The biggest secret to running a successful business: there’s no secret at all. No hack, charm or spell will guarantee success. When it comes to learning tricks of the trade, your best bet is to go with what works best for you. In the long run, that’s what’s going to make your business just as unique as you are.
With that being said, everyone needs a place to start. So read on for some entrepreneurial inspo to get the ball rolling!
1. You can turn any idea into a vision
Every great company started with an idea. We’re talking about that initial “What if we did ____?” or “What if we could create ____?” phase. The main difference between companies that thrive and those that fizzle is building a strong foundation with a solid mission.
If you find yourself thinking, “Oh, that’s not a great idea,” or, “That won’t work,” ask yourself, “What’s making me think this way?” Is it because you’re afraid it won’t work? Or is it because you don’t know how it will work? When you’re ideating, try not to get ahead of yourself. Of course, it’s important to keep the future in mind, but right now, your job is to translate your ideas into a tangible vision. Over time, you’ll be able to piece it together step-by-step—but don’t be afraid to dream a little when you’re first starting out.
2. It’s not all glitz and glamor
Many people think owning a business is nothing but flex time, schmoozing and networking at fancy cocktail parties. But, while we fully support a good schmooze over a glass of bubbly, entrepreneurship isn’t always what it looks like in the movies. The road between getting started and finding “success” (however you define it) is a long one.
Odds are, you’ll need to work long hours and wear countless hats: administrative, marketing, sales, support, and so on. Eventually, you’ll be able to bring on team members to help you out—but at the beginning, it’s all up to you. Even if you’re lucky, and you’re starting your business with others who already have these talents, you’ll still need to put in some elbow grease to get to the next level. So don’t shy away from hard work; it’s what keeps the boat moving forward!
3. Time is valuable; use it wisely
If there’s one thing every entrepreneur needs to be good at, it’s figuring out how to be efficient at work. Working day in and day out does absolutely nothing if you’re not being productive during that time—and that means you have to work smarter, not harder.
Having trouble staying productive is extremely common, especially when you’re trying to be (or do) everything at once. This is where productivity software comes in. Bloom Growth is specifically designed to keep your to-dos, meetings and measurables organized and connected, letting you move between tasks quickly while staying on top of your day. Plus, who doesn’t love running efficient meetings?
4. Trusting others is necessary for growth
No one has gotten anywhere on their own. One of the biggest misconceptions in business is that executives have made it to the top because they’re intangibly superior to everyone else. The truth is, they actually *need* everyone else to make it there in the first place.
To grow, you need to trust your team. And to trust your team, you need a clear line of sight into everyone’s role—and that’s exactly what the Org Chart is made for.
5. Mountains exist to be climbed
Okay, technically, mountains exist because of tectonic plates in the earth’s crust. But as far as metaphorical standards are concerned, they exist to be conquered by those who dare to do so.
When you have an idea, vision and plan for a company you know needs to exist, you need to persevere no matter the obstacles. Prepare to face these challenges head-on, and don’t be afraid to have the tough conversations necessary to make it past the biggest challenges. We promise it’ll be worth it when you reach the summit.
6. Passion is key
At the end of the day, you can be the most productive, resourceful and ambitious person in the room, but nothing you do will hold any weight if you’re not passionate about it.
Important note: this doesn’t mean that every task you complete will be wildly fun. The smaller, more tedious tasks are often some of the most important. What we mean is that the items on your (sometimes seemingly endless) to-do list are seen not as monotonous, but rather a means to reach your goals. Once you find that thing that lights you up most, run with it!