5 lessons I learned from launching my new business last week

Last week I launched my new website www.theresourcelist.com. It’s an idea that I’ve had for several months now. It came from working with my awesome clients who are mostly startups and small businesses. In my role as a marketing consultant, I’m constantly asked questions like who I recommend for web hosting, or what email service provider would best suit their needs, which got my wheels turning, and I realised that something like The Resource List would be super-helpful not just for my clients, but also for other freelancers and startups.

As a lifelong deal lover(!), a feature that is super important to me is that we also list all of the special offers that these tools are running, so you can be sure you’re getting the best possible price on any tool they invest in.

So here’s 5 things I’ve learnt about launching my new business that might be helpful for someone else:

1. Just do it ???? - I kept putting the launch date off because I kept tweaking and adding to the site. I wanted it to be “perfect”, when in reality there is no such thing. Reid Hoffman, the LinkedIn co-founder once said “If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late.” This is so true, and in the end - I launched. Yes, there are things that I need to tweak, but the feedback that I’ve received has been super positive. 
2. The juggle is real ???? - as a wife, a working mum of three gorgeous kids and still working with my clients, the last few months have been intense! I’ve had to learn to say “no” a whole lot more which has not been easy, but it’s been essential. 
3. If you come from a place of service, you’ve got a great start ?? - in my tired moments, the thing that would keep me going is how useful The Resource List would be. I really had to know my “why” to push through the tough moments, when it would have been far easier to stop.
4. Don’t compare your day 1, to someone else’s day 100 ?- I had to keep reminding myself that everyone starts from zero. It can be slightly daunting looking around at all of the other successful businesses that are already established, but I truly believe this world is big enough for more great ideas. For ideas that serve people, and add value. I chose an abundance mindset, over a scarcity one - and it’s truly liberating.
5. Get motivated and then take action ??- I LOVE to read business books and listen to podcasts on business and entrepreneurship, and I find it so easy to get stuck in consuming content, and learning “just one more new skill”. I’ve realised there’s a time to consume, and then there’s a time to stop and act. I heard it called “just in time” learning where you learn what you need for that moment, and no more. 

So that’s it… I hope this is helpful to someone. I really want to encourage you that if you have an idea you’ve been sitting on...give it a go. 2020 is fast approaching, and it’s a beautiful blank canvas...