Natalie Zfat
Oct 29, 2021
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of BlogHer. The opinions and text are all my own.
Social media does a great job of romanticizing the life of an entrepreneur โ making our own schedules, traveling, giving up our day job to pursue our passion. But let me pull the curtain back for you... The day to day isnโt always so glamorous. When I started my business, I didnโt know that the CEO title I envisioned would look more like CEO/Human Resources Officer/Accountant/Head Fire Putter Outer.
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of traveling for work for the first time in 18 months to attend and moderate a panel at this yearโs BlogHer Biz Conference 2021. During our panel, sponsored by LegalZoom, I was joined by some of the best and brightest fellow entrepreneurs: Danielle Alvarez (CEO of The Bonita Project), Briana Thompson (Founder of Spiked Spin & Wellness Co.) and Katina Mountanos (Founder of On Adulting). Together we discussed the woes and wins of their experiences starting their businesses. Here are some big takeaways:
๐ฉ๐ฝโ๐ป ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ, ๐ฉ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ค ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ฅ๐..."๐๐๐ง ๐ ๐๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ?" To be clear, yes, you can do anything you set your mind to. But some important considerations the ladies recommended were questioning if there is a market for your product/service, where and how it can thrive, whether you are the person to make it thrive, are you prepared to be disciplined, are you prepared to fight for your worth, and the list goes on. While a business starts from a place of passion, passion doesnโt always generate revenue. Before diving in head first, each of the panelists took a lot of time to plan their every move with radical self-awareness.
๐ฉ๐ปโ๐ป ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ข๐ง ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ง๐. *shiver* I know. "Legal" sounds kind of terrifying. But it is critical to have a lawyer on your side to protect you, especially in the beginning. Many firms offer great deals as you start out with the hopes that they can stick with you and earn their money back later, as your business becomes a success. Pro-tip: If youโre unable to afford a lawyer at first, a basic rule of thumb in protecting yourself is to make sure everything is in writing. Yes, everything.
๐ฉ๐พโ๐ป ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ'๐ ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐๐ค๐ ๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก. When your business gets to a point where youโre ready to hire a team member (or members), consider first who, then what. Seek out the person with passion for the work youโre doing, first and foremost. And that means not overlooking young talent. Take a risk on that person right out of college who is eager and curious. They may just be the best investment you make. Oh, and make sure you like them. Youโll be spending lots of time together.
These tips are only the (ahem) tip of the iceberg. You can hear what each of these brilliant women has to say about their trials and tribulations in business, and everything in between here! You especially donโt want to miss their quickfire answers on what they wish they had known when they started.