7 things I have learnt since quitting my corporate job 7 years ago
1. Know your worth and add tax
We have all seen this meme before, but it is vital to value your time and know exactly how much it is worth. There is always someone that wants a discount, just like there is always someone prepared to give a discount. Reducing prices is a race to the bottom and a sure fire way to make your business fail.
2. Trust your instincts
You need to have belief in yourself and your skills. Entrepreneurship is a roller coaster and somedays (or everyday if you are a soloprenuer) you have no choice but to trust your instinct
3. Make quick decisions
Richard Branson says say yes work it out later - this has been pivotal in all of my businesses. Being able to pounce on opportunities because you have been able to work out a solution quickly or have been the first to reply to an email or a shout out will win you more clients than I care to really let you know. The opposite is also true, replying to emails late or worse not at all will not help you grow your business.
4. Have fun
Being an entrepreneur can be super hard, you’re responsible for everything whether it’s taking out the bin, paying staff, managing contracts, winning clients or delivering work the to do list can sometimes never end, so it is important to make time for fun. Whether it be dancing in the house to your favourite song or a night on the town with cocktails and the girls.....just make sure you’re doing something. Ideally once a week.
5. Invest in great mentors
If you want to do something they you have never done before, you need to be learning from someone that has already been there. This can be listening to podcasts, reading books, joining masterminds or taking courses - the options are endless and there really is no excuse any more. Starting and growing a business has its challenges but working through them with a mentor, make them manageable. Find someone you love, be honest with them about where you are at, listen to their advice, implement and know that choosing to work with a mentor will benefit you a lot longer than the relationship lasts.
6. Admit your mistakes
To be a great entrepreneur and leader you need to be prepared to be honest. Being the example and taking ownership for your mistakes is going to create a culture for others to do the same and promote growth. Everyone makes mistakes, we are all human but it is how you handle them that will define you and your business.
7. You are stronger than you realise
The biggest lesson that I have learnt in the last 7 years is that I am stronger, smarter, more intuitive and more resilient than I ever thought possible. It is absolutely amazing what you can do, when you have no one else to rely on. It is amazing what you can create when you have no rules, what you can build when there are no restrictions and what you can bounce back from when you are turning your passion in to a profit.
Becoming an entrepreneur has been one of the most empowering decisions that I have made in my life and I fully recommend others to do the same.