What's something you wish you knew when you were first starting your business?

Answered by:

Thom Sauber

Marketing Consultant

62 Questions answered

Answered on November 4th, 2019

The E myth. If you don't know it, find the book and read it. Starting a business is not about the a "what you do". If you're a ditch digger, it is no longer about digging ditches. If you are a dress maker, it is no longer about making dresses. It is about keeping your employees happy, great customer service, and securing sales in that order. That is your new job. THAT is what running a business is all about. You take care of your employess, and your employees take care of your business. You take care of your customers, and they will be customers for life. You seek out and secure new customers, and your business will grow. If you worry about digging the ditch or making the dress, then who is doing the other 3 things? This is business. Your job is to worry about doing business.

9 Replies

from

Nov 4th, 2019

Agree, 100% read the E-Myth. Also a simple read for time management - Win The Hour Win The Day!

Sabine Schleese from Schleese Saddlery Service

Second that. One of the best, quick business reads out there. And there are many! Surround yourself with people who can do the things you're not good at.

from

Nov 6th, 2019

Reading it right now and it's totally changed my mindset. Understanding that the business IS the product you are creating vs creating a job that matches your skill set is key.

from

Nov 6th, 2019

I read the E-Myth Revisited and I agree with what Micheal said in there 100%. I would reverse the order of the 3 things you listed though. Sales first, care for your customers 2nd and care for your employees 3rd. If you don't have sales, you won't have customers to take care of, and you won't have money to hire or take care of your employees with, and ultimately, you won't have a business. Once you have the sales, you now have customers. If you want to keep those customers and get them becoming brand advocates bringing in new customers, take very good care of them. Now that you have your happy customers and your sales are coming in, you can look to hire staff to delegate tasks to and reinvest that money into making sure they're happy. Unless you have sufficient financing at startup, you won't have the funds to have any employees, and even if you do, if you don't take care of securing those customers, you won't have the money to keep your employees around for long.