25 Considerations I've Learnt While Starting My First Business
A Year ago I began my first real business, The SuperHero Factory Bali a movement and bodyweight playground for all ages inspired by parkour and freerunning to help people overcome their mental blocks by interacting with and overcoming physical obstacles. We cater to retreat groups, corporate team workshops as well as school kids and holiday goers. The genesis of this idea began when I literally took a leap of faith off a church roof in England and used that to dissolve another leap of faith in my life, quitting my job selling computers. If you wish to find out more of my story in detail, you can read it HERE or watch my TEDx Talk Taking A Leap From Desktop to Rooftop
The List
Dream big, build small, that's from Branson.
Never mind the huge list of things to do, just focus on what you can do next. Then next.
Stay emotionally disconnected from the investment; it's what money is there for.
Show up and do the work without judgement or criticism.
Find the yin to your yang. Employ or delegate to others who are better than you or whom compliment your skills.
Deal with challenges along the way as tests of your resolve and commitment rather than some slap in the face from the universe. Ignore the doubts of others but heed their actionable advice and learn from their mistakes.
Remember why you started.
Constantly look for ways to improve and better your offer or innovate.
Endeavour to deliver more value not simply a lower price. How can you help/improve/ease the lives of others through your venture?
Be on or ahead of trend.
Seek a growing niche or provide a niche in a mass market.
Eliminate mistakes and self-correct progressively.
Talk less and do more.
Document the process. Take notes along the way.
Seek guidance (but don't take on the emotional state) from those wiser and more experienced. Some people are jaded, learn from them objectively. You are not them. Your story is your own.
Hold steadfast to your vision through the tougher times. The clearer it is the more power it has to carry you through.
People can't see what's in your head until it's realised in front of them. Don't convince them, show them.
Look for the blessing in all obstacles along the way. There are always blessings and always opportunities.
Spend time with people who further you to your goals. Align with good people.
Have a vision for your next 5 steps/phases.
If something feels right do it.
Understand the legal system and laws where you wish to operate.
Fail forward. Endless preparation does not replace learning as you go and working improvement.
Be ready to let your initial idea or plan adapt and evolve to cater to changing market needs. You may think your business is one thing but then results show your clients are after another. Flexibility of scope over rigidity of service.
If not now then when, if not you then whom?
I see your list @tahriq and I agree.
To have success you need to have a target, to be strong and of course find the balance or as you say it "the yin and yang"
I'm sure there are man lists for beginning a business. These just happened to be the things that jumped out at me. Thanks for reading.