Everyone’s style of building a business is different. You may fall into two categories: the builder or the planner. The people who are builders tend to build the ship while flying it. The planners like to have everything laid out in front of them. Building as you grow can allow you to adjust as needed and adapt quickly. Planners want everything set up and usually stay within the plan. Knowing the type of person you are and what will work for you is essential. Builders move quickly but may bumble along the way. Planners may miss things that will help them succeed.

When working with a team, know how your team works. With a team in place, you can allow them to do the work that will enable you to grow and scale. Building a business with a team is a lesson you must learn as you go. It may be a slow process, and it takes time to gel with the team, especially when you start with a new group. It takes time to understand how the team works, so let them marinate. 

When you understand your strengths and weaknesses, you will know how the team can help you succeed. When you are vulnerable and declare your weaknesses, your team will help. Use their strengths to help you. Be clear when you ask for help. Know what you are going to pay. Compensate people for their time. Even if they are your friends, it is only fair that you pay them. 

Starting a business takes work and costs money. Businesses grow in phases. Phase one may go differently than planned, but phase two may run more smoothly. We are building the ship while flying the plane. You must be comfortable with imperfection; if you aren’t, it can freeze you. A business grows in phases, and each step is a learning process.

Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. They can bring their thoughts and skills. They may teach you something you don’t know and may not like, but it may be suitable for your business and the others around you. People may work differently than you want them to, so be able to adjust. 

Failing forward helps you know what to say yes to, what to say no to, and what to say; let’s do that later. Know that failing forward allows you to keep moving forward. Just because you have a seat doesn’t mean you have to speak. There is no success without the community.

When you are building something, find your target audience. If you fail, adjust, and figure out what you did wrong, fix it, and move forward. Refrain from confusing support with sales. While it’s great to be supported, sales are essential. Learn not to take business personally. There are different support methods besides sales if you prefer something else to the product, and you can ask them to share it with others that do.

Key Points/Highlights:

• Failing forward can lead to success.
• Know your team and how they work.
• Know your strengths and weaknesses and lean on your team to help you.
• When something isn’t working, be open to changing it.
• Compensate people for their time even if they are a friend.