One of the most important pieces of advice I can give is to start small. We have an ad on our wall that we share with everyone at our company, emphasizing the concept of thinking big, starting small, and growing rapidly. Early business success often hinges on the ability to build only what is necessary at the time and being willing to let go and start anew when needed. This adaptability is crucial for navigating the ever-changing business landscape. When considering this, I reflect on the development of individuals, where the first month of life looks vastly different from the following six months. Similarly, businesses go through different phases, but for small businesses, even six months can bring significant transformation. By proportionally allocating resources, it becomes easier to stay afloat and navigate challenges. Sustaining business success in the first year is challenging, but with strategic planning, resource management, and an adaptable mindset, a solid foundation can be laid for long-term growth.

Embrace the belief in your worthiness for the goals you set. Regardless of the challenges, you will embark on the journey, learn from mistakes, strive for excellence, and even surprise yourself along the way. It's often advised to begin with the end in mind, and that holds true. However, approaching your goals from a place of positive energy, both mentally and emotionally, will greatly aid you. It's crucial to genuinely believe and acknowledge that you deserve the accomplishment you seek. Without this conviction, universal principles suggest that you may unconsciously hinder your own progress. Even if you lack specific details or comprehensive knowledge, cultivating the belief in your deservingness will significantly contribute to your success.

When I started my business, I eagerly began creating my PowerPoint presentation and designing my letterhead, business cards, and other materials. However, I soon realized that I had no clients to share these with. It became clear that I needed to find a way to make myself known. My advice to others is that having a great product or service might not be enough to stand out from the crowd. It's important to differentiate yourself and establish your brand. Identify who you are, what makes you unique, and start embodying those qualities instead of trying to blend in with everyone else.

A diver once shared a simple yet profound advice: "Plan the dive, dive the plan." Similarly, living with intention means meticulously planning out your actions and goals. Just like in that movie starring Will Smith with the talented tennis stars (although I can't recall the name), there was a scene where the girls presented their detailed plan for the day and the following day to him. While it may seem a bit exaggerated in the context of a movie, the underlying message remains powerful. By carefully charting out your plan and diligently executing the tasks outlined within it, you can truly distinguish yourself as a winner. It's not about categorizing others as losers, but rather recognizing that this level of commitment and follow-through sets successful individuals apart.

Surround yourself with a reliable and supportive network of individuals. From a bookkeeper to an attorney to an accountant, ensure that these individuals possess a solid understanding of you and your business. Cultivate strong relationships with them because they are your team. As a startup founder, you may initially feel alone, but there are numerous people out there who can assist you. Begin building these connections early on, as they will be with you throughout your business journey. These relationships will serve as a valuable sounding board as your company evolves. Think of them as your own personal board of directors, accessible to startup founders and entrepreneurs alike. By nurturing strong bonds with professionals such as accountants and bankers, your chances of successfully navigating the first, second, and third years of your business will significantly increase.

One valuable piece of advice is to surround yourself with individuals who possess extensive knowledge in areas where you lack expertise. Fortunately, there are numerous individuals out there who are eager to serve as mentors. These individuals may seem inaccessible initially, but you can overcome this hurdle by utilizing platforms like LinkedIn. By reaching out to people whom you never thought would respond, including those who have accomplished remarkable feats or regularly share valuable insights on LinkedIn, you can broaden your network. Composing a simple message expressing your admiration and explaining your situation as a newcomer, you can humbly request 15 minutes of their time for a call. During this call, you can introduce your business and eagerly seek their guidance regarding the most suitable direction to pursue.

Embrace the art of marketing and discover effective strategies to promote your company, brand, product, or service to potential customers. In today's digital age, marketing plays a pivotal role across various industries. Without a solid understanding of marketing principles or the guidance of knowledgeable professionals in the field, you may encounter difficulties. While there's a slim chance of lucking out and experiencing a viral moment, relying solely on chance or neglecting consistent content creation will not yield favorable results. To succeed, it's crucial to adapt to the digital landscape and leverage its vast potential to reach your target audience.

Do not wait for the perfect idea to embark on your entrepreneurial journey. If you possess a fervent desire to establish a company that offers solutions, the key often lies in surpassing or diverging from existing practices. Many individuals have achieved substantial success and created thriving businesses in well-established industries such as dry cleaning services or restaurants, simply by offering a superior or unique approach to delivering those services.

Read a book titled "Unseen Void" and absorb its essence to embody it fully. The book highlights the notion that one's knowledge is limited, emphasizing the existence of countless things yet to be discovered, particularly the imperceptible gaps in the journey of starting a business. Unless you hail from a lineage akin to the Rockefellers, Fellows, or Trumps, or have the privilege of attending prestigious institutions like Harvard, where you encounter affluent peers with affluent parents, you, like me, may have attended a state school and faced financial hardships throughout your life. Consequently, you lack the invaluable insights and wisdom accumulated by the wealthy elite who came before you. Trump's success in constructing towering edifices stems from the foundation laid by Trump Senior, who diligently constructed a real estate empire, experienced failures, and learned from them over a century of industry experience. This invisible knowledge was then transmitted to his offspring.

The main lesson I've learned is to consistently check my assumptions.