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About the Author
As president of BLASTmedia, Lindsey Groepper is responsible for new business development and helping oversee the strategic direction of the agency. The agency focuses on digital advertising, social media and public relations.
7 Navy SEAL Sayings That Will Keep Your Team Motivated
By Brent Gleeson
Asleep at your desk? Read this and get going.
Whether you are an entrepreneur, working in corporate America, or building a start-up, it is imperative to continually seek new ways to stay inspired and driven. Being a self-starter is a fantastic quality, but we are all human and get distracted by the minutiae of our day-to-day responsibilities.
Here are seven Navy SEAL sayings I keep top of mind while moving toward achieving my personal and professional goals.
1. The only easy day was yesterday.
This is one of the more well-known sayings of the SEALs. When constantly pushing yourself to excel, there will be challenges that make every day a battle.
As an entrepreneur, this concept keeps me motivated, because it puts things into perspective. If you wake up knowing that every day will pose new challenges and that you are ready to face them head-on, you will be well equipped to achieve any goal you set.
2. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
One exercise in SEAL training is “surf torture.” You link arms with your classmates and stand, sit, or lie in the frigid Pacific Ocean until your body reaches the early stages of hypothermia. During the initial phases of training, you do this daily. Then you cover yourself from head to toe in sand and stay that way for the rest of the day. You might follow this with running the obstacle course, weapons training, or classroom time, but you are expected to push the discomfort aside and stay focused on the task at hand.
There have been many times as a business owner that I have been in very uncomfortable situations. That could be a difficult conversation with a team member, a lawsuit, or dealing with a demanding board member. Discomfort comes in many forms. But the more you embrace that as a reality, the wider your comfort zone becomes. This boosts confidence and provides the tools for facing even larger challenges down the road. So as we like to say, “Embrace the suck.”
3. Don’t run to your death.
In the SEAL teams, this is not a metaphor. When conducting raids that put you in close-quarters combat scenarios, restraint is often the best approach. Once you breach and gain entry to the target, being slow and methodical often wins the race. Hence the phrase, “Don’t run to your death.”
Knowing when not to act is as important as knowing when to push forward. Restraint is crucial for business leadership. This is especially important if you are running or managing a rapidly growing business. Growth is fantastic, but smart growth is even better. Have a good plan, slow down, grow intelligently, and never, ever, run to your death.
4. Have a shared sense of purpose.
A shared sense of purpose is hard to continually communicate. The economy changes. New technologies emerge. Employees come and go. There are many moving parts, which is why it’s critical for the leadership to always be communicating the reality of the situation and what the “win” will look like when you get there. And, most important, what everyone’s role is in helping the team achieve that goal.
5. Move, shoot, communicate.
As a SEAL, you must be able to perfectly execute these three functions to ensure mission success. Move: You have to be able to work as one well-maintained mechanism with the ability to have constant fluid motion. Shoot: That’s self-explanatory. Communicate: All good teams have frequent, open, transparent communication. When the bullets start flying, everyone needs to know what the next move is.
The same philosophies apply in the fast-paced world of business and entrepreneurship. The team has to have the ability to communicate effectively to adapt to changing environments. Which takes us to the next saying.
6. No plan survives first contact with the enemy.
This is from Helmuth von Moltke, a German field marshal from World War I. Similar is this sentiment from Mike Tyson: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” That is why preparation and training are even more critical than planning.
When you have a team of the right people doing the right things, they will know how to adapt when the you-know-what hits the fan. And they will adapt with composure, not panic. This is why ongoing training and professional development are so important.
7. All in, all the time.
I wanted to close with another one of the more well-known SEAL sayings. Just being a good performer won’t cut it to make it into the SEAL teams. You have to give everything you have just to make it to the next day. Just like managing stress, you have to focus on one piece at a time. So don’t worry about the test you have in the afternoon. Your goal is to make it to breakfast. Then lunch, and so on.
Whether you are building a startup, leading a team in a large organization, being an active parent, battling cancer, or training for a triathlon, it’s got to be all or nothing. Mediocrity and moderation won’t get the job done. Give everything you do everything you’ve got.
My heart welled with pride when I heard my 8-year-old son’s flag football coach give the team one last piece of advice in the last couple minutes of its championship Super Bowl game. He said, “Now is the time to dig deep. Leave everything you’ve got on that field. If you do that, win or lose, you will be the champions!” So whether you are 8 or 58, get comfortable being uncomfortable, get well prepared, and be all in, all the time.
About the Author
I am a passionate speaker, entrepreneur, Navy SEAL combat veteran, and the Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Internet Marketing Inc. (IMI), one of the fastest growing digital marketing agencies in the country. IMI specializes in analytics and data-driven integrated online marketing strategies for medium and enterprise-level clients. IMI was recently named #185 on the prestigious Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing private companies in the country. I earned a degree in finance from Southern Methodist University, studied English and History at Oxford University, and have a Master’s Degree in real estate finance and development from the University of San Diego. I'm also a public speaker and TV personality, recently appearing on NBC’s reality series ‘Stars Earn Stripes’.
A Startup's Guide to Professional Networking
By Jayson Demers
Startup companies are stressful, yet exciting places to work, and whether you’re the star entrepreneur, a partner or a sales professional trying to generate an initial stream of revenue, professional networking can play a key role in achieving your first-phase goals. The bigger your network, the more access you’ll have to funding, customers, partners, and perhaps most importantly -- advice.
Almost everybody in the business world uses social media to some extent, and it makes for a great opportunity to connect with new people. However, there are a few principles to keep in mind while networking on social platforms.
1. Know your platforms.
The rules of etiquette and the types of people you’ll find will vary from platform to platform, so it’s important to keep your messaging and approach appropriate while you find new connections. For example, reaching out to strangers on Twitter is more socially acceptable than it is on Facebook, since most people try to restrict their Facebook visibility to close friends and family.
On LinkedIn, almost every member is a professional seeking professional connections. For most startups, LinkedIn is the best place to meet new contacts and exchange information.
2. Conversations are gateway opportunities.
Look for active conversations on social media, and start some of your own. These are perfect opportunities to uncover new connections. For example, if there’s a running public conversation on Twitter about touchpad technology and your startup is releasing a new iteration of software relevant to the conversation, jump in! Introduce yourself briefly, but
more importantly, make a real contribution to the conversation and follow it as it develops.
After the conversation ends, reach out to anybody you engaged with directly and ask for more information about who they are and what they do. You may also find conversation participants reaching out to you because of your expertise. LinkedIn Groups are an ideal place to look for these conversations.
3. Keep in touch regularly -- but not often.
Once you’ve found a connection and introduced yourself online, follow up with that person so you stay on top of their mind. This is especially important for a connection who is considering investment, or a connection who has a future -- but not present -- need for you. Your follow-up messages can be short and to the point, though flattery and personal consideration sometimes help, but don’t follow up too often or you’ll end up annoying your new connection.
4. Reach beyond the screen.
Don’t let your connections stay confined to the digital world. Once you’ve interacted a handful of times, take the next step with a phone call or, even better, an in-person meeting. Nothing can replace the personal feel of direct interaction.
Whether you’re meeting your social-media contacts or engaging in regular networking events, it’s also important to establish your in-person networking techniques.
1. Have your elevator pitch familiar -- but not memorized.
Your elevator pitch is the first chance you’ll have to make an impression on someone unfamiliar with your startup, so practice it often to make sure you have it down. However, I advise you not to memorize it word for word. If you do, your pitch will sound over-rehearsed and regurgitated in a real-world application. Instead, go over the highlights, focusing on a few key phrases so you can come off sounding natural.
2. Be open to any opportunity.
Even if someone doesn’t seem like a good fit for your needs at the moment, they could still present a great opportunity later on. Be open to meeting almost anybody, and try to make a great impression every time. Collect contact information whenever you can get it, and listen to people when they talk about their business. You never know when an interesting partnership opportunity could arise.
3. Be yourself.
Don’t try to ham up your personality or put on a fake sales persona. People will notice. Instead, be yourself. Show your true personality, and show your enthusiasm for your startup. Personality definitely counts in the networking world, and yours needs to be sincere.
4. Go out and introduce yourself.
If you want to meet people, you have to go where people meet. Sign up for networking events around your city, and try to sniff out group activities where professionals or potential investors might be lurking. Go out of your way for opportunities, and never be shy about introducing yourself.
Networking is both an art and a science, so no matter how much you try to learn about it on paper, the best way to improve yourself is to get out there and do it. Take note of which strategies work, which ones don’t, and any changes you can make to expand your network and improve your reputation in the field.
About the Author
Jayson DeMers is founder and CEO of AudienceBloom, a Seattle-based SEO agency. He also started Crackerize.com, a lyrics-humor website. He's the author of the ebook, “The Definitive Guide to Marketing Your Business Online.”
Partnership Feature: Sorority of Survivors
A candid interview with Odessa Hopkins, the Founder of SOS…
Was there a specific moment or situation that inspired you to found SOS?
I come from a long line of strong women who survived everything imaginable, and yet, they never considered themselves a victim of anything. They considered it one of life’s blows and, as with any fight, you take the blow and come back swinging until you’re knocked out – permanently. That’s what inspired me to found SOS. I know what it’s like to want to give up. I know what it’s like to want to give in. I know what it’s like to fail – big time and multiple times; but, I also know what it’s like to turn all of that into success. That’s what I bring to The Sisters of SOS. My experiences do me absolutely no good if I can’t share it with other women, and help them become successful – whether in their careers, in their business or in life.
I’m sure every woman you encounter has a special story of their own. Is there a story that has rung true to you personally or one that has reminded you as to why you started SOS in the first place?
The story that has most impacted me was a conversation I had with a friend and mentee. Her daughter heard me speak at an event, and went home and told her mom she must meet me. She said her daughter kept telling her this, but she couldn’t figure out why. One day she called me and asked if I had time to speak with her and I told her I was busy, but could spend a few minutes with her. We ended up talking for well over an hour, maybe two. A few days later, she came by my facility to meet with me. She told me about her journey from being a prostitute, and raising her daughter in the streets, to turning her life over to God and becoming the owner of a successful landscaping company. She feared I would judge her, and told me it was like talking to Oprah. We laughed and I assured her that with my past, I was in no position to judge anyone, just to teach, and learn from, them. It’s women like Jacqueline who remind me of the gift I’m blessed with. The gift of trust. Women trust me, and I value that trust.
Has SOS experienced any setbacks that have made you feel like running the site was more of a hassle than it was worth? What were they?
No. Not yet anyway (laughing). If you feel like running, less than a year into your business, you’re probably in the wrong business. I’ve never really felt like running in any business I’ve started. I have, however, felt overwhelmed and under-appreciated, but not at SOS.
The goals of SOS are clear, but what is it you want women to feel or do after coming across/joining the site. Should they be able to define their goals more clearly, or is it simply designed to provide women with feelings of empowerment?
Well, keep in mind that SOS is not an online site, we are a full fledge organization. We do most of our communicating online because, in only six months, our members are already global – including in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Australia -- but we have both offline and online events, especially in the spring, summer and fall.
In joining SOS, feeling empowered is certainly a goal, but it’s so much more than that. One of the things women get, pretty quickly, is that I hold them accountable. They’re a little surprised, at first, because it’s something other organizations don’t take time to do. Yet, it’s one of the reasons so many don’t succeed. When you have a job, your employer holds you accountable. When you’re in business, your clients hold you accountable. But in between your job, and having clients, there’s a space where you’re just trying to make something happen and often things get started, but not completed. You get overwhelmed, and you don’t do everything with excellence. You stop promoting your business consistently or you stop investing in educating yourself. Whatever those things are, our goal is to provide reminders and hold you accountable for getting things done, and in helping you move to that next level of success – whatever that is for you.
What is one of your favorite parts of SOS?
Definitely the relationships I’m building with women from all walks of life. It’s like traveling the globe without leaving home. We contribute and teach a lot, but I’m learning so much more – especially about the different cultures and lifestyles. I’m getting everything from geography lessons to lessons in foreign economy; and history lessons to education on religion and foreign policy. I also get to hear their stories and, hopefully, make enough of a contribution in their lives to become part of their story. So the relationships, by far, is my favorite part.
What kind of self-empowerment tools does SOS offer women with their membership?
One of the self-empowerment tools all members, including our All Aboard members, who pay only $1
5 a year, receive is our quarterly Live Broadcasting series. We recently conducted a broadcast series called, Wake Up Your Life with The Sisters of SOS. For 12 days we featured a different speaker, and topic, all conducted by our members – who are speakers, coaches authors and entrepreneurs. Those broadcasts are now available, free, in the Members Only portal of our website. That portal is another empowerment tool – a Video Vault of content from experts in categories of health, wealth, parenting and business. There are also weekly empowerment, and leadership, calls available to all members. That’s in addition to a very interactive FaceBook group, where we have a daily agenda and theme. Of course, with the level of membership comes more tools and resources, but those are for women business owners, speakers and authors who require more promoting and assistance with building or expanding their craft. So the empowerment tools are there, and members can be as active, or as inactive, as they choose to be. As with most things, the value is based on the time and resources you are willing to invest.
Where can women read about your own personal story of struggles? Is it something you publicize for other women to relate with?
I’ve shared my story in a few broadcasts, but I’m currently in the process of writing my autobiography. I don’t want it to be another story. I want it to be a guide to getting to the next level by building your own ladder, so it’s taking more time than expected. I once told someone that there is a time to tell your story, and that only you know when that is. This is my time, so I’m looking forward to completing my second book and putting it on our website.
I’m sure many of your subscribers learn a lot from you and your story. Do you go out of your way to listen to the personal stories of others?
Absolutely! You can’t really get to know a person without knowing their story. The best way to assist my members is to know their journey. It’s especially important for my Elite and Platinum Members because we can’t effectively promote them, and their business, without knowing who they are. That’s like an agent trying to promote a musician, without knowing what kind of music they play. It doesn’t work.
Along with the weekly conference calls and online broadcasts, does SOS host many live events for speakers to share their stories?
SOS does not host events, online or offline, for women to share their stories of victimization – because our focus is on the next level. We do host events on how they started a business, how they became a speaker or coach, how they landed a six-figure income, how they got their sexy back, how they landed a contract, how they are successfully raising five kids, as a single mom – stories of next level living. People hear the word “Survivor” in our name and assume we focus on being abused, ill, victimized, etc. But, for SOS, a “Survivor” is simply a woman who, in spite of adversity, chose NOT to be a victim. So we don’t talk about victimization. I tell women that you ceased being a victim when you survived the situation – no matter how difficult it was. If you’re here to talk about it, you’re a Survivor, so let’s focus on the next level. There are enough organizations out there to hold their hand. We are not that organization, but we do support those organizations because there is value for those who are not yet ready for SOS.
Tell us a little bit about the sisters of SOS. Does each member offer a different kind of service?
We have a blog called Everyday Women, and that describes The Sisters of SOS. They are you and me. They are exceptionally supportive, talented and intelligent career women, entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, moms, mompreneurs, senior citizens, women in transition and just everyday women. They are of various race, religion, nationalities and income brackets. They have G.E.D.’s, Bachelors, Masters and PhD’s. The one thing they all have in common is the desire for more. What that more is varies from member to member – just as it does with everyone else.
What is one piece of advice you would offer a woman who hasn’t had a chance to join SOS yet?
I would encourage women to join SOS to experience the difference. When I say “experience the difference” it’s because I’ve been affiliated with women’s groups, Chambers of Commerce and other organizations for many years, and I took what I learned from them and created a company that has the best of those organizations. It’s not the only organization they should join, let’s be clear. I believe women should explore and join a couple of organizations, in order to meet, network and learn from, different people. But SOS, without a doubt, should be one of them. There is no contract or commitment because we want women in SOS who bring, and give, value and who want to be there.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I just want to thank Successful Startup 101 for providing the opportunity for me to share SOS with your readers. I also want to congratulate you on filling a void in an industry that caters to businesses who are up and running, but who often forget about those aspiring entrepreneurs, and those just in the mist of bringing their dreams to life. Your magazine is their roadmap, and The Sisters of SOS will be taking advantage of, and sharing, the information you provide.
I want to leave your readers with this. I set out to lead a happy, productive, fulfilled, blessed and priceless life. And, I’m living that right now! But, if I could assist women in accomplishing what their life’s mission is, through their involvement in SOS, that would be the icing on a beautiful cake for the both of us.
Website: www.sororityofsurvivors.org
email: [email protected]
phone: 1-877-433-3810
Facing The Inferno: Through The Eyes Of A Successful Entrepreneur
An Interview with Eric T. Wagner
Following your dreams as an entrepreneur can be a tough road to travel. Some days can feel difficult while others can seem downright impossible. For Eric T. Wagner, this journey was no different than anyone else's. With over 30 years of experience with numerous startups, writing experience and the recent release of his book, "Walk Through Fire: Rise Up, Face the Inferno, and Build Your Dream Business," Eric has had as many successes, failures and hardships as the next entrepreneur.
His hard work, diligence and perseverance has paid off. During a short Q&A with Eric, some of the secrets, keys to success, and solutions you have been looking for have finally been discovered.
1. Is there one significant experience, failure or success you can attribute to inspiring your book, "Walk Through Fire"?
Short answer? All of them.
But deep down inside we each crave to create something. A better business. An ideal life for ourselves. A project where everyone around exclaims ‘wow, you did an amazing job creating that.’
For me, I’ve always wanted to write a book to empower and inspire other entrepreneurs. So after many fits and starts over 3 years, I finally sat down and got it down over a 6 month period. Call it the drive to create something bigger than myself.
2. What kinds of tools and lessons can an aspiring entrepreneur take from this book?
One big one - you cannot build a wildly successful business over night. It’s in the small, connected steps. The bits of wisdom, inspiration, and encouragement you pick up along your journey of entrepreneurship that help you make better decisions as you go. Essentially, Walk Through Fire has more than 365 valuable lessons you can apply to your business. 365 of the thousands you’ll need to reach the top.
3. As an entrepreneur of over 30 years, you have had your share of ups and downs. Was there a specific failure that made you want to quit? How did you get through it?
Great question. I’ve wanted to quit so many times on different things it’s hard to count. And actually, I have thrown in the towel a great number of times.
However, I believe quitting on your dream is different from quitting on a particular strategy, business idea, or direction. My friend started 9 companies and quit on every single one of them. But did he give up on his dream of business ownership? No. And now he enjoys the fruits of his labor with his tenth company bec
ause he was tenacious enough to never give up on his bigger dream.
4. Your family is probably a big part of your motivation to succeed. What kind of support system do they offer you?
You just hit on a major component for successful entrepreneurship - your support network. So yes - for me, my family plays a big role in this. They love me and support my pursuits. However, in 30 years of doing this, I’ve also experienced times of complete loneliness and feeling like an outcast. The whole, ‘that will never work as a business and you’re crazy Eric for trying’ string of verbiage.
So what to do? Smart entrepreneurs surround themselves with peer group entrepreneurs, join mastermind groups, and build strong advisory networks. With or without the support of family, this is a must for entrepreneurs because quite frankly, we’re not like other people.
5. Describe your daily schedule and routine. Is there anything you set out to do everyday that helps fuel your motivation to work hard?
First - motivation. Face it, some days we don’t feel like lifting a finger on our businesses. Which is why I’m a believer that motivation must come from having a bigger purpose. A north star, if you will. For example, my purpose is to ‘empower entrepreneurs to build great companies’. It’s bigger than me and flatout fires me up to pursue it. Call it passion for my purpose.
So once an entrepreneur has their ‘giant why’ (bigger purpose), then it becomes about knowing the 3 key activities to work on every day to make it happen. Not 100. Not 20. Three. For me, these 3 priorities drive my daily schedule:
1. Connect and engage entrepreneurs (the more I know about my target customer, the more I know how to help.)
2. Write (at my core, I write to empower. Books, articles on Forbes and Entrepreneur, scripts for video, and email to name a few.)
3. Recruit strategic partners (in order to empower even greater numbers of entrepreneurs, I connect with and nurture high-level relationships with those who reach the same audience.)
6. Are there any habits or traits that you would recommend an entrepreneur to avoid?
Yes - 3 come to mind:
1. Perfectionism. Yes - we want things we build to look and sound great, and they should. However, I see many entrepreneurs miss out on the value of ‘market feedback’ by spending too much time and money to make things perfect. Instead of perfectionism, think - ‘finished beats perfect.’
2. Over analysis. Of course, it pays to do our due diligence. To consider all the facts. To be wise in our choices. However, at the end of the day, those who pull the trigger and take action are the only ones to succeed.
3. Not drinking the water. Most times, we have everything we need to be successful right in front of us. Key connections. Knowledge and know-how. Natural born talents. But do we leverage those resources to their fullest capacity? Most times, no. It’s like the old saying; ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.’
7. You have written pieces for "Forbes" and "Entrepreneur" what advice can you give someone who wants to accomplish goals similar to these?
First, as billionaire David Rubenstein once said in front of me, a key to successful entrepreneurship is to “learn how to write and talk.” If you want to be a top level writer for a top tier publication, you must hone your craft of writing. Read books on writing. Practice writing. Even when when it hurts.
Next, you must reach out and connect with those in charge to let you write. But not a pitch out of nowhere. Do the research. Ask for introductions. Begin by connecting and then offer value instead of pitching.
I have a great story on how I got on with both Forbes and Entrepreneur, but that’s for another time...
8. Did you have a mentor or someone guiding you along the way? If not, where did you turn to when those feelings of anxiety and frustration came about?
When I started as a young teenager, all I had was books and myself. No mentors. No guidance. Just the sheer determination to make it big someday by owning my own company.
50,000 shades of grey hair later, I realize I took the hard road. It’s an extremely difficult road to travel by yourself, especially during a 3am panic attack because something is going horribly wrong in your business.
That’s why I highly recommend peer group entrepreneurs, masterminds, and advisors. Go to people who have been there, done that, and can help you move through the rough times.
9. In your Q&A with Andrew Spence, you said you would spend one evening with Steve Jobs. What kinds of questions would you ask him, or what would you hope to take away from the evening?
Mainly, what made him so special? Millions of women and men walking around who are just as smart as he was, but clearly something he had was different. Most likely, not just one attribute or element though. A mosaic of different experiences, natural born talents, and lessons learned or acquired. I would love to dig in and really figure that mosaic out in totality.
10. What is one piece of information you would give entrepreneurs that you wish someone would have given to you?
Enjoy the journey. Listen - true entrepreneurs at heart live a lifetime of business creation. It’s not a sprint, like I believed when I was younger. It’s a journey. Some days are great and you take 3 steps forward, and some days are not so good and you take 3 steps back. But in the big picture, you don’t want to get on the other side of this at age 90 and realize you didn’t stop to enjoy any of it.
About Eric
I am a life-long entrepreneur and startup expert living in Sisters, Oregon and I am the Founder and CEO of Mighty Wise Academy: A Virtual Academy For Entrepreneurship. I am also a mentor and advisor for multiple startup companies. If you’d like to learn what it really takes to become a successful entrepreneur, you can connect with me here >>.
3 Invaluable Lessons for the Hopeful Startup Founder
When launching a brand new business, getting good advice early on can make the difference between success and failure. This is why many startup founders choose to work with advisory boards consisting of a group of experienced people who help point them in the right direction when things get rough. Even though there are many benefits associated with having a group of experts by your side as you take your idea into the realm of reality, most startup founders choose to ‘go it alone’. If you’re a lone wolf so to speak who is about to launch a new business venture, here are three invaluable lessons to keep in mind which will help increase your chances of succeeding in your new business venture.
Building a Business is an Ongoing Process and Not a One Time Deal
Building a business involves much more than just putting your plan into action and hanging out the “Open For Business” sign. If you have a grand vision of running a business wherein everything will just work itself out in your favor, you are in for a big surprise to say the least. What you can expect to happen is that you will face many issues and problems along the way that may seem impossible to overcome and solve. You’ll experience times where it seems for every step forward, you take two steps back Every business owner and especially during the startup phase, faces problems and roadblocks and sometimes many of them.
It’s important to realize that your business won’t succeed and grow if you’re not dedicated to working hard and making tough decisions. You’ll have to take some risks that put everything on the line. Building a successful business takes time. It’s almost certain that you will have to make some sacrifices along and fast decisions when facing problems or dilemmas. Yes, there will be moments when you feel like giving up as sometimes the obstacles before you will seem insurmountable. However, with dedication, determination and lots of persistence, your hard work will lead you in the right direction toward succeeding.
Success Won’t Happen Overnight So Don’t Expect to Get Rich Fast
Many startup founders admit to dreaming of going from rags to riches in a very short period of time. If you have those types of dreams, it’s im
portant that you realize that most things associated with getting a business up and running well take longer (and even cost more) than what you originally planned for. From developing your products to finding an investor, everything is likely to take more time than you expected. While the idea of owning a business sounds wonderful, many people who decide to take the leap into business ownership are simply not prepared as they jump right in with no preparation and little knowledge of what they’re doing or of what to expect.
It’s all-to-common for people to think that startup success is easy and requires just a few quick steps. Many people think they just need a great idea that involves offering a very desirable product in order to rake in loads of money shortly after launch. If startup success was really that easy, literally everyone and their brother would be a successful entrepreneur!
Startups that do succeed are run by people who don’t have unrealistic expectations. Instead, they understand that running a business requires them to work long and hard. The breakout successes in the business world are few and far between. There’s actually a greater likelihood that you’ll be struck by lightening than there is of you becoming an overnight business success so keep things in perspective.
You Must be Willing to Learn and Ask for Help When You Need It
No one likes a know-it-all and taking on that mindset certainly won’t help you succeed in the business world. The most successful entrepreneurs learn all they can and they never stop learning. They say when we stop learning, we’re merely existing and how true that is! Read, listen and seek advice from industry experts. Many people become too comfortable after being in business for a while wherein they stop learning and growing. Make it a point to regularly attend webinars, training sessions, conventions and meetings related to your industry. Then apply what you earn to your business. In addition to learning all the ins and outs of your industry, it’s equally important to learn about other areas like sales, marketing, administration, PR, finance and pricing.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help as there is nothing wrong with doing so. Nobody knows everything including you. You will always have questions so be open to asking for advice. If you think you’d benefit from having a mentor, then find one. Just make sure the person you choose is someone who has already accomplished the things you want to accomplish.
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Successful Startup 101 Magazine - Volume 2, Issue 1 Page 13