Entrepreneurial Motivational Posters, Do We Dare Talk About Them...

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started" ~ Mark Twain

This is one of the quotes that got me started on my entrepreneurial journey.

All I needed to do WAS JUST START...

That easy...

That simple...

The answers will find me as I progress through my journey...

I didn't have to worry about a thing...

So NOT TRUE!

The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step " ~ Lao Tzu

Sound familiar ?

Motivating, definitely in the beginning...

But not at 2 am in the morning when you're awake, stressing because you have creditors beeping on your phone and emails throughout the day...

" If had to advise new entrepreneurs, I would advise them to leave the motivational posts alone and learn the right skill sets...."

If had to advise new entrepreneurs, I would advise them to leave the motivational posts alone and learn the right skill sets.

And no, the top two skill-sets is not

• 1. learning how to pitch to an investor or
• 2. learning how to write a business plan

Haha, Trust me, I did both in the beginning...

Although important, that comes later...

The most important skill sets I would advise any entrepreneur to learn in the beginning is:

1. Learn how to interview customers about problems or aspirations they have

Here's the thing, if you don't build a product or a service around a customers problem or aspiration, you probably won't have any and end up broke. People buy products or services that either solve a problem or help them acquire a level personally or professionally that they wish to be at.

2. Sales

If you are a founder, you are constantly selling. To your customers, to your employees, to you family and friends, to investors, partners. Sales is an essential skill that any founder should have.

3. Digital Marketing

The power of digital marketing is exponential. Your ability to get in front of your customer today, and sell them your product, is much easier and cheaper than it ever was. If you've done point 1 right.

In my opinion, the beginning of every entrepreneurial journey should be about acquiring the right skills, so that you get the best market fit, and are creating products or services that not only your customers love, but also bring you money.

So, ditch the motivational posters would you...

Let your paying customers motivate you instead.