How can you build a network of supporters to guide and resource your entrepreneurial journey?

Identifying your needs and goals is a crucial step in both personal and professional development. It serves as a roadmap that guides your actions and decisions. In my experience understanding your needs and goals is the cornerstone of building a successful business.

There are two types of mentors to consider: Serious Mentors: These are seasoned professionals with vast knowledge and success in their fields. They offer on-demand expertise and tailored guidance. While their services come at a cost, the value they provide is unmatched. Altruistic Supporters: These individuals have a genuine altruistic mindset, particularly towards select startups. They're not in it for financial gain but are dedicated to seeing your startup thrive. Their support goes beyond words, as they actively engage with your venture, offering time, resources, and connections. Choosing the right mentor is crucial. But the selection process isn't simple. You need to have a filtering system to avoid wasting precious time.

Having a clear vision and identifying goals when founding a business from the ground up seem simple but can change very quickly as your life trajectory changes and other environmental factors beyond your control. Making yourself known to the community with authenticity and commitment to the integrity of your product or service generates its own momentum to building a supportive community. Creating visibility by story telling and online presence is crucial. Ongoing reflection to be on the pulse rather than be reactive is also critical. My classic tips on identifying goals and needs are first doing the SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats) and obsessing on how to attract your avatar or ideal customer.

Identifying goals can be challenging for first time founders due to the unknowns. Luckily there is more resources then ever to help guide you through all processes as you identify them. AI, such as ChatGPT, can be a great starting point resource to help you identify and achieve goals while pointing you to the appropriate Human Resources you need to complete each task. Platforms such as LinkedIn and Upwork can help you hire the resources you need to complete individual tasks. Some tasks like stock structuring and ISOs have very little info online due to the individualized needs of every company. IMO, the best advice is find an successful entrepreneur mentor in a similar vertical who can guide you through all stages and make intros.

Three things to start with..V.M.S.. Vision , mission & Strategy.. If the vision is not clearly defined, it will be a foul start.. If the mission is not clear, it will lead to confusion..so set the way to reach your vision If strategy is not defined properly ,entry won't be fruitful ,will end up with wrong decision,frustration,loss of competitive advantage in all segments in business

There are a lot of communities and IRL events for entrepreneurs where you can meet like minded people. At the beginning, many might talk about things you have not heard of, but with time you get more familiar with the topics.

Connecting with the right people can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations. Approach these connections with authenticity and a genuine interest in learning from them. When reaching out, take a moment to personalize your message. Mention something specific that caught your eye about their profile or work. This shows that you've made an effort to understand their background and are genuinely interested in connecting. It's a small gesture that can make a big difference in building a meaningful relationship.

Once you have identified individuals with whom mutual value can be exchanged, Assist them in meaningful ways that resonate with their needs. Actions can range from simple gestures like airport rides to tangible business assistance, such as renewing a soon-to-expire domain. Doing so activates the law of reciprocity, a powerful principle that often prompts a return of favor. → Make value-giving your default setting. This attracts supporters to you. #dhandhekafunda

This is a sensitive area.. probably with the advancement of technology like AI, human skill may be underrated..but the reality is that a strong network of skilled and committed layer of loyal employees at all levels right from top to bottom is essential to run the business , effectively using the uplifted technology platform.. maintain a small layer across all levels and rest be a floating model...so that, value, culture, insights, vision, mission..etc won't get diluted anywhere

Make your vision everyones. Open up the channels for ideation, adaptation and creativity as early as possible. The best and stickiest way to predict the future is to co-create it. Community is the pathway to long term success.