Entrepreneurs jumping into the startup world should seriously consideration of its potential pros and cons. Having a realistic understanding of how you will be able to cultivate success, build a strong team, and prevent unexpected failure are just a few things that should be addressed before making the big startup leap. One of the best ways to prepare for entrepreneurship and all of its surprises is to look to the advice of successful entrepreneurs. From Ford to FourSquare, we have a list of great founder quotes followed by straightforward advice to help you in starting your own business.
“No one gives a damn about the size of your to-do list.” – Ryan Freitas | Co-Founder, About.Me
So you have a laundry list of great things you want to do with your company saved on your iPhone? Congratulations. S0 do a bucketful of other entrepreneurs. Only problem is, that list of yours is nothing more than a bunch of “wants” and “will-do’s” and it means nothing until you take action. Telling people you want to: (1) Acquire ‘X’ number of investors, (2) Open an office in San Francisco, (3) Attend the nation’s premier startup conference, etc. are great but they are just goals until you actually do them. People only begin to care about what you and your company want to do when you actuallydo it. Paper with your scribbles of your aspirations won’t garner attention, action will. Until your goals leave your list, the only person who will care about them, will be you.
“Don’t find fault, find a remedy. Anybody can complain.” Henry Ford | Founder, Ford
So many people know how to point out a problem, to the degree that it could become a skill people list on LinkedIn. Thankfully, we’re not there yet. Everyone knows how to spot a problem, very few know how to fix it. To be a successful startup, you must be able to recognize a situation that needs fixing and correct it. It is from the desire to create a solution where great ideas and companies arise. All it takes is one solution to create a wave of business opportunities. A great example of this can be seen in a previous post about the startup Zumper. The tech group saw consumers having a difficult time finding an apartment and created a website to make it easier for people to find a new home. Problem found, business created, and problem solved.
“Do what you love and the rest will come.” Dennis Crowley | Co-Founder, Foursquare
When you work on something that you love and devote significant energy to the project, everything that follows will generally align accordingly. When you do what you love, you work with a passion to create a product or a service that people will love as much as you. The effort you put into work that you enjoy creating shows and everything falls into place—to some degree of course.
“The key to getting a reputation for being brilliant is actually being brilliant, not just acting like you are.” Seth Godin | Founder, Squidoo
As an entrepreneur, common goals are to have a reputation of being an innovator in your industry or that your company’s reputation is seen as essential to consumer’s lives. To go into business with the goal of anything less would be a waste of time. So you set out to gain the status of a brilliant entrepreneur with remarkable products. Easier said than done, right? In order be viewed as authentically brilliant, you must move past the old adage of “fake it until you make it” and simply be amazing at whatever you do. This requires you to work hard, think strategically, and to listen to your audience, in order to provide the best products and satisfy your customers. By doing so, you will create a company that people respect and ultimately consider smart. And who wouldn’t want that?
It may be easier to read than it is to implement, but here you have four straight to the point quotes to assist you in your startup endeavors. Completing goals on your to-do list, solving problems, doing what you love, and establishing a great reputation are just a few of the things you need to do in order to create a successful startup.
