3 Lessons I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Business

I’ve made tons of mistakes in my life as a business owner. But let me tell you… These three lessons hit DIFFERENT.? If I’d known them sooner, I would’ve saved myself a lot of time, money, and stress.?

So if you want to avoid the mistakes I made… keep reading because these three lessons might just save your business (and your sanity).

?? 1: Surround Yourself with Smarter People

Ever heard the phrase, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with”??

When I first started, I was all about doing things my way. I liked being the smartest person in the room. I thought I didn’t need anyone else’s input because, honestly, I was confident (okay, maybe a little too confident) that I had everything under control.

Then I came across Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. It talks about the concept of a “mastermind”, a group of people who are smarter and more skilled than you in different areas. At first, I shrugged it off. I mean, I was doing fine on my own, right?

Wrong.

Once I finally embraced the idea of surrounding myself with smarter people, everything changed. I started making more money, and I wasn’t burning out anymore. Suddenly, business became more enjoyable because I wasn’t the only one solving problems, I had a team of experts helping me grow.

So, can you succeed without a team of smarter people around you? Maybe. But why make it harder than it needs to be?

?? 2: Pay Down Your “Ignorance Tax”

Let’s talk about the “ignorance tax.” What’s that, you ask? It’s the price you pay for ignoring good advice or for dismissing strategies that could actually work for you. And trust me, I’ve paid this tax more times than I’d like to admit.

Here’s the scenario: someone who’s more successful than you shares a strategy, maybe it’s a new sales funnel or a marketing tactic, and you think, “That won’t work for me.” So, you don’t even bother trying.

But here’s the thing: if they’re more successful, maybe there’s something to what they’re saying.

I used to brush off advice because it seemed too complicated or because I thought I had a better way. And that cost me. Time, money, opportunities, all down the drain.

You can avoid paying the ignorance tax by being open to learning from others, especially those who’ve been there. It might not be the easy route, but it’s the smarter one.

?? 3: Hire Slow, Fire Fast

In the early days, I was desperate to grow my business, so I hired fast and fired slowly. I figured if someone wasn’t performing, I could train them up, give them time, and they’d eventually get there. But here’s the truth: not everyone will.

Hiring fast without taking the time to find the right fit? Big mistake. Keeping people around who aren’t pulling their weight? Even bigger mistake.

It wasn’t until I started hiring slowly and firing fast that my business really began to thrive. It’s not just about saving your business, it’s about respecting their time, too. They could be doing something they’re actually good at instead of struggling in a role that’s not right for them.

So, should you rush to hire and then hang on to people hoping they’ll improve? I wouldn’t recommend it. Hire slow, fire fast, and watch how your business transforms.

Is This the Secret to Business Success?

These three lessons could have saved me a ton of trouble when I was just starting out. And if you’re building a business, take these to heart. They might just save you from some of the mistakes I made.

?? P.S. Which of the strategies I just shared will be most helpful to your business right now? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you.

Until next time, keep pushing, keep growing, and most importantly, keep learning.

Cheers, Jaiden.?