17 things I learned from being a startup

Feb. 18, 2015 - PRLog -- Being the founder and Editor In Chief for www.muglatte.com (an online magazine) and with all the ups and downs I’ve been through for the last 7 months, I surely have learned 17 lessons from being a startup and I definitely would like to share those lessons with other startups out there so here is what I’ve learned:

Know your ethics and keep them! Yup because it is so easy and tempting at some points to trade your ethics for success. Whether it is the way you manage your co-workers or with competitors, never lose your ethics for anything.
Always think of the community. Always keep the community in mind and try somehow to change it to the better with your startup whatever your field is. Don’t provide products or services just for the sake of money even if deep inside you know they are of harm to the community. Also be helpful to your fellow startups from day one and try to give others the help maybe no one was there to give you.
Don’t depend very much on your friends opinions! Because friends most probably would be shy to point out the negative things they might notice so they might tell you everything is just “great”. Also, they might not be in the field and might not understand the basis they should build their opinion on. In General friends tend to compliment you and encourage you rather than point out the negative things.
Read…Read and READ! Read as much as you can books or surf the internet for topics related to your startup and dedicate some time to read things that are not related to your field. Reading will help you come up with new ideas and be innovative. Also, if you are starting your own website please take the time to read the “About” page of your competitors and do some research on it, it is well worth the effort.
Nothing comes easy. If you start your business expecting to be successful , you will get tired too early. The trip to success is long and needs plenty of hard work and this is how every successful person you see around you did it, no shortcuts.
Sometimes we win… sometimes we learn. There are no losses only lessons. But that also means you need to think every time you are not successful why did this happen, not to mourn the loss but to learn new lessons.
Never mind people who underestimate you. And you will be underestimated for sure. Be it your parents, your friends, competitors or investors, expect to be underestimated but ignore that.
Don’t underestimate others. Well, ethically speaking; if you don’t like being underestimated don’t do the same for others. But in business terms don’t underestimate other ideas or competitors… you never know.
Skip negative people. Whether you will meet them in your own team or maybe from the surrounding community you will always meet those people who tell you “this is impossible” or “it’s a bad idea” or whatever negativity they can diffuse into your mind! Avoid discussing business with them or just skip them entirely if they are part of your team.
The sky is the limit. You can do anything if you want. Know that very well and believe in yourself.
Know your competitors very well. Learn all you can about them, their expertise, how they started their business and how and why they are successful.
Act professional. Don’t manage your business the same way you deal with family and friends issues! Instead you should be professional, stick to deadlines, if you give a word on something keep it, don’t be late for business meetings, admit and apologize for mistakes and don’t add potential customers or business partners to your Facebook profile!
Don’t talk about others. Don’t get involved in a discussion about people or competitors in harmful ways you never know where your “comments” might end up.
Protect your reputation. Don’t’ be rude in public or on the internet. Don’t commit mistakes and deny them. Always be nice to people and be known for commitment. Of course this advice is not only for your business or career it is important for your life in general. And the best way to do this is to remain “mute” online as much as possible.
Enjoy the hard times. Being a startup is not easy. You will have to deal with a lot of stress in your life. Enjoy the time by humor and companionship. What is life if you don’t take risks?
Never give up! Keep energetic and passionate or as some people says it “always start up”.
Luck favors the prepared. So Always keep yourself ready for any chance that might popup.


Sarah Taher

Founder and Editor In Chief @ www.muglatte.com (http://www.wamda.com/sarahtaher/2015/01/www.muglatte.com)

photo credit: Bigstock