Ever thought of becoming an entrepreneur?
Creating a successful business is a long-term journey. It scares many and it keeps few.
Innovating and disrupting current business methods is an exciting, yet terrifying process. It requires strategy, creativity, and courage to establish the right product or service.
Nima Tisdall from Blue Lobster is providing an example of how by facing uncertainty head front, you learn to run and scale a business while forming the right relationships.
In her interview, she shared some of her valuable learnings from being an entrepreneur, challenging the established fishing industry.
1. Your idea should solve the customer’s needs.
Ideas are many, but not all of them truly solve the customer’s needs. Researching what consumers are missing, what can be improved in their daily activity is crucial in developing a functional product. Map out the issues of the customer and see where your idea can take your potential customers.
2. Finding a co-founder is like going into a marriage.
The relationship between founders is key. Constructive communication is the foundation for a solid business. Nima’s number one advice is, to be honest, and lay the ground rules of the relationship. Nevertheless, constructive feedback is vital and important to not being taken personally when building your product.
3. Establish a healthy support system.
Becoming a founder can turn into a lonely process. Finding the people who can support you alongside your entrepreneurial journey can make or break it.
Find an honest critic, who can give constructive feedback.
Find a cheerleader, who can bring your up when challenges arise.
Find a mentor, who can guide you from a distant perspective, with more experience.
4. Build systems that can make you replaceable.
Scaling up, hiring more people, requires you to let go of that little child you proudly raised.
A difficult process, however necessary to make sure your company is growing healthy forward.
Outline those processes you care of, so others can do the same, even better.
! Most importantly, disconnect from the business, so whatever challenge or criticism does not affect you personally.
Remember: There are no bad ideas, just ideas that were never made happen.