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7 Myths About Starting A Business I Used To Believe

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myths about business
Image Credit | Joel Brown

There are some people who can sell you sand in a desert. I’m not one of those people.

I’m not a natural entrepreneur. I did not set up lemonade stands on summer days as a kid, and I did not sell anything until I hit college.

My dad held the same government job until his retirement.

The fundamentals of business that come so easily to so many entrepreneurs took me months and years to grasp.

Unsurprisingly, I believed a lot of myths about starting a business. These myths kept me from taking the plunge sooner.

Today, I want to dispel some of these myths.

 

Myth #1: You need to be business smart to start

In undergrad, I studied English. Then, because I love being unemployed, I followed that up with a Master’s, also in English.

So when I say I don’t have any business skills, I’m really not kidding around. I can analyze a Shakespeare sonnet, but hand me a business plan and I’ll look dazed and confused.

This is important to remember. Entrepreneurs, like writers, do a lot of myth-making.

There is a pervasive myth that you need to be some sort of entrepreneurial genius to start a business or have an MBA and years of business experience.

The truth: anyone can start a business. Anyone!

To create and transact is as fundamentally human as sketching stick figures on a cave wall or falling in love.

Most of the knowledge you need to start a business is easy to acquire. Much of it can be learned on the job.

I’m not saying that an MBA or years of experience won’t help. They will, But the average person reading this doesn’t need them, at least not at the start.

Business experience is good to have, not a need to have.

Learn to identify between the two. It’ll save you a world of trouble later.

 “If you are the kind of person who is waiting for the right thing to happen, you might wait for a long time. It’s like waiting for all the traffic lights to be green for five miles before starting the trip.” – Robert Kiyosaki

Myth #2: You need a flashy website, office, or business card

No, no you don’t. I got my first two clients without a website.

I straight up emailed them. Something like, “Hey, you don’t know me, but your blog sucks. I’ll make it better.”

I was shocked by how many people responded. I had no website, no references, nothing.

What I had was a willingness to start a conversation. You’ll be surprised how far that can take you.

Even now, my website is just a single page of plain text, nothing fancy. I want to make it bigger and better, but that can wait.  Just like the office and the fancy stationery.

 

Myth #3: You need money to start a business

This is true. Then it’s not. It really depends on your business.

You’re not going to start an airline without cash, but you can start a service business.

Anything small, simple. Something that requires only one investment. That investment is time.

Think about some of the most successful service businesses: building a website, writing a blog post, mowing someone’s lawn, taking care of someone’s pets/kids.

Doing any of these professionally doesn’t require a lot of initial investment. Perhaps a domain name and a web host at most. That’s about $15.

Surely you have $15 to spare?

 

Myth #4: You need to have a lot of contacts to start a business

I stalled starting a business because I was convinced you need to have tons of contacts to start.

But I’m an introvert. Networking is alien to me. I walk into a room and freeze.

So I stopped networking. Instead, I started giving.

I found my first client by giving something away (a slide share presentation, made from one of her blog posts) for free.

I did not ask anything in return, but when she needed someone to help her repurpose her content, she turned to me.

I made my first friends online like this. A couple of these friends turned into clients.

It’s a powerful idea. It isn’t transactional. It doesn’t assume a ROI.

You give something because you feel it will add value to someone’s life. Sometimes, that value will come back to you tenfold. Sometimes it won’t, but that’s the very nature of giving.

“Chase the vision not the money. The money will end up following you.” – Tony Hsieh

Myth #5: Your business needs to be perfect before you launch

You don’t need perfection. It’s a good aim to strive for but it can often be a crutch. A crutch that keeps you from launching.

Forget about perfection. Instead, embrace the pivot.

Right now, as I type this, I have a huge whiteboard in my room filled with business ideas.

Some of these are service ideas. Some of these are product ideas. I won’t work on 95% of them but that doesn’t matter.

What matters is that if business A doesn’t work, I can always pivot to business B, C, D, E, or F.

That’s the good thing about being an entrepreneur. Your first iteration of a business doesn’t have to be its final iteration.

There is tremendous room to change in-between.

In other words, build the business you can build today, not the business you want to build tomorrow.

 

Myth #6: You need to be an expert to start a business

Being an expert is great. It means you have knowledge about a narrow topic. You can often sell this knowledge for cold hard cash.

There is one problem though: becoming an expert requires time. Lots of time.

I’m lazy. I’d rather start a business today than spend years becoming an expert.

So I took the anti-expert route. I figured out what problems people had, then I offered them my help for a fee.

I learned how to solve the problem along the way, or hired someone else to do it.

It’s just a faster way to do things.

7 Myths
 

Myth #7: You need to master branding, positioning, marketing, advertising, accounting, and hiring to start

Before I’d even started a business, I worried about hiring the right people. I wondered where I could find the right people.

Then I wondered whether they would even join my company.

When I got over my hiring worries, I worked myself up into a fit over keeping accounts.

Never mind that I did not even have a business yet, or any revenue.

Before launch, I fretted over branding. I worried if my logo looked good, or if the orange on my site was too bright.

In hindsight, all of these are trivial things. Logos can be changed, accountants can be hired, and people will work for you if you pay well and give them interesting challenges.

 

The only thing you need to do is go out there and build.

What myths are stopping you from building your business?

Puranjay Singh is passionate about helping businesses grow their traffic and revenues through content marketing. He currently runs http://growthpub.com where he helps startups create world-class content for their blogs. You can follow him on Twitter @puranjaycom

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Startups

15 Business Lessons From Napoleon’s Playbook

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Business Lessons and strategies from Napoleon Bonaparte for Entrepreneurs and CEO's
Image Credit | Joel Brown

Unleash your business potential by harnessing Napoleon’s strategic genius.

From dreaming big and thinking bold to moving fast and staying agile, these time-tested tactics are your blueprint for success.

Learn how creative leadership, detailed planning, and relentless execution can transform your business landscape. Boost morale, lead with clarity, and embrace hard work to conquer your industry.

Don’t just survive—thrive with the power of Napoleon’s lessons.

Here are 15 Powerful Lessons You Can Learn From Napoleon Bonaparte

 

1. Dream Big, Think Bold

Napoleon wasn’t just playing small; he believed that “Imagination rules the world.” In the business world, boldness and creativity are game-changers. Don’t just aim to fit in—push boundaries and set ambitious goals that make you stand out.

Think of Steve Jobs, who didn’t just want to make computers; he wanted to revolutionize entire industries. Your vision should be so grand it almost feels unreachable. When you dream big, you inspire those around you to believe in the impossible and work together to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

2. Move Fast, Stay Agile

Napoleon’s quick and secretive moves gave him an edge. In business, you gotta be nimble. Adapt quickly, move fast, and you’ll often find yourself ahead of the game, capturing opportunities your competitors miss.

Companies like Amazon and Tesla thrive because they constantly innovate and pivot when needed. Speed is your friend; it allows you to react to market changes and customer demands faster than the competition, ensuring you remain relevant and ahead of the curve.

3. Creative Leadership

Napoleon thrived on chaos and wasn’t afraid to switch things up. Unlike rigid leaders, he was flexible and adaptive. In business, embrace change and let chaos work for you. Being adaptable can turn unpredictable situations into opportunities.

Think of how Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to a streaming giant. Flexibility and creativity in leadership allow you to navigate through turmoil and emerge stronger, transforming challenges into stepping stones.

 

4. Organize Like a Pro

Napoleon’s mind was like a supercomputer, processing vast amounts of info to make smart moves. Businesses should do the same—stay organized, use real-time data, and adapt strategies based on fresh insights to keep that competitive edge.

Utilize modern tools like CRM systems, analytics software, and AI to manage information efficiently. Staying organized and informed means you can make better decisions, foresee potential issues, and react promptly.

 

5. Keep It Simple

Napoleon knew the power of simplicity. Overcomplicating things can bog you down. In business, streamline processes and focus on what truly matters to hit your goals efficiently.

Apple’s product design philosophy under Jobs was about simplicity and user-friendliness.When you remove unnecessary complexity, you reduce errors, speed up processes, and make it easier for your team to focus on what’s important, driving efficiency and effectiveness.

 

6. Execute Relentlessly

Once Napoleon decided on a course of action, he went all in. In business, once you pick a direction, pursue it with full commitment. Execution is where success is truly made.

Look at how Elon Musk commits to his vision for SpaceX and Tesla. Relentless execution means overcoming obstacles, staying focused on your goals, and not getting distracted by setbacks. It’s the determination and persistence in execution that ultimately leads to triumph.

 

7. Play to Your Strengths

Napoleon only fought battles he knew he could win. In business, focus on your strengths and avoid head-to-head fights in areas where you’re weak. Know your advantages and leverage them.

Microsoft leverages its strength in software development and cloud services rather than trying to compete directly in hardware. Understanding and maximizing your strengths ensures you play a game you can win, using your unique capabilities to outshine competitors.

 

8. Plan in Detail

Napoleon planned for every possible scenario. Businesses should do the same—conduct thorough planning and prepare for various outcomes.

Detailed planning helps you stay ready for anything. Scenario planning and SWOT analysis are tools that can help you foresee different futures and prepare accordingly. When you’re prepared for multiple scenarios, you can adapt smoothly and continue to drive forward, no matter what challenges arise.

 

9. Seize Opportunities

Napoleon saw luck as the ability to capitalize on accidents. In business, be prepared and ready to grab unexpected opportunities. Agility is key.

Companies like Uber and Airbnb seized gaps in the market by being ready to pounce on opportunities when they arose. Always be on the lookout for opportunities, and when they come, don’t hesitate. Preparation and readiness to act quickly can turn unexpected moments into major breakthroughs.

 

10. Learn from the Past

Napoleon studied the greats who came before him. Entrepreneurs should always be learning from the successes and failures of others. History is full of lessons waiting to be applied.

Warren Buffett is famous for studying businesses and market histories. By learning from the past, you can avoid repeating mistakes, understand what works, and build on proven strategies. Continuous learning from history helps refine your strategies and improve decision-making.

 

11. Boost Morale

Napoleon knew how to keep his troops motivated. Business leaders should do the same—keep your team inspired and engaged. High morale leads to high productivity.

Companies like Google and Salesforce invest heavily in employee well-being and motivation. When your team feels valued and motivated, they are more productive, innovative, and loyal. High morale fosters a positive work environment where people are excited to contribute and excel.

 

12. Lead with Clarity

Napoleon believed in the power of a strong, decisive leader. In business, clear direction and strong leadership are crucial. Ensure everyone knows the plan and follows it.

Leaders like Jeff Bezos provide a clear vision and direction, ensuring their teams know what they’re working towards. Clear, decisive leadership aligns your team, fosters trust, and drives coordinated efforts towards achieving your business goals.

 

13. Reflect on Failures

Napoleon analyzed both his wins and losses. Businesses should review their successes and failures to keep improving. Learn from mistakes to avoid repeating them.

Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates emphasizes the importance of learning from failure in his book Principles. By conducting post-mortems, you can understand what went wrong, make necessary adjustments, and continuously refine your strategies to avoid future pitfalls and drive success.

 

14. Action-Oriented

Napoleon was all about turning thoughts into actions. In business, decisiveness and execution are vital. Don’t just plan—act on those plans with energy and determination.

Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson embody this principle by constantly moving from ideas to actions. Action orientation ensures that you don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis but instead drive forward, making things happen and turning visions into reality.

 

15. Embrace Hard Work

Napoleon lived and breathed work, saying, “Work is my element; I am born and built for work.”

In business, a strong work ethic and relentless dedication are key to success. Think of how Howard Schultz rebuilt Starbucks through sheer hard work and determination. Embracing hard work means being willing to put in the necessary effort, staying dedicated to your mission, and continuously pushing towards your goals, no matter the challenges.

 

By implementing these lessons from Napoleon, businesses can sharpen their strategies, strengthen leadership, and execute with precision, driving sustained success.

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Startups

How to Manage Your Startup’s Finances More Efficiently

No matter how groundbreaking your product or service, your startup could quickly be on shaky ground without proper financial management

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managing your startups finances

Running a triumphant startup requires juggling numerous responsibilities. From managing operations and coordinating with team members to developing innovative marketing strategies and nurturing relationships with clients, the to-do list seems endless. (more…)

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Startups

5 Strategic Power Moves to Successfully Build Your Empire

Transitioning from idea to empire is a journey of strategic planning, execution, and constant evolution

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how to build your empire

The journey from a fledgling idea to a thriving empire is both exhilarating and daunting. The Startup Launchpad is not just a process but also a strategic framework that enables visionary entrepreneurs to become market leaders. This framework comprises five power moves, each a critical steppingstone in building a successful business.

These moves—Ideation, Business Plan, Online Presence, Strategic Marketing, and Launch and Growth—are the blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements. (more…)

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Startups

How to Avoid Startup Clichés and Buzzwords When Pitching Investors

Using jargon can make you sound like you’re trying to fill space instead of providing meaningful data

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How to pitch investors better

Entrepreneurs frequently seek startup funding through a variety of channels. Yet, none seem as challenging as successfully pitching to experienced investors. After all, investors are pressed for time and eager for opportunities. These characteristics make it challenging to motivate them, especially if you’re bombarding them with a pitch full of jargon. (more…)

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