I started my first business in 1985/1986; a Spa Development company I called Lyonshare Consulting. I had worked in the spa industry at that point, for all of a few short years. But I was sure I knew everything there was to know. After all, I spent those very few short years as a cosmetician, esthetician, traveling and researching spas, opening a large hydrotherapy resort spa, and being employed as a spa director with a staff of 30. Yes, I was a naive 28 year old; short on experience and high in tenacity, but as it turned out, that tenacity was going to serve me very well. Little did I know that the learning had just begun and the curve was going to be steep! Here’s just a small fraction of what I’ve learned (so far):
- Never ask the advice of someone who doesn’t care about your future.
- Make sure your personal finances are in order first.
- Firmly establish your brand and philosophy before you throw something out there.
- Don’t spend more than a minute on a prospect who is only interested in how popular or well-known you are.
- If the conversation is only about what you can do for them, its time to turn that around.
- Strategic alliances and industry relationships are everything.
- Don’t be afraid of not having the answer or of not knowing everything upfront.
- Choose to speak publicly or write candidly, but ideally, both.
- Don’t be afraid to show your sense of humor.
- It’s OK to do some gratis work in the early stages, but it’s not OK to allow anyone to undervalue or dis-credit your services.
- Scale your risk-taking down as you and your business mature.
- Sometimes you just know there is a demand for something. Investigate the feasibility before involving anyone, especially your loved ones.
- Success isn’t luck, it’s more work than you will ever imagine.
- Never underestimate the power of personality; yours and theirs.
- Smile alot, but not TOO much.
- If you have a nervous laugh or habit, get it under control fast.
- Let them see your passion and excitement.
- Be careful of over-promising when you are excited.
- If you are blamed for something (serious) that you know you didn’t do, walk away and never look back; you are not the ‘fall-guy’.
- Don’t waste time thinking stupid thoughts that can sabotage an otherwise positive outcome.
- Remember that those uncomfortable butterflies mean growth is underway.
- Everything can be fixed, it is never as serious as you think.
- If you view everything as an emergency, so will they.
- Don’t be ashamed of your small office, it can be a hub for great big things.
- Know your minimum and maximum thresholds and honor them whenever possible.
- Learning how to smile rather than frown when you are interrupted, is very honorable.
- Don’t be afraid to be absolutely outstanding at what you do, and to let people know it.
- Don’t wait for certain things to happen, before other things can.
- Help everyone you possibly can, in every way you are able.
- Above all, when you love and respect yourself, all else will fall into it’s place.