3 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started My Business

1. Just Start, Don't Wait for Perfection

One of the biggest challenges I faced when starting my business was the overwhelming desire to have everything perfect before launching. I wanted to be prepared for every possible outcome and business situation. However, only when I entered the market did I realize that it would shape my offers. Listening to clients helped me understand what to focus on.

Life-changing events, such as the pandemic, were not something I could have predicted in 2017 when I was polishing my business plan and dreaming. Those unforeseen circumstances taught me the importance of flexibility and adaptability. In a rapidly changing world, being overly fixated on perfection can stall your success and cause you to quit before trying.

If I could go back, I would tell myself to start, be flexible, and stay persistent. The reality is that you will never be fully prepared for every possible scenario. The market, your clients, and the ever-changing business landscape will continuously shape your business. The key is to start, learn from each experience, and adapt as you go. Showing up consistently, learning from failures, and iterating based on feedback will guide you toward success.

2. You Can't Solve All of the Challenges in One Day

Another critical lesson is the importance of prioritization. When you're starting a business, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks and challenges that need attention. Early on, I tried to tackle everything at once, believing that if I could just "clean the plate" of my work to-do list, everything would be perfect. This approach is not only unsustainable but also detrimental to your mental health and business success.

Learning how to prioritize and accept that some tasks will never be done is crucial. Not every task is of equal importance, and part of being an effective entrepreneur is knowing which tasks to tackle first and which ones can wait. This doesn't mean neglecting important responsibilities but rather focusing on the activities that will have the most significant impact on your business.

You also need to accept that you will wear many hats in the beginning. You might find yourself acting as the CEO, marketeer, customer service representative, and administrative staff all in one day. Attempting to juggle multiple full-time roles is unsustainable; prioritizing key tasks is essential. Focus on getting business and maintaining relationships, and all the details can be polished later on. You don't need a perfect website to start with; even a LinkedIn profile or a professional email address can be sufficient in the beginning.

Understanding that it's okay to leave some tasks undone can be liberating. This mindset shift allows you to focus on what truly matters and prevents burnout. By prioritizing effectively, you ensure that your efforts are aligned with your business goals and that you're making meaningful progress.

3. Embrace Automation Early

The third lesson is the power of automation. Using software can free up your time, and many options offer free tiers that allow for scaling later. Early on, I relied heavily on traditional methods like note-taking and manual tracking. While these methods have their place, they can be incredibly time-consuming and inefficient.

Embracing digital tools early on can significantly enhance efficiency and productivity. Tools like ClickUp, SmartSuite, HubSpot, and others are designed to help businesses automate and streamline various processes. These tools are user-friendly and don't require programming knowledge or a consultant to get started. By integrating these tools into your workflow, you can save valuable time and resources.

Automation can handle repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on strategic and creative aspects of your business. For example, automating your email marketing, customer relationship management (CRM), and project management can drastically reduce the time spent on administrative tasks. This frees up your time to focus on building relationships, developing your products and services, and scaling your business.

Moreover, most of these tools offer free tiers or trial periods, making them accessible even for startups with limited budgets. Investing time in learning and implementing these tools early on can provide a significant return on investment as your business grows. The sooner you embrace automation, the more efficient and scalable your business will become.

Summary

Reflecting on these three insights, I realize how crucial they have been in shaping my entrepreneurial journey. Just starting without waiting for perfection, prioritizing tasks to avoid burnout, and embracing automation early on are the lessons that would have made a significant difference in starting my business.

If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or just starting your business, I hope these lessons resonate with you. Remember, the journey of entrepreneurship is filled with learning experiences. Embrace each challenge as an opportunity to grow, stay flexible, and be open to adapting your strategies.

What are three things you wish you knew before starting your business?

Sharing experiences and insights can help us all grow and succeed together.

I help service-based businesses adapt processes, choose and implement software, and save time by translating their needs into no-code features.

I also reflect on my entrepreneurial journey and try to share that experience to help other entrepreneurs.