’ve shelved my business idea a couple of times only to pick it back up, dust it off, make some adjustments, and then start to run with it. If you truly are an entrepreneur, then everything will eventually fall into place. Its as the old saying goes, every no that you hear brings you that much closer to a yes.
Its lonely going at it all by yourself.
Bringing people on board is a great thing. Their strengths can fill in the gaps of your weaknesses and helps to keep things going when the going gets tough. But it’s critical to bring the right people on board. Getting the mix wrong can have a devastating effect on your small business. A close friend can be a great place to look. But make sure that you both share a common vision, have common goals, have a good working relationship, and are both willing to give it a go. You’re going to be spending more time with this person than you will with your own family, so make sure you select wisely.
From Idea to Growth
Could you keep it simple?
Its easy to reach for the stars as an entrepreneur. Its not hard to get swept up in the rapture of how your business idea will change the world. Your mind seems to go a mile a minute. When you encounter a mere mortal (i.e., everybody else) and try to communicate, the problem is when you encounter a mere mortal. You dont speak the same language. Dont expect the mere mortal to be as excited about the details of your idea as you are. Remember one thing. Please keep it simple so that your audience gets it.
And be sure to hold on to that simplicity. Make sure that it is present in every aspect of your company. Keep your marketing simple. Simple enough so that your customers understand exactly what your business is all about. Make sure that your business planning is simple. How does the business make money? Make sure that your products are simple. Keeping things simple will multiply your business’s chances of success.
Conclusion
Un_Standard has a full range of solutions for businesses of all sizes to improve sales, increase customer satisfaction and get ahead of the competition. If you’d like to find out more, schedule a no-obligation 15-minute chat, click the following link and we’ll gladly show how we can make your business un-standard.About the author
David Garrard
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David Garrard
Agent Provocateur and Chief Creative Officer at Hone Ventures and Un_Standard. We create strategies for businesses of all sizes that improve customer relationships and help businesses grow. In his spare time, he loves experimenting in the kitchen and chasing after his three cats, Hallie Tosis, Lester Een, and Jim G. Vitis.
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