071 | Solopreneur Mistakes When We Start Out

Starting a business on your own is arguably one of the most exciting AND terrifying experience you could ever have. Along with the intoxicating optimism about your business growing, there’s this lingering fear that you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re not good enough, you don’t have a remarkable product - that mindset block that ruins your game.   The good news is, you are going to make a lot of mistakes and you are going to learn and grow a lot from them. There’s no such thing is a perfect start.   So in this episode, I will be sharing beginner mistakes that I have experienced myself and you might have had too (or are currently doing!) and the key changes that I made to grow as a solopreneur: 1. Not building your network early It's never too early to meeting new people and finding your community. When you're starting a relatively unique business (like an online business where you don't personally know anyone that does that in your local area or in your friendship group), reaching out to leaders in your niche is a great idea to learn.   2. Not asking for help It's not easy to do things yourself when you're starting out, and you don't need to learn and execute every single thing.   3. Skimping on tools you need to improve your business We all want to run a lean startup and for a lot of us, we don’t really have a choice! But sometimes trying to cut costs might actually keep you from implementing a system in your business that will mean you’re growing faster and more efficiently. Don't hesitate to invest in good tools and courses that might be useful in running your business!   4. Underestimating your skill set Your limitations in business are defined by what YOU THINK you can do. If you think you can't do this, you probably won't until you decide to just do it. Selling yourself shortThis is a common struggle among creatives - they don't realize the work behind your designs and so they would try to haggle for the price or worse, ask you to give it to them for free especially if they are friends/family/family friends. Realize the value you bring to the table and make it clear to them that what you're doing is a business. You're making a decision!   5. Not separating your personal finances from the business This comes in a few different forms: Personal/Business Finances Boundaries on your time Check out ep 66 - we talk about 5 ways to know if you need boundaries in your business.   6. Trying to perfect every single thing If you're aiming for perfection, you'll never achieve it. Being a perfectionist only steals time you should be spending on other things in your to-do list instead. Also, that's what improvement is for. Your first steps need not be perfect. Their main purpose really is so that you put yourself out there. As you go, you will realize what works and what doesn't, and only then can you improve. And you'll always improve 7. Not using your 'dead' time efficiently Running your own business is different from a 9-5 job. While there's nothing wrong with going out for a drink or two, you should also use your downtimeime to expand your knowledge. Enrol to an ecourse, download a podcast and listen to it while you're out on a run, set up virtual coffee with your new online business friends, etc. Tune in below or listen to this episode on iTunes or Spotify!