28/10/2024
Flashback - Everybody falls the first time!
Its 1999, The Matrix has just been released in cinemas and it’s my first day as a self-employed entrepreneur.
I had little more than a vision and endless determination (coupled with gut wrenching fear and uncertainty 😄)
Over the years, I’ve made decisions that led to both growth and setbacks. And each step along the way taught me something I couldn’t have learned otherwise. The truth is I’ve ‘started’ 5 businessines over the years and some worked and some didn’t (I’m 2 up and 3 down for the count).
The biggest realization?
Success isn’t about where you start or what resources you have—it’s about the actions you take every single day. These are the five most valuable lessons I’ve learned since that first day:
𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 —or even what you lack—that determines success. What holds you back isn’t a lack of resources but a lack of daily action. Consistency beats talent or resources every time. Show up daily, no matter what.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝘂𝗽. A missed opportunity is often just a missed follow-up. Keep that relationship warm, check in regularly, and show your interest. I can’t count how many opportunities came from a second, third or even longer follow-up.
𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲. You might be brilliant at what you do, but in business, it’s the connections you build that will carry you through. Focus on building real relationships—they will open doors your expertise alone cannot.
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. Running a business requires a lot of hats, but you don’t need to wear them all. Lean on others for the areas you’re not as strong in, especially sales and marketing. Let people help you; it’ll allow you to focus on what you do best.
𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 '𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹'. Once you have consistency, follow-up, relationship-building, and a support system in place, 99% of your success will depend on your mindset. Keep it positive, keep it forward-focused.
No matter where you are on your entrepreneurial path, I believe that these five lessons can save you a lot of time and unnecessary detours.
I learn something new every day - and I’m not ashamed to say it - I still don’t know everything and I still have more to learn.
Looking forward to learning what’s been impactful in your journey.