Let me begin by saying, anyone that tells you that entrepreneurship is easy has either never been a business owner, or is just straight up in denial. Even with all of the ups and downs I would still rather work 80 hours a week for myself than 40 for someone else. The key I have found is to listen to the experts who blazed the trail before me and to find a balance between the good and the bad, the tedious work and the creative work.
Build Your Team
Before you do anything else, write down your strengths and weaknesses. Yes, write them down so you can see them, visualize them, and refer back to them. Once you determine and recognize these you can get to work building your team. You DO need a team; you do NOT need to be everything and do everything yourself. In fact, the sooner you learn this, the faster your track to success will be.
There is No “I” in Entrepreneur
Working alone sucks. I actually use that as my tagline in business because it’s the truth. It has been proven that being around like-minded people motivates us and having those connections increases our productivity. Being a business owner, an entrepreneur, sounds sexy, but it will take its toll on you if you don’t build strong business and social relationships. And even if it doesn’t make sense to hire your own in-house team, you can still join networking groups, find a mentor, and outsource day-to-day operations that will ultimately create new opportunities.
As you jump into business, you will quickly find out you are more than an exceptional sales person. You are now the bookkeeper, the marketing manager, the CFO, the receptionist. Thousands of little day to day tasks now fall on your shoulders.
This brings me back to strengths and weaknesses and the necessity in building your team. I cannot stress enough the importance of aligning yourself with experts that compliment your strengths. Find yourself a great CPA and bookkeeper right from the start and find yourself a business coach. There are so many resources available, like the WBC, that provide free workshops and mentoring for business owners at every stage of business.
Kathryn Christiansen
Kathryn@mybusinessbar.com
www.mybusinessbar.com
Facebook: My Business Bar
Twitter: myBusinessBar
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Kathryn Christiansen is the Owner/Founder of myBusinessBar, Utah’s first hybrid coworking office space. She is a serial entrepreneur with more than 10 start up businesses under her belt. She owes her success to her four amazing children who have tolerated crazy work hours and mood swings. Kathryn is passionate about helping other women succeed and finding the courage to re-invent and overcome life’s challenges. When not locked in an office searching for the next challenge, you can find her on the beaches of San Diego with a glass of vino in her hand.