Been There Done That – Entrepreneurs Share Their Wisdom

When it comes to starting a business it’s not necessarily the mountain of paperwork that can be daunting, but the overwhelming barrier of our own confidence.

It becomes all too easy to undermine our own decisions, and sometimes we simply want someone to turn around and say that we’re doing the right thing.

As a start-up it’s therefore essential to gain some mentoring from those who have been there, done that and got the t-shirt.  And by this we don’t just mean reading the many inspirational quotes of brand leaders and CEO’s, we mean talking to those who are still balancing every area of the business and making it a success.

Of course everyone rates success differently, so this shouldn’t deter you from your goals but help you achieve them.

Their experience and journey can help to impart some useful knowledge onto you that books and bank managers simply have no idea about.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, as these mentors can give you the confidence to create the business you have been planning.

Make it Fun

“Starting a business is going to be a long hike, so you better find a way to enjoy it”, says Jordan Silbert Founder of QDrinks.

It’s easy to get caught up in the rollercoaster of running a business, but don’t forget to step back and enjoy it.

Making it enjoyable should become a high priority for yourself and your team. Because if nobody is enjoying it, what’s the point?

Be Honest with Yourself

“You have to realise from the start that you do not have all the answers”. Comments Justin Borgman Founder of Hadapt.

There’s no such thing as a pre-made businessman, so don’t put the pressure on yourself to know everything.

Starting a business will be a crash course learning experience, and it’s only by asking questions and being willing to open yourself up to others that you will learn from these valuable lessons and grow.

Make Networking Happen

“Make a list of a few dozen people you want to meet and send them a genuine email asking for their advice, some may ignore your email, but you may be surprised at who will respond”, comments Jonathan Swanson Director of Thumbtack.

Networking has gained a bad reputation over the past few years, but if you can proactively network and take yourself to the people that matter it may be more affective than just attending local meetups. 

Pace Yourself

“Don’t grow too quickly, and by that I mean not going out and getting everything on finance and loans. This is all pressure you add to the business and yourself, comments John Ellingham Director of Canopy UK.

Every decision that is made has to be yours, you should listen to everybody’s opinion but then make your own choice.

The more you put in the more you get out, but you have to be ready to take things into consideration and be realistic about what you have available.

There’s no such thing as a secret to success, but by collaborating with other like-minded business mentors you will find that the road becomes a lot smoother than you initially expected.