90 things I've learned running an agency for 9 years

It'll soon be 9 years.

I founded NerdCow as a 23-year-old. I was completely unaware of the challenge ahead of me. Oblivious to the life of an entrepreneur, I pressed on.

If you asked me, I wouldn't know where to begin describing this journey - what a rollercoaster. But I'm damn sure it's been a series of valuable lessons that I couldn't buy anywhere. I'm thankful for that.

Inspired by a similar list from Alex Price , I'd like to share with you 90 lessons that I've learned in the past 9 years.

I believe they apply to people from all walks of life. These are the ones that I would tell my younger self if I could go back in time.

1. Don't be everything to everyone. Niche down as much as possible.
2. Focus on doing one thing exceptionally well.
3. Don't let the new shiny object syndrome distract you from the meaningful work.
4. There's no overnight success. It's a long-term game, so commit to it or quit.
5. Protect your time at all costs by saying no to anything that doesn't help you.
6. Use a calendar as your to do list. It's night and day.
7. Learn to ask for help, but be careful who you ask.
8. It's OK to show weakness and vulnerability. It's not Suits or Mad Men.
9. Don't blindly follow what others preach. Your circumstances are always unique.
10. Learn to sell as soon as you can. Everything depends on it.
11. Don't pretend. Act normal and attract people who like the real you.
12. Always say the truth, no matter how painful it is.
13. Establish what you want out of the journey and use it as a compass.
14. Don't compare yourself to anyone. No one knows what it's like to be you.
15. It's your business. Run it as you like. There's no right or wrong.
16. Success is subjective.
17. Do what lets you sleep well at night.
18. You don't owe anyone anything, yet people will act like it. Just block them.
19. But also they don't owe you anything, so don't act like they do.
20. Things that you own, own you instead. So, be careful about your investments.
21. Never plan the future when things are good. It's too easy to over commit.
22. Don't bet on the unknowns. Use what you know to plan the future.
23. When things are bad, don't act in haste. Let the thoughts simmer.
24. Never delegate things you're good at.
25. Set the quality standards and let people do their job.
26. When you give the right people full autonomy, beautiful things happen.
27. Avoid hiring interns, apprentices, or juniors in the beginning.
28. Everyone will eventually disappoint you. Such is life.
29. Burning bridges is OK. Some people are just morons and not worth your time.
30. Don't be afraid to pivot. Keep changing the direction until you find the right fit.
31. But remember what you do now, matters in 6 months.
32. Don't subscribe to the grind culture. Set boundaries and stick to them.
33. You're in a trust-building business. Don't think for a second it's something else.
34. Relationships with clients are everything.
35. You exist to serve people, so keep them happy at all times.
36. Hiring is painful, so make sure you do it as rarely as possible.
37. Your most valuable asset can walk out the door anytime.
38. Document everything. Your business is a sum of all processes put together.
39. Build processes for all the work. Stick to them, evaluate them, and improve them.
40. All you need is ￡1 profit. When you're profitable, you're in control.
41. Control your expenses, however small.
42. You can take more punches than you think.
43. Get out of the feast and famine cycle as soon as you can.
44. It's tough and sometimes you'll wish you didn't start it. Wake up.
45. Surround yourself with people who truly care for you. It's crucial when you're down.
46. Be around people you look up to. That makes you a better person.
47. Learn all the time from those who walked the path before you.
48. When you feel like it's too much, take a break and recalibrate.
49. It's all about compounding. Patience, my friend.
50. Running a business is solving problem after problem. So, get ready.
51. Assumptions are dangerous, so be vigilant, ask questions, and understand it.
52. You don't need all of those tools to do the job. Keep it simple, stupid.
53. It's totally fine to fire clients. You do your best job for people you respect and like.
54. There's almost never a life or death situation. Calm down.
55. People don't buy from you because of awards. Most times, these awards are crap.
56. You're as good as your latest project.
57. Keep reinventing yourself to keep it spicy and interesting.
58. Never take part in RPFs. They suck the soul out of you.
59. There's no one else like you, so use that difference to find an audience.
60. Get good at managing expectations.
61. Meet with people beyond the direct contact in the client's team.
62. Market your business in a way that aligns with your values.
63. Always run one short term and one long term marketing strategy.
64. Avoid revenue concentration at all costs.
65. You'll learn about the Murphy's law sooner than you expect.
66. The world gravitates towards chaos, so it's on you to keep it together.
67. Don't think that people in higher ranks are better than you. It's all in your head.
68. You need to assume responsibility for every fuck up. It's always your fault.
69. Your opinion carries weight on your team, so speak carefully.
70. Believe in yourself. That's where it all begins.
71. Stay healthy, so you can keep the business healthy.
72. You can't change the culture of the client's company from the outside, so give it up.
73. You've got little control over the direction of the client's business.
74. The minute you win a client, you start losing them.
75. They'll always doubt the investment in you, so keep delivering value at all times.
76. There's always more to do, but it doesn't mean it needs to be done now.
77. Small but strong is better than large but weak.
78. Treat your agency as a client or you won't ever give yourself enough attention.
79. The most important partnership is with your accountant.
80. Get a bookkeeper ASAP.
81. Momentum is everything. Never let it go.
82. Do the basics right: smile, respect time, be kind. You're already miles ahead of others.
83. When in doubt what to do, ask your clients for feedback. They're in your corner.
84. If you know you're right, then don't cave in under the pressure - even if it's you vs everyone.
85. It helps to have a cause as a business, but it's not the reason people buy from you.
86. Forget about tracking time unless unnecessary. It's a total waste of... time.
87. It's better to have an opinion than to not have it.
88. People want meetings because they can't articulate their thoughts in writing.
89. Don't sell. Help, instead. Good things will come your way.

Bonus: the sooner you stop caring what others think, the better your life will be.