Starting a business from the ground up can be both exhilarating and frightening at the same time but with a bit of advice you just might make it in one piece. Of course you have a vision and are eager to get started however before you do anything, take a few moments to read the following tips that have been compiled from successful entrepreneurs who wished someone had advised them before they took that first step.
1. Find a mentor
Making decisions can be one of the most stressful aspects of being a new business owner. You may have been in management before, but when the ultimate responsibility is yours it is a totally different game. The first thing you should do is find a mentor who has been successful and has walked the road before you. It should be someone not associated with your enterprise, someone who does not have a vested interest in your company. This ensures that any advice given is unbiased and guidance in which you can trust.
2. Dream big but start small
Too many entrepreneurs had wonderful ideas and they just knew they were going to succeed so they borrowed huge amounts of money to invest in their fledgling company. It is true that you need a good bit of capital to start a new business, but the best financial advice anyone can give is to dream big but start small. That way, if you find that down the road a bit you need further funding there are doors still open to you. If you’ve tapped all your resources there may be nothing left to fall back on. Always borrow only what you need in that moment and leave doors open for future need.
3. Plan your course
You may not understand this now but you need a business plan even before you begin looking for financial backers. It doesn’t matter whether you need the investment capital or not, the point is that a business plan is a must. Map it out from where you are now, step by step, through to your desired goal. Keep this plan handy, refer to it often and don’t be afraid to make adjustments along the way.
4. Surround yourself with Good (and smart) People
It may be your dream, your company and your money that got you this far but in order to be a success you need to surround yourself with good people. Unless you intend to do everything from administrative tasks to manufacturing to marketing your product, you will need a team.
Choose people who show the potential to be team players and are willing to work together towards a common goal. There is no room for overinflated egos (even your own!) so choose good people who are ready, willing and able to be a vital part of a team.
5. Focus on your customers
You have planned your course, mapped it out and somewhere along the way you find that you are not as successful as you thought you were going to be. Consumers are not breaking down your doors to buy your products and you are starting to get a bit discouraged. This is where you need to revisit your plan and focus on what potential customers are saying.
What do they want and can you vary your product enough to satisfy their requirements? Don’t be afraid to make changes along the way and don’t be afraid of failure. If you learn from your mistakes it will help you grow so embrace them and go back to the drawing board.
One final piece of advice is that you do everything in your power to pay attention to the here and now. Yes you are working towards a goal but if the day to day affairs get in the way, step back and regroup. Some entrepreneurs find that getting extra rest helps to put them at ease whilst others take nootropic supplements to help them refocus.
If you are losing your focus due to stress and long hours at the wheel, you can buy Artvigil which is known to enhance mental acuity. Talk to your mentor, take a break and then meet with your team. Just don’t get discouraged because, as the old saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Be strong and stay focused.