30 Lessons from an Accidental Entrepreneur

I’m not one of those people who set out to “own stuff.” In fact, my husband — who has always had that entrepreneurial spirit — had been telling me to start my own company for a while, but I never listened. (I’m sure he’d tell you that’s not all that surprising.) But, finally, last year, I decided it made sense to start my own company. And now, I can’t imagine doing anything else. As I celebrate a birthday this week, I’ve spent some time reflecting on the past year. And with that, I give you 30 lessons from an “accidental entrepreneur:”

1. Just because you never thought about being an entrepreneur doesn’t mean you can’t be a successful business owner.
2. Get a really, really good accountant.
3. Treat your company like a client.
4. Assemble a talented team.
5. Understand your strengths and weaknesses.
6. It’s ok to say “no.”
7. The importance of networking can’t be overstated.
8. Self-promotion isn’t a bad thing. It’s part of the game — just don’t over do it.
9. Play nice.
10. There’s no such thing as a 9-5 entrepreneur, but the freedom and flexibility of entrepreneurship totally make up for it.
11. Be explicitly clear with customers about expectations and payment. Contracts are your friend.
12. Don’t hold grudges. It’s not worth it.
13. Sometimes picking up the phone is the best way to avoid or resolve conflict.
14. Say thank you. A lot.
15. Not every potential client is a good fit.
16. You’re not a good fit for every potential client.
17. Learn how to draw the line between the personal and professional.
18. Do well by doing good.
19. If you say you’re going to do something, do it.
20. Work with people, companies and causes you believe in.
21. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
22. Take calculated risks.
23. Try new things. Some will work, some won’t. But, it’s all part of the learning experience.
24. Outwork the competition.
25. Maintain a laser-like focus on your strategy and big-picture goals, but be flexible enough to improvise when necessary.
26. Plan, but don’t overplan.
27. Appreciate people who mentor and advise you. Return the favor. Pay it forward.
28. Money doesn’t have to be the end goal, but, remember that you are running a for-profit business.
29. Lots of smart people have good ideas, but not everyone can figure out how to make money. If you can, embrace it!
30. Be quick. Be smart. Be relevant.

What would you add?

Photo credit: clevercupcakes