Top tips for a successful startup journey

We’ve rounded up some of the top tips for entrepreneurs whether you’re just getting started in your journey or are well on your way. Remember, Startup Alleghenies offers free business coaching to startups and emerging small businesses in the region. Check out these tips then connect with your coach by registering at StartupAlleghenies.com.

1. Stay informed: Keep yourself updated with the latest trends and developments in your market space. This will help you stay ahead of the competition and make informed decisions. What to do: Subscribe to emails, read blogs and magazines about your industry, follow successful businesses in your space on social media and keep a journal or your phone notes app handy for jotting down ideas you want to explore.
2. Focus on customer experience: In today’s world, customers are looking for more than just a product or service. They want an experience. Make sure you are providing your customers with a memorable experience that will keep them coming back. What to do: Ask for feedback! Find ways to gauge customer satisfaction and learn more about what your customers want from their experience with your business. It’s as simple as engaging in conversation with a loyal customer, asking an unhappy customer how you can improve, or setting up an online survey that you promote on social media.
3. Embrace technology: Technology is constantly evolving, and it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements. Embrace new technologies that can help you streamline your business processes and improve efficiency. What to do: If you’re less than tech-savvy, find an expert to make suggestions for technology that can help you create efficiencies or improve your customer experiences. Look for free and low-cost courses and online tutorials and remember that learning new things is part of the ownership journey!
4. Be adaptable: The business landscape is constantly changing, and it’s important to be adaptable. Be open to change and willing to pivot your business strategy if necessary. What to do: Remember that failure and setbacks are learning opportunities that can ultimately pay off. Use challenges as launching pads for forward progress.
5. Build a strong team: Your team is the backbone of your business. Make sure you are hiring the right people and building a strong team culture. What to do: If you are planning to hire employees, remember that in your leadership role, you set the tone and create the culture for your business environment. Set clear expectations, communicate openly and respectfully and care for your employees the way you want them to care about their role in your business.  Check out the Startup Alleghenies Boot Camp series on HR for more.
6. Stay focused: It’s easy to get distracted by new opportunities or challenges. Stay focused on your goals and objectives, and don’t lose sight of what’s important. What to do: Documenting your goals and regularly measuring your progress against them can help to keep you on track. Identify key performance indicators, milestones and other metrics you can review daily, weekly and monthly. Analyze how and when taking on a new opportunity will contribute to helping you reach your goals, and don’t get too hung up on perceived challenges if they aren’t impeding your progress.
7. Take care of yourself: Running a business can be stressful, and it’s important to take care of yourself. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking breaks when you need them. What to do: Schedule time for yourself. It’s easy to say you’ll take a break “when things settle down,” but the realities of business ownership can feel like constant pressure. Block off time, whether it’s 15 minutes a day or one day per week, for working out, walking, meditation, or other healthy ways to relieve stress. Pack meals so you don’t rely on fast food and try following a consistent sleep schedule to keep your energy up.
8. Be patient: Success doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient and persistent, and don’t give up on your dreams. What to do: When you get frustrated or impatient, remember the reason you started this journey—passion for an idea that you believe in. Re-charge and re-ignite that fire when things feel slow. Read positive reviews from customers, talk to family and friends who support you and connect with resources who can help you keep moving forward.

Onward and upward!

Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.