Starting and running a business can be stressful, challenging, and financially draining, especially in the beginning. As an entrepreneur, success requires cultivating patience, persistence, and intelligence, along with committing to continuous learning and adapting to ever-evolving innovations.
To thrive, you must not only focus on immediate goals but also envision ways to scale your business in the future. Building a solid foundation in the early stages is critical—it lays the groundwork for creating multiple streams of income, including passive income, which can eventually allow you to enjoy greater flexibility and financial freedom.
In the early days, expect to work harder than ever to establish your business and set it on a path to growth. While this journey requires effort, it also offers invaluable lessons.
Below, I share some of the most important advice I’ve learned through my entrepreneurial experiences. I hope these insights inspire and guide you on your own path to success.
- Everything you do has to be strategic. Create a plan on everything you engage in your business. For example, have a youtube channel plan, tik tok plan, facebook plan, instagram plan etc Everything should have a plan and if the plan doesn't work after a month or two start thinking to re-strategize.As an entrepreneur you have to be creative and make fast and good decision that is what leads us to number 2.
- Learning is a continuous process. You have to always be taking a course or learning tutorial or something on Youtube.Make it a habit to read others' success stories and see what you can learn from them, how these successful billionaires started and how they struggle to the top. I will advise you to learn about your products, marketing, sales, business management. To me it is important as there are so many fake impostors and fake agencies that will tell you how much they know and will instead cause you more harm and focus on your money than your success. Most have never sold anything but are business coaches or run a consulting business. Have an idea of everything so you know if they are taking you to the correct route. When you have basic knowledge it helps as you will not waste money to hire a scammer, waste on money can discourage you to close the business or finances can make you do that. Learning a variety of things will also help you in the future to scale your business and increase sources of income.
- Persistence: Don’t stop or take a week's break when you haven’t reached your goal. Failure is part of the process. Read about other successful entrepreneurs and how they made it. You will learn how they struggle financially, the manufacturing process, knowing their clients etc... .With all these obstacles they never gave up, this will also help you know it happens to everyone before success and will keep you going.
- Don’t focus so much on registering your business, test your business/products first with family and friends, get some sales and then go ahead to register. Also during the first year if you are a starter, forgo a lot and try to reinvest as much as possible so as to better understand the business “Be a slave for a year to gain liberty and build financial freedom to last the rest of your life”. Invest a lot on advertisement as you can have a very good product and many people will not know.
- Your People are your wealth. To try to make friends and create contacts but don’t force them to buy your products, this will scare them away. Let them know your business/produtcs,what you offer but don’t force them to but they might not be your ideal customer but might know someone who needs your product now or in the future and will recommend you.
- Get out of your comfort Zone : Work and study for long hours, Ready to work at odd hours, ready to get dirty…
- Start your business if possible with your savings or raise money from friends and family to start, so if you succeed then get a loan. If you start with a loan and you fail, how will you repay the loan because when you get a loan you need to start paying in a month's time. Use your savings in the start and then when you see success get a loan.
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Think Long-Term: Make Your Business Scalable
From the outset, plan for scalability. Consider how your business can grow and adapt to meet increasing demand in the long run. A scalable business model not only helps you handle future growth but also ensures that your efforts today lay the foundation for sustainable success tomorrow.
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Be Open to Pivoting
Not every business idea will succeed, and that’s okay. If things don’t go as planned with your current business, be willing to pivot. Ask yourself: If this business doesn’t work, what other venture can I pursue? Many successful entrepreneurs started with completely different businesses before finding the one that clicked. Some failed multiple times—five or more—before finally hitting their stride. Persistence and adaptability are key traits of a resilient entrepreneur. -
Create Solutions, Not Just Products
Focus on creating products or services that solve real problems for your customers. It’s not about what you like; it’s about meeting a genuine need in the market. This requires thorough research to understand your target audience, their pain points, and the solutions they’re seeking. Businesses built around solving problems tend to thrive because they provide undeniable value. -
Collaborate and Build Partnerships
Collaboration and partnerships can accelerate your growth, but don’t be discouraged if businesses hesitate to work with you in the beginning. Many established companies may overlook new entrepreneurs, assuming there’s little to gain from a partnership. Keep pushing. As you grow and establish credibility, opportunities for collaboration will come, and those same companies will want to work with you. -
Learn from Mistakes and Keep Moving Forward
Mistakes are inevitable in business, especially in the early stages. When you make a big mistake, don’t dwell on it. Let it rest when you go to bed, and then reflect and strategize with a clear mind the next day. Use every mistake as a learning opportunity to refine your strategies and strengthen your business. -
Invest in Mentorship
When you have the resources, invest in a mentor with real-world experience running a successful business. Avoid relying solely on individuals who have only studied business in school or completed online courses without practical experience. There’s a significant difference between theoretical knowledge and the hands-on wisdom gained from building and managing a thriving enterprise.
Be a Producer, Not Just a Consumer
One of the most important mindsets for an entrepreneur is to think like a producer rather than a consumer. This means creating value, generating ideas, and contributing to the market instead of merely consuming what others produce.
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Build a Producer’s Mindset
Train your mind to focus on producing solutions, innovations, and opportunities. Every day, remind yourself that you are a creator and a contributor. Start each morning with affirmations like, "I am smart, I am a producer, and I create value." This mindset will empower you to think ahead and act decisively. -
Learn Continuously
Mastery in your field comes from continuous learning. Dedicate time to acquiring new knowledge and skills related to your business. Whether it’s through books, online courses, or hands-on experience, the more you learn, the more equipped you’ll be to innovate and grow your business. -
Reinvest in Your Business and education
In the early stages, reinvest most of your earnings back into your work. Whether it’s improving your products, learning (taking a course)enhancing marketing efforts, or scaling operations, every reinvestment brings you closer to sustainable success. Avoid excessive personal spending and prioritize the growth of your business. -
Love Your Work with Passion
Passion is the fuel that keeps you going through challenges. When you love what you do, it becomes easier to dedicate your time, energy, and resources to your business. Your passion will also inspire others—whether it’s your team, customers, or partners—to believe in your vision.
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Be a Fast Thinker
As an entrepreneur, speed and decisiveness are critical. Train yourself to analyze situations quickly, make informed decisions, and adapt as needed. The ability to think on your feet and act promptly can make the difference between success and missed opportunities.
By cultivating the mindset of a producer and committing to continuous improvement, you’ll not only grow your business but also inspire confidence in yourself and those around you. Entrepreneurs who create value and invest passionately in their work are the ones who leave a lasting impact.