Do’s & Don’ts In Business Start-Ups

So, you’re wanting, and ready to start your new, exciting business venture. AWESOME!

So many women that I talk to, that are wanting to start their own business are doing it for the wrong reasons, with no real over-arching vision or long term strategy. Get off on the right track by following a few simple “DO’s and DON’Ts.”

DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONALLY!

Having your own business feels like you have a child at times. You protect your child on all levels, you become a “stage 5 clinger” – your extremely attached. Just like every child grows and progresses differently, this means you have to learn and respond as you grow in your own business as well. This also means you should not let the opinion’s of others get to you throughout.

HAVE STRONG WORK ETHIC. REALLY STRONG WORK ETHIC!

Your relationship, your marriage, is absolutely number 1 at all times. Nothing will ever trump this. However, you must be willing to make sacrifices and trade-offs constantly. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Anything worth having requires good old fashioned hard work and sacrifice.

STAY IN YOUR LANE

Be constantly aware of your time that you give, and your time that you use to carry out your days. You are the business owner, the creator, founder, and so you MUST stay in your lane at all times. Every once in a while it is easy to say “yes” to every aspect of your business, but you must stay true to your skill set and your core talent and delegate accordingly. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in a sea of stress. Often this is the reason behind business failures and I see it too often.

ALWAYS TAKE THE HIGH ROAD

Business is not always beautiful, so you must learn to walk away classy and take the high road. It doesn’t matter how important it is to get your point across to a client, a customer or a stakeholder, stay true to your purpose and vision and move on. Let others take the low road, it is not your concern. It will not be worth any of your time, and it will always redirect your energy into wasted areas.

BE PERSISTENT AND CONSISTENT

Working towards your goals and your dreams can be extremely difficult at times, and can lead you down a lonely road. Failure is a learning process, and if we aren’t failing we aren’t progressing. You must get back up, and do things differently. Do not be afraid of trial and error. Consistency is key to progression. Be consistent with your attitude and remain positive at all times. Others will look to you for answers, and you will become impressionable upon others as a business owner. Rise to the occasion!

GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING

Did you, and your best friend from high school come up with an amazing business idea that is sure to pave the way for our future? Did you have a chat over the phone, or come to an agreement in person with your partner, or friend? TOO BAD. It may as well have not existed in the first place. In the big world of business, words mean nothing, and documentation, agreements and constitutions are paramount. If you cannot afford a legal advisor to oversee the basics, then you cannot afford to do business.

EDUCATE YOURSELF ON YOUR PROFESSION

Education is KING! Be a “forever student” and seek guidance with conviction. Find a mentor, attend seminars, network with like-minded individuals, register for online webinars, READ. The list here is endless. Be pro-active in this area and never think you are too qualified or experienced for the gig. The world is changing at a rapid rate, and we have an obligation to keep up as entrepreneurs.

STAY WITHIN YOUR PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES

Be very careful of developing personal relationships with clients, unless it is already established. When setting up and running a business you are in constant contact with people. It is important to build and maintain strong relationships, but sometimes this can work against you and your expectations may begin to change. Stay within your professional boundaries at all times, and you will be highly respected for it.

DON’T WORK WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Albeit controversial, this is a risky path to take. Don’t be responsible for your friends. Do friend things with your friends, and do business things with your business people. SIMPLE.

DON’T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!

When setting up your business, you MUST remind yourself why you are doing it, constantly. Never forget to enjoy the journey, even the lows as this is your “change zone” and the times that will enable you to become stronger and to grow. Enjoy the ride, and allow your business to become your career, and not your job. It is a truly exciting thing to know that you are able to build something.