Tweet

The Start-Up Blues – How to Keep Motivated

Written by: Ellisa Brenneman

Article Overview: Nationally and locally, business are facing hardships that we as a country haven’t truly had to face in a few generations and we’ve done our best to persevere, but that doesn’t always keep us from being pushed to the mat and the breaking point. The world where business credit was easy to acquire, vendors were lax in their collections, and the consumer was hungry for new purchases is long gone and the small business owner isn’t getting any true encouragement on what to do next.

The Start-Up Blues – How to Keep Motivated

In the real world, we have to deal with facing down challenges that can’t be overcome simply with motivational catch phrases made famous by Tony Robbins or Dr. Phil. Lately, we’re all taking hits from the recession and the general depression that this has brought on our country. Nationally and locally, business are facing hardships that we as a country haven’t truly had to face in a few generations and we’ve done our best to persevere, but that doesn’t always keep us from being pushed to the mat and the breaking point. The world where business credit was easy to acquire, vendors were lax in their collections, and the consumer was hungry for new purchases is long gone and the small business owner isn’t getting any true encouragement on what to do next.

So what’s the secret? If it’s not a mantra or a chant or a psalm than what is the way to pull yourself off the mat if your prospects are looking bleak? Frankly, it’s remembering the facts about being a start-up. Keep those in mind, and you’ll be able to maneuver your way through Year One. Negativity: Why be negative when faced with an obstacle? The website isn’t getting the requisite number of hits and you’re baffled about the SEO guidelines from Google. The logo you adore is apparently too similar to one that’s for a restaurant chain in Florida. The only merchant account that you can get wants a 5% fee per transaction. When faced with these sorts of obstacles one must never succumb to the easy way out: negative thinking. Common sense dictates that a “woe is me” vibe around your business will not solve any of the problems you’re facing. It’s just as detrimental as unrestrained blind optimism. Take a deep breath, re-evaluate, consult a mentor, use a magic 8-ball, whatever, but don’t let it ruin the day. Obstacles will always exist. Focus on possible solutions instead of the problem.



The Red is no longer the enemy: Everyone worries about being in the red in their first year. Guess what? You’re supposed to be. No matter how much pre-opening marketing you do, no matter how much buzz you create, you will most likely be in the red for at least the first six months of operation once you’ve opened. Depending on the industry you’re involved in, it could be longer. It’s supposed to be this way. The only way to build cash flow is to be open and gathering a client base actively and that will be a period of time spending working capital and having very little revenue coming in to pay for it. Anyone who shows you a business plan without a period of deficit at the beginning of operations is either walking into opening the business with a client base already established or is not being realistic about their first year. If it’s the former, then they’ve spent longer on pre-opening than the average start-up. If it’s the latter, then they most likely are drinking their own Kool-Aid.

A Few Good Men (or women): “If you’re not smart, surround yourself with smart people. If you’re smart, surround yourself with smart people that disagree with you.” I heard this quote on a television show ages ago and it’s stuck with me. This is what every entrepreneur should consider when building their management team. When you’re starting out, the last thing you need are “Yes Men”. Nothing will get done and there will be no debate when it’s required to enact a change in the strategy. Just as we don’t want one voice in government, we don’t want one voice in the boardroom. The people that work in your inner circle should be those with the requisite experience to help you in areas you aren’t knowledgeable or they should be there to encourage healthy debate in case the strategy needs too change.

Coaches in the locker room tell us what they think we need to hear to keep a positive attitude without much thought to the practical reality that we live in. Remembering the reality about the first year of business will pay off a great deal better than some mantra from a motivational speaker especially one that charges thousands to attend an alarming convention where you are shouted at. You will inevitably have a moment where you see the mat coming closer and closer as you’re about to hit it. As you’re falling, remember the facts and the solutions for how to pull yourself back up from it.

Related Articles
  Passive-Aggressive Behavior Is Useless In A Startup
  Solving the "Blues" Problem
  StartUp Costs
  Finance Start-Up
  Fantastic Post By Calacanis On How To Get PR

Article Tags: angel investors, business plan, business plan consultant, business plan consultants, business plan service, business plan services, business plan writer, business plan writers, business plans, custom business plan, custom business plans, entrepreneur, entrepreneurial, entrepreneurism, entrepreneurs, ethos 360, ethos 360 solutions, ethos business solutions, ethos360, ethos360com, small business plans, venture capital, wwwethos360com



Related Forum Posts
2007 Mothers Day for Women Entrepreneurs - A mom who has her own business faces an incredible challenge. Motivated by the need to put food on the table or to give herself the gift of accomplishment, she moves forward with her life and family while starting a new business. All women who start a business, have to start somewhere. Even those who purchase a franchise have to start with the education needed to run that particular franchise. The never ending juggle of Family, business and self begins. Finding balance can be a challenge. With outside input, women discover and utilize tools that will help them create the life and business that they want. One of the tools used to find things that can make business building faster and easier than they thought is the Wright Place TV Show Mother’s Day Special. The Wright Place™ TV Show is a 30 minute broadcast television talk show for women. ‘ We talk about strategies, techniques and mindset needed to grow ones business.” Says Dr. Wright, host of the show. “For the last 7 years, I have brought to the screen leaders in entrepreneurship who have talent in creating incredible businesses. They love to share and my audience gets the benefit of that.” The Mother’s Day Special evolved as a way to make women in businesses, which also happen to be mothers, feel appreciated. “ A few vendors got together and gave the audience these lovely gift bags.’ Says Dr. Wright. ‘From then on, every year, I would get requests from vendors to be a part of the show. People are interested in encouraging women who take a change to create the life and business they want. I look forward to seeing this live audience every year.” Last year’s show was presented by Jenny Craig. Jenny Craig, know for their weight loss products gave each audience member a goal setting kit created by Martha Beck. “This kit could be used for anything, not just weight loss or management. If women can use this to move themselves closer to a fulfilling life, then it’s the perfect gift.” Says Dr. Wright. Dr. Wright says she tries to look for things that are unusual yet exceptionally useful for today’s woman entrepreneur. You never know what kinds of things the audience will find in their gift bags.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Work at Home Moms and Their Bad Rap?

10 Steps to a Great Support Team

Stay Employed In A Down Economy

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.