“You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great”

The 6 Smart Things I Did When Started My Own Company

Finally, after years of salary days, one day with all my ‘courage’, I decided to quit my job. My boss did try to cross me by saying, “I will make sure you don’t find a job now”. But the truth was that I wasn’t really interested in finding one because I had already made my mind to set my own business.

Today I am a happy entrepreneur running a successful company - ProofHub (a project management solution for teams of all size). However, the point here is that it took me great courage to lead this entrepreneurial journey. If I let my comfort and fear to dominate, I’d been sitting in the same cubicle as I was years ago.

"Want to become an entrepreneur who gets things done? Switch to ProofHub and manage work."

This post is for all of you with big-sized goals but little courage. Walking away from a constant paycheck can be challenging at first. So, here I felt sharing what I did during my struggle phase of starting a company. I have compiled a few points below, which were a boon to me and are must-haves for the success during your entrepreneurial journey in my opinion.

1. The Mindset of a True Leader

Starting your company/business is all about being a great leader. I think we all have within us the potential to be a great leader - it all starts and ends with mindset. I made sure to be on my way to the greatness of a true leader be making sure to be one - who opens the door for others, gives people wings to fly, believes in others, knows the importance of positivity and encourage others to share their thoughts.

2. Smart Advice From ‘Nike’

If something Nike is really good at it is its storytelling. Keeping in mind their marketing strategy of selling more than a product; selling aspiration, I started with my marketing campaigns of ProofHub. Nike’s ads rarely, ever, mention their products at all. They induce emotion in the consumer through ‘emotional branding’. I learned how the platform worked. Nike ad is meant to inspire — to tell us that we can do anything if we just try.

3. Empathy is Your Greatest Asset

As a leader and entrepreneur, empathy should be your greatest asset. I learned this from my father. I’ve seen my father growing well in his business and always telling me, “Sandeep, I have always made sure people in my factory, don’t work for me, they work with me.” Since then, I could sense empathy in his voice. I borrowed many things from my father like pat the people on the back whenever you meet them. These little things matter the most when you’re starting with your business. Thus, it’s important to motivate, encourage, and guide those around us.

4. Connect with Customers and Partners

I’ve always paid attention to the best business advice from many of the world’s top entrepreneurs. For a successful business, never underestimate the value of a loyal, repeat customers. I always tried to build up an emotional bond with them, which is possible through true inspiration and a good brand message. For example, social media is a great way to connect with your customers if done smartly. Keep customers coming back for more, bringing along their friends with them.

5. See The Forest For The Trees

Running a business is being enthusiastic to see your business both at the micro level and the macro level. Carefully examine the big picture and the individual pieces that are a part of your business. I had a tough time taking myself out of every detail of checking what is coming in and what is going out. As I started pulling myself out of daily tasks, I could make the changes that propelled my company forward. Getting lost in the details make it so overwhelming that you forget to look at the big picture.

6. Practice Mindfulness

When I started with ProofHub, it was quite distracting to figure out how to grow. It was difficult to know where to start or where to focus the efforts. As a growing leader of the pack, it is important to have your path sorted. And mindfulness is one ideal way. People relate mindfulness with a spiritual journey, but it is all about being peaceful and aware of the present moment.

It helps you to take better control of things around you without missing the important part.

7. Wear Your Scars as Badges of Honor

Your failure is a badge of honor. This is to follow the whole of your life. Whether you’re starting new or has already started. Remember no one is perfect. Put yourselves into more and more uncomfortable situations because that is when you’ll measure your real growth. Instead of hiding your scars, wear those scars as badges of honor like golden medals. With them, you’ll be strong, tall and proud, like a weather-beaten oak tree.

Just remember your entrepreneurial journey depends upon how you carry it forward. Look ahead in the mirror every day and speak, “I have the courage to endure as an entrepreneur”. You’ll come across peaks and valleys but never ever, let your courage drop.

Good Luck!

About Author:

Sandeep Kashyap is the Founder and CEO of ProofHub — a leading project management and collaboration software. He’s one person always on a lookout for innovative ideas about filling the communication gap between groups, teams, and organizations. You’ll find him saying, “Let’s go!” instead of “Go!” many times a day. That’s what makes him write about leadership in a way people are inspired to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.

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