What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs struggling to get their business off the ground?
Ask for help!
My advice would be to enlist your friends, mentors, and other supporters in helping you find a path to launch/grow your business. One of the most amazing things about starting a company is how willing people are to help entrepreneurs. You just have to ask!
Guatam Gupta, Founder, Naturebox
Take advice, never compromise and don’t forget to step back!
Nona: Take advice and critiques from others openly, but never compromise what you are trying to accomplish or what you believe in. It’s okay to rely on others when they offer their help, but make sure that you are ultimately in control of your business. And remember that saying “No” is an artform. Perfect that artform, use it and don’t get in over your head by saying “Yes” all the time.
Kylie: Learn how to prioritize but know when to step back. Sometimes, if you get over-involved with something, you forget what it’s really about. Letting your ego take over is the absolute worst thing that can happen, and if you can sense that tension, pull back. Just taking a break from work occasionally is all I need to clear my head.
Kylie Thompson and Nona Raybern, Co-founders, Daily of the Day
Remember: it’s a bumpy ride.
Things are going to be bumpy. “Bumpy” is actually the understatement of the century. The number of times I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry during that first year or year and a half, I can’t even say. I made so many mistakes, many of which I were positive were going to be the end of my business. Surround yourself with the right people who can help you in those kinds of troubled times, and you should be able to steer your way out of it.
Justin Beegel, Founder, Infographic World
Use free stuff.
Make use of all the great free programs out there. We do so much of our work with Google Docs and we always use Skype to keep in touch with our off-site team members. You can’t afford to be stingy all the time because you do get what you pay for, but there are new services being offered every day if you know where to look. Make use of them.
