5 Invaluable Lessons For First-Time Entrepreneurs
I've always been the type of person who fares better working for myself than for others. Admittedly, I'm a little bit of a control freak – ok, maybe a lot of one. I like things done my way, which usually means I just end up doing everything myself.
But through this wild world of becoming an entrepreneur, I've learned a number of invaluable lessons along the way.
1. You have to grind it out
It wasn't until my entrepreneurial pursuits began that I truly began to appreciate the saying “nothing good comes easy.” In juggling my family life along with my new business – not to mention what little social life I now had – it felt like I was working at least two full-time jobs. I never got a break, couldn't call in sick or leave for a vacation when things were stressful. Good did eventually come, but it was not easy.
2. Your network is essential
In business, connections are key. Whether it's in real life interactions or online, the more people you can connect with and build relationships with, the better.
Social media has become a vital part of the ecommerce world. It's absolutely essential that you have a strong online presence, connected through your social media outlets and take advantage of everything they offer.
In order to keep my social media accounts manageable, and updated regularly, I sought out help from Buffer, which helps me schedule my posts ahead of time and as post things to each outlet simultaneously.
I also turn to Talk Walker often to listen to what others are saying about my brand and the industry overall. Connecting with like-minded people in the real world became much easier through Meet Up, where I can search for or create events to network and learn from others.
3. You don't have to go at it alone
As I've already mentioned, I'm a bit of a control freak. But I quickly learned that I needed to relinquish a bit of that control in order to get everything done, and in order to get at least a few hours of sleep each night.
At the beginning, I really did try to do everything myself, but I eventually decided to look into outsourcing some of the work that needed to get done, and it became a lifesaver for me.
For my business writing, I got help from Big Assignments and Ox Essays, which was a relief because I knew I could trust their experts to put together content that would meet my high standards.
With my limited start-up budget, outsourcing was a vital component in getting things done. That's because I wasn't financially able to hire a staff to work with me, so I had to rely on freelancers to do that. I found Upwork and Essayroo to be the perfect resources for finding those freelancers who were experts in whatever I needed done – and I was still able to stay within my limited budget.
4. Don't leave your friends and family stranded
Those who have been in your life throughout the years and have stood by you during this transition to entrepreneurship can be an incredible source of strength and motivation – and they can give you a good reality check when it's needed. As busy as you'll get, don't abandon those relationships that are so important to you. Set time out of your busy schedule to make a phone call or have a visit with friends. It can help recharge your battery and give you the energy to keep going.
5. Take that first step
Trying something new and different is always a scary prospect. When you're unsure of what the outcome will be, it's hard to take that first step, not knowing if you're walking toward success or failure.
But you won't go in either direction if you don't make a move. Remember that you're not alone, and there are incredible resources out there to help you. And, you don't have to be an expert in every aspect of business or hire someone to do everything – there are simple ways of getting things done.
Accepting payments, for example, is easily accomplished through Due. And, if you've got any business related trips, you can organize your travels with TripIt. Use what's available to help give you the best chances of success, but you won't have any chance at success if you don't take that first step.
Entrepreneurship is a tough job, but you're never alone while you're doing it. There are so many incredible sources of help, and there’s a wealth of inspiration and information that can be tapped throughout every stage of your journey.
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Gloria Kopp is a web content writer and an elearning consultant from Manville City. She graduated from University of Wyoming and began her career as a business writer; now, she works as a part-time blog editor at Essayroo. She is a regular contributor to such websites as Australian help, Engadget, and Huffington Post.
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