Ensure you have a robust support network in place; this is absolutely crucial. Whether it's an advisory board, close friends and family, a coach, or a mentor, as I mentioned earlier, it's essential. The entrepreneurial journey can often be a solitary one, and the statistics show that entrepreneurs facing mental health challenges experience significantly higher rates of these challenges compared to those who are not in the entrepreneurial world. This underscores the difficulty of the entrepreneurial landscape and how isolating it can become. So, my advice is to proactively seek out and cultivate a support system around you.

I would advise against solely pursuing financial gain. While it's clear that our primary goal in this venture is to run a successful business that generates profit, allowing us to compensate ourselves and foster financial growth, it's important not to be driven solely by money. When your sole motivation is monetary gain, you might constantly chase quick, opportunistic wins and find yourself eager to pivot frequently. Without a strong guiding principle, like our commitment to family values as our North Star, it becomes easy to be swayed by fleeting opportunities.

I would advise you not to let fear hold you back. Many individuals refrain from starting their own businesses simply because they're afraid. They fear that they may not be capable of succeeding, that it will demand too much time, or that it will be more demanding than they anticipate. I believe the primary issue for most people is that they have aspirations but are apprehensive about pursuing them. In my case, this opportunity didn't even originate from a dream; it simply landed in my lap. However, when faced with such an unexpected opportunity, one has a choice: to shrink back in fear, questioning whether they're up for the challenge, or to embrace it, recognizing the potential need for what they can offer. I believe many individuals hesitate, and as a result, their ideas sometimes become someone else's, as all great ideas eventually surface.

Conduct thorough research and introspection. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to pursue this?" Many people venture into business solely for financial gain, which often leads to failure. The most successful entrepreneurs I've observed are those who are genuinely passionate about addressing a specific problem. They either invest in a franchise and actively manage it or identify a problem, develop a solution, and become the remedy. These individuals are driven by a deep passion for problem-solving. On the contrary, I've seen numerous businesses fail because their founders lacked genuine purpose. They jumped into entrepreneurship thinking it was an easy way to make money without giving adequate consideration to their venture.

The most crucial advice for a new business owner is wholehearted immersion in every aspect of the enterprise, including taking on the role of a salesperson and actively participating in the startup process. This hands-on involvement should be coupled with a deep understanding of the business's operations and the development of a clear and enduring vision and mission statement. Regularly reviewing and refining this vision is vital, and our quarterly team meetings serve this purpose, ensuring not only that I as the owner have a clear direction but also that every team member is fully committed to our shared mission, reciting it daily to stay focused on our goals and purpose.

Embracing the lean startup life means accepting the uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship. While the initial excitement often revolves around the prospect of endless possibilities, it's essential to adopt a minimalist mindset, focusing on survival. Your business becomes your livelihood, and success demands unwavering commitment. Prepare for the rollercoaster of highs and lows, but maintain a balanced perspective to navigate the challenges without losing sight of your ultimate goals. Stay steady in your responses, knowing that resilience is the key to long-term success.

You should possess at least a basic grasp of the business you're entering into, or consider hiring someone who does. It's possible to invest in a franchise without comprehensive knowledge, but it's crucial to have knowledgeable individuals on your team. However, even more crucial for business owners is understanding that perfection isn't a prerequisite. Striving for perfection can stifle entrepreneurial drive and hinder business progress. Sometimes, "good enough" is indeed good enough to kickstart a project or launch a business. Perfection isn't attainable, and I've personally grappled with this in my career, thinking every piece of software or website had to be flawless. Nothing will ever be flawless, but with time, you can always refine and improve it.

I have a lot of advice to offer, but if I had to condense it into one key point, it would be this: Take action. If you're thinking about starting a business or becoming an entrepreneur, it's easy to get stuck in a cycle of overthinking. We can spend hours reading and watching content on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, accumulating a lot of knowledge that doesn't really become useful because we haven't put it into practice. We might believe we understand it, but the truth is, we likely don't until we apply it. We find ourselves in a place where we want to take action and pursue our entrepreneurial goals, but we hesitate. So, if you're truly committed and this passion runs deep within you, you must take that initial step forward.

My business principles revolve around honesty, integrity, customer-centricity, and giving back through tithing. Honesty is paramount, including admitting mistakes and providing candid advice. Paying taxes diligently, avoiding ethical dilemmas, and prioritizing the customer's welfare are non-negotiable. In our insurance business, we referred customers to better deals when we couldn't offer the lowest rates, fostering trust. Avoid overcharging, offer assistance when possible, and don't fear admitting when you don't know, but commit to finding answers. These principles ensure both ethical business growth and a good night's sleep.