4 lessons i’ve learnt from starting my own business
I have always been a PAYG employee and never had the expertise from business owners in my immediate circle to guide me.
While you may have the ideas and skills in your field, navigating the business administration and marketing aspects can often cloud your perception of growth. Here are the top four tips I've learned throughout this process that may provide valuable insights into starting a business.
Business does not happen overnight
When reflecting on all the time you have spent developing your business, it can seem as though the hard work has gone to waste if your service or product isn’t selling. This can be quite disheartening.
In my instance, I had everything ready before I secured my first client. In my head, I wanted to come across as professional and ‘put together.’ I had my website, social media page, business email, and terms of service; and yet, no one was jumping at the chance to work with me. Doubt started to kick in, and I wondered whether this was worth anything at all.
Your business may take longer than you initially anticipated to reach your intended goals. Ensuring that you persevere, grow, and show up will make that triumph all the more worth it. Your time will come. Never lose sight of your vision.
“What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”
2. It is okay to not know
When you first start out as a business owner, you will be the employee, employer, HR manager, salesperson, receptionist, and marketing strategist. The list goes on and on.
It is okay to not know what every aspect of the role as a business owner entails. But having a willingness to learn can make a world of difference. When I first decided to embark on my journey as a copywriter, all I knew was that I loved to write and share that passion with the world. I was in way over my head, trying to learn about my field of work while balancing all the demands of the business. Weirdly enough, this only pushed me to want to learn more.
I signed up for free online courses to learn how to develop and SEO optimise my website and connected with a network of professionals to learn how to best market and sell my services. Accessing free content online helped ease my anxieties surrounding necessary business tasks. However, nothing prepared me for the inundation of administrative tasks that would be thrown my way. I felt as though I was sinking with the demands of being a sole trader and struggled with organising the importance of my tasks.
Although my prioritisation has gotten better, the demands of the job haven’t. I am still wearing all those hats and understand I have a lot of room for growth. However, I am kinder to myself. My expertise is in my skillset of copywriting.
If the crux of your business is your passion, then all will fall into place.
3. securing your first client is always the hardest
Securing your first client is a challenging yet rewarding milestone in your journey. You may see job opportunities pop up on LinkedIn and question whether you should apply. This process can feel daunting, especially when you are proving your value without strong testimonials or an extensive portfolio. This is where you need a compelling selling point.
So, what is your cutting-edge difference that helps you stand out from the rest? Is it your honesty, or perhaps your concise communication? Find what strengths you possess and lean into them.
It's not expected that your first client will be a major corporation. Starting small is perfectly fine. See if you can network with local businesses to offer your expertise and services. I am sure they would love the exposure and assistance.
Above all, ensure you possess a ‘never give up’ attitude. You never know what may be around the corner.
4. Working ‘ON’ the business is just as important as working ‘in’ the business
When starting out, small business owners may struggle to find their balance between working ‘on’ the business and working ‘in’ the business. Although there are demands of your job (emails, networking, website building, digital marketing) which require daily action, it is just as important to take a step back to focus on growth, goals and the pathway towards strategic progression for you in your field.
Working ‘on’ the business fosters a space for inspiration and innovation. Ensuring that you allocate time for the future of your business keeps it fresh and competitive. When there is room to work on both aspects, you begin to develop a more comprehensive scope of what is currently working well but also begin to formulate a business ready for future success.
I hope these insights assist you in navigating the world of entrepreneurial business.
Remember, hard work pays off. Stick to it and make it happen. The world is not ready for your impact.