Learnings From Starting My Own Small Business

Over the past few years, I have started and built my own business. Here are the key lessons I have learned along the way that I would share with anyone who is looking to start their own business.

You need to be sure

I don’t mean sure of success, but sure that this is something you want to do. It will test you, even when things go well. There are moments along the journey when you will need to make decisions that you don’t want to; sacrifices you hadn’t intended; and mistakes that set you back. Each time you have these moments, it is going to be your determination that gets you through, so you need to be 100% committed.

Doing what you love

Starting something you are passionate about and enjoy doing will not make it seem like you are not working. In fact, my experience and belief is that if you do what you love, you will work harder than you ever have, because you care. It is still work, but it is work that you love to do.

It takes longer than you think

Even when you have a clear service offering and experience in what you do, every step in building your business seems to take longer than what you think it should. It takes time to build trust and reputation, but in staying the course you are laying strong foundations for the future of your business.

You learn more than you think possible

I have heard that rather than doing an MBA, start a small business because you’ll learn more (in fact, both would be great). The knowledge you gain along the way is amazing. As you need to be across each function of the business and problem that arises, you have the opportunity to learn so much about areas that you would not normally experience as an employee. Plus, you also learn so much about yourself and have the opportunity for a large amount of personal growth along the way.

It will be lonely

Even when you have staff, and your family is supportive of you starting a business, there are days that are lonely. When something has gone wrong, and even when something has gone right, it can come down to you getting the job done. And as it is your dream, it can come down to you walking some of the path alone to get it to where you want to be.

It is worth it

For me, the journey has a long way to go, but I can tell you now it is worth it. And it is many little things that all wrap together when you take a moment to contemplate.

Part of it is simply having a go.

Of being able to tell your kids they can do whatever they set their minds to and to be that example they can see.

Another part is building something that wasn’t there before. Something that might make a difference.

And a large part is the people you meet along the way. Both your customers and your staff that are so much a part of the journey.

So if you are looking to start your own business, my advice is that it will be one of the hardest things you have ever done. But if you can stick with it, it can also be one of the most rewarding things you can do.