Congratulations! You've discovered a valuable solution, developed a mission with purpose, implemented a business plan, and now you are running a successful startup. This is no small feat considering the failure rate of most new endeavors, but another daunting statistic is the crash of established companies. In order to keep your company afloat, as well as grow and flourish, below are a few key tips to keep in mind, which I've discovered working for the startup, Consero Group.
1. Don't Get Lazy.
You've tasted sweet success, but it is certainly not time to get comfortable. New ideas and projects are extremely necessary to help the business grow, as well as to keep your work force engaged and excited. The moment you get comfortable is the moment you get lazy.
Keep in mind your employees will only work as hard as you do. As the person in charge, the task to set the right tone in your office falls to you. Consistently being the first one working in the morning and the last to stop is a good start. As your company grows and expands, the work grows with it. Don't expect to be able to take it easy after you reach a certain goal.
2. Always Stay Humble.
If it's starting to get hard to fit your head in the makeshift garage, closet and basement office where your company began, then that's probably a sign you're close to getting cocky, or worse, you're there. Being brash is dangerous and opens the door for mistakes or oversights. On the contrary, being grounded is a great quality, especially if you have a team that you want to respect and follow you. In a small company, trust and respect are vital for things to run smoothly. Don't get caught up thinking that you are above certain tasks and always be quick to acknowledge your employees' successes by giving credit where it's due.
3. Don't Lose Focus.
You must never lose sight of the mission and the dream. It can be easy to get wrapped up in early successes, but it is very important to use small wins as motivation to work harder instead of relax. You will be thrown curveballs, and you have to take them in stride and keep your company on course. As you start to make more money, remember why you started the company. Are you still solving a problem with your company, or are you only doing what's necessary to make a little more money?
What's Next?
You've got something great going. How well you nurture the business relies heavily on maintaining good habits and keeping yourself grounded. Don't expect to be able to take it easy after you reach a certain goal, don't get caught up thinking that you are above certain tasks, and you must never lose sight of the mission and the dream. Congratulations again and carry on, entrepreneurs.