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Startups require more than just checking things off a to-do list. It's important to take risks, test ideas on a smaller scale, and embrace failure. Building a strong network and finding mentors is crucial for success. Treating your venture like a real business from the start is essential. Understand the legal aspects and seek funding from investors who align with your vision. Create a clear elevator pitch and focus on both online and offline marketing. It's about building relationships and trust. Constantly seek new knowledge and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Embrace what makes you unique and use it to your advantage. Okay, so, startups, right, it's that energy that this could be a huge EE feeling when you first get an idea, you know that feeling, right? But how do you actually go from that initial excitement, that spark, to a real business? There's a lot to unpack there, and we got some interesting stuff from you guys about launching a business. We're gonna dive into that today. Go beyond the usual checklist, you know, and figure out what really makes a venture work. Yeah, you hit a nerve there, for sure. I can't tell you how many times I've seen businesses get totally bogged down in just, you know, checking things off a list. They're so busy getting stuff done, they don't even stop to think if they're doing the right thing. Yeah, like that saying, busy being busy, right? And this source actually said that directly, that just having a to-do list, it isn't some magic solution. It reminds me of this study I read about how our brains get a little, like, reward signal, a little dopamine hit every time we check something off a list, you know? So we feel like we're making progress, but is it actually meaningful progress, especially when you're just starting a business? How do we even know what to focus on first? That's where being smart about taking risks comes in. And this source, it really highlighted that well. It's about taking a step back from all that, you know, go, go, go energy and asking, what if we just tested this out first on a smaller scale? Kind of like a pilot program before you launch the whole thing. Right, don't let the farm on something you haven't even tested yet. Makes sense. And that kind of leads into another point this source made that I think trips up a lot of entrepreneurs. It's that fear of messing up. You know, they talk about embracing failure, which sounds kind of strange at first. What do you think of that? Funny, isn't it? Like, we're programmed to avoid mistakes no matter what. But when you think about it, some of the most successful companies out there, they didn't just nail it on the first try. They took those early mistakes, those stumbles, and they learned from them. They used it to get better. So it's not about, like, never making a mistake. That's impossible, right? It's about how you react when you hit those bumps in the road. Because you're going to hit them, right? Exactly. It's about changing your mindset. Instead of, oh no, did I make a mistake? Okay, what can I learn from this? And that actually takes us to something super important that this source mentioned, your network. You give the best idea ever, right? But if you don't have support, guidance, a community to turn to, it can be really tough to get through those early stages, especially when you hit those inevitable bumps we were just talking about. Yeah, speaking of learning from the best, the source talked about finding mentors, joining groups. But honestly, sometimes networking just feels like a chore, you know? Especially for people who are more introverted or new to this whole world. How do you actually build those connections, the genuine kind, that go beyond just, like, trading business cards at some event? I mean, where do you even start? It's about finding your people, you know? People who get it, the ups and downs of actually building something new. I always tell people, look for communities that fit with what you believe in, what your industry is, even, like, your personality. So not just any group, but one where you can really connect, really learn from each other. That makes sense. This source also talked about how important it is to treat your venture, you know, like a real business right from the start. Seems obvious, but I bet that's harder than it sounds when you're just getting going, you know? Especially if you're coming from a more, like, freelance background, or you're just driven by passion. What are some of the mistakes you see people making there? Oh, yeah. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new project, you know, and let some of those basic business things slide, especially at the beginning. But this source is right. Having that structure is so important if you want to be successful long-term. It's almost like a mental shift, you know, from being a freelancer at your kitchen table to, okay, I'm a CEO now, I need to make strategic decisions. Yeah, which can be a big jump. Any advice for making that transition a little less intimidating? Absolutely. This source had some good tips. First off, get your finances in order right. Keep your business and personal expenses totally separate. Track everything. And I mean everything. Every dollar in, every dollar out. Find a system that works for you. There are tons of apps for that now, which makes tax season way less painful, and it lets you see exactly where you stand financially. It's true. You can't make good decisions about the future if you don't know, like, what's happening in the present with your business. Exactly. And speaking of smart decisions, this source also said to make sure you really understand, like, the legal stuff, the regulations in your industry. It's not the most fun part of starting a business, but it's so important. For sure. The last thing you want is to hit a wall later on because you missed some crucial rule or permit. Exactly. Now, this next part is interesting, especially for startups that, you know, want to grow quickly. Seeking investment, getting funding. It's part of the game for a lot of businesses. And this source had some really good advice about how to deal with that world. Yeah, they talked about really understanding, like, the world of investors. It's not just a matter of finding anyone with money, right? Right. Every investor is different. They have different levels of risk. They're okay with, you know, different areas they focus on. Like, you wouldn't pitch a social impact investor the same way you'd pitch someone who's all about AI technology. It just wouldn't make sense. It's about doing your research then, right? Finding the investors who match up with your goals, your vision for the business, even what stage you're at right now. Yes, and then being able to explain that vision in a way that's clear and concise. This source mentioned having a really strong elevator pitch ready to go. It's like, how do you boil your entire business down to the most important points? Yeah, that aha moment for the investor. Exactly. Imagine you've got, like, 30 seconds to convince someone to invest in your dream. What do you say? That's your elevator pitch. That's actually a great exercise. It forces you to get really clear on what makes your business valuable. This source also talked about visibility in marketing, which makes sense. Even if you have an amazing product or service, if nobody knows about it, it doesn't matter. Exactly, and I like that they didn't just focus on the digital stuff, though that's obviously huge now. They said it's about finding a balance, recognizing that word of mouth, referrals, those personal connections, they're just as important as a fancy website or a perfect Instagram. It's about being authentic, both online and offline, and making sure those two worlds, they work together, right? Yeah. Because these days, if someone hears about your business, what's the first thing they're gonna do? They're gonna look you up online. You got it. That first impression is everything. But here's the thing, and this takes us back to networking. Building a strong presence online. It's not just about how things look or broadcasting a message. It's about creating a community, really engaging with your audience, building that trust. It really is all about building those relationships, isn't it? It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. It's all about building that trust. And if you aren't learning, if you aren't adapting all the time, you're gonna get left behind. Okay, so how do you actually do that? How do you stay ahead of the curve, besides listening to podcasts like this one, of course? Well, there you go. But really, you have to actively look for new knowledge. Read everything in your industry, go to conferences, take those online courses. You know, even just talking to people who are outside your usual bubble, that can be huge. You just never know where that next great idea is gonna come from. It's like they say, comfortable with being uncomfortable, right? Sometimes you have to push yourself, challenge what you think you know. That's how you grow. 100%, and you know what? It goes back to what we were talking about before, about taking risks and seeing failure as a way to learn. If you're not trying new things, if you aren't okay with messing up sometimes, you're not really pushing yourself, are you? That's a really good point. So as we wrap up this deep dive on startups, I wanna leave everyone with something to think about. What's one skill, one area of knowledge that you wouldn't expect that that could really give you an edge in your business? Maybe it's a hobby you love, something you're passionate about, a fascination with art or history. It could even just be that you're really good with people that you make connections easily. That's it. Think about what makes you unique, what you bring to the table that no one else does. What's that like secret ingredient, that unexpected spice that's gonna make you stand out? That's how you take a good idea and turn it into something truly special. That's how you go from a good idea to something that really shakes things up. Well, that's it for our deep dive into the world of startups. Thanks for joining us. Remember, it's not always easy going from that first spark of an idea to a successful business, but it is possible. You just need a little courage, a willingness to learn, and maybe some advice from people who've been there. You've got this.