How To Get Started When You're Just Starting Your Business

"How do you get started when you're just starting out?"

This question was posed to Brendan (my fiance') and me when we guest-lectured together at an undergrad entrepreneurship class in Hawaii.

It had me reflecting back on my start 14+ years ago and some of the things that profoundly shaped my direction:

1. Reverse/co-mentorship: While I felt I had little to offer, I built relationships with people who were much further along and who were looking for perspective and tools that I had more knowledge about/experience with/proximity to. They'd also share their tips with me.

2. Support and traditional mentorship from people who had expertise in the fields about which I had little. (Specifically, at that time, which was about business finance).

3. Borrow confidence: Look for evidence to support the story you are creating (not the one you fear). Meaning: Who is sharing/has shared with you kind and uplifting sentiments about you that you can use to carry you a bit until you build that confidence for yourself?

4. Create a hype file: Using those kind sentiments (emails, texts, conversations, testimonials, etc) create a folder in your phone where you store these nice things so when you need a pick-me-up (or to share a testimonial for your marketing), you have it on hand.

5. Start: I can't emphasize this enough--  don't wait until you feel everything is 'perfected' or you feel 100% 'ready'. Those are safe places behind which to hide. You'll find yourself there much longer than you need to be. Remember that most things that you do with ease today used to take effort (speaking, typing, writing, etc). Find one small first step you can take. Then one more. Then one more.

6. Community: Find a group of people (separately or in an organized environment) who share your values and are on a similar path. Let them help you with resources, idea-sharing, and support.

Bonus: Every single one of these concepts will be advantageous to you no matter the stage of your business or growth because, at each new level, there are new things to learn and execute.

Do any of these speak to you?