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Brought to you by
“If you could start your business again, what would you do differently?“
We asked the Flying Solo community and here’s what they said…
Supported by DOT (Digital Office Technology)™ from Telstra
“If you could start your business again, what would you do differently?”Perhaps you wouldn’t have bought the world’s cheapest van, hired your brother-in-law as your accountant or spent a year in polyester uniforms.
As part of a month-long campaign to improve small business productivity, Telstra and Flying Solo posed this question
to the community.
Scores of members openly shared tips, stories and ideas on what they’d learned on their business journey and this
eBook is a compendium of the finest responses.
Whether you’re a start up, or an existing business looking to rejuvenate, we’re sure you’ll find some gold in the
following pages.
A huge thanks to Telstra and all the wonderful contributors - we LOVE your work!
The t eam a t F ly i ng So l o
Flying Solo’s ‘Productivity Month’ Challenge. Supported by DOT (Digital Office Technology)™ from Telstra. From today, there’s a better way of working with DOT (Digital Office Technology)™, the all-in-one fixed, mobile and broadband solution from Telstra. Make today your Day DOT ™, the first day of the rest of your business. Find out how DOT can transform your business at telstra.com/dotDOT is not available in all areas or to all premises.
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Submitted by: JenG
A little less nicheAs an online retailer, I think I would have chosen a less “niche” product! As much as I love my business, I think I could
have made it easier on myself. There’s “niche” and there’s “a little too niche!”
Submitted by: SuzsSpace
Research, research and more research...Research, research and more research is the top thing I’d do differently. I wouldn’t just follow people blindly.
I’d also be far more careful with my money, ensuring I actually had a cash flow rather than just leaving it to chance.
Submitted by: Warren Cottis
Engage a mentor sooner!I would engage a mentor... then a better mentor... then a better mentor and so on.
A mentor is anyone who knows more than you in the field that you are pursuing and WANTS to help you. Some of
them you have to pay, but I find the best ones are the ones that you meet by accident.
The best way to meet mentors is get rid of the people in your life that find reasons why you can’t do what you want to
do. All they are doing is wasting your time.
Surround yourself with people who support your decisions and don’t stop looking for more. Just keep your eyes open
and only take advice from people who have reached the level of success that YOU want.
4
Submitted by: KarenC
20 things I’d do differentlyI began my business in 1987 - it was virtually to give myself a job because in my field no one would employ me with a
baby. I was even told by some that ‘my place was in the home’ despite my abilities having made more for the company
in client work than my male colleagues. However, my (late) dad who was an accountant always believed in me, and
encouraged me to go it alone. If I was setting up now ...
1. I would not buy someone else’s business and business name.
2. I would work on a definite business plan with products not services.
3. I would make use of all available technology to market myself.... I made use of all technology available at that time
as it was pre-computers, but I would certainly now include an immediate web presence in website, FB and Twitter
being my primary means of marketing contact.
4. I would network.
5. I would not drink so much coffee but more tea.
6. I would take a walk every day.
7. I would not worry about what other people think of me.
8. I would not allow bullying from anybody, including clients or potential clients.
9. I would hold my head up high and be proud of being a female in business right from the start.
10. I would not work on weekends.
11. I would have more confidence in myself.
12. I would have my studio in a separate room attached to the house not a separate building.
13. I would treat myself to a massage a minimum of once a month, preferably weekly.
14. I would standardise my work processes and record them.
15. I would engage a business coach.
16. I would take time each day to say I was grateful for everything in my life.
17. I would set aside time each week to be creative just for the fun of it, not for work.
18. I would definitely make use of my iPhone and all it’s tools for business including calendars and more.
19. I would throw out what was unnecessary.
20. I would start each day with quiet time/meditation/prayer.
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Submitted by: Steve_Minshall
Invest in measurable advertisingOnly invest in advertising whose results can be measured quickly and tested on a small scale. Invest more capital up
front to accelerate the start up phase (easier to say with the security of hindsight).
Get my initial Website and AdWords campaigns built in tandem and ready to go before opening.
Create my Website with both an SEO and an AdWords landing page plan.
Find out which trade body I can join that gives me merchant facility savings as a member with greater savings than the
cost of their membership.
Submitted by: michaelceegee
Developed my sales/marketing skills earlierI was happy with the planning and implementation I put into setting up my business which has been running for nearly
10 years with solid growth every year ...until now.
I now wish Id spent more time on my biggest area of weakness - my sales and marketing skills. These skills don’t get
any easier to develop as you get “mature” (old dogs, new tricks etc.). Also I wish that I had spent more time staying
ahead of the technology and social media opportunities instead of following behind in it’s wake.
As a positive at least I am in there exploring what I can do with Facebook, Twitter, apps etc. and not ignoring them. I
just have to work out what will work for me and what is an unproductive waste of my time.
Submitted by: The Copy Chick
Set up customer management systemsSet up more comprehensive systems to keep track of clients, referrals, lead generation, etc.
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Submitted by: Peter Crocker
Maintained a detailed customer databaseOne thing I wish I’d done when originally starting up my writing business was to start and maintain a detailed customer
database. I recall writing about this in an article:
“Over the years you meet, email and work with hundreds or even thousands of clients, but unless you conscientiously
maintain a database, it eventually all becomes a mess of cards, random email addresses and half-remembered names.
A detailed and up-to-date database is a valuable tool for launching new services, starting email newsletters, keeping in
touch with prospects and sharing valuable information with an interested audience. Maintaining it is a job that has to be
done almost daily.”
Submitted by: SimplyReplica
Formed a network of experts before jumping inPersonally, the one thing I would ideally love to implement (when I learn how to time travel) is to surround myself with
the appropriate network of experts before I jump in. In retrospect, we have accomplished much on our own although
there is a blatant gap that if it was filled before the journey commenced, I might not have gone as wayward as I
had recently.
Submitted by: microsync
Automation, outsourcing, lead generation...I would say from the beginning, focus on the core and care less about the mechanics (automate and outsource
where possible).
Lead Generation - capitalise more on existing relationships to build your leads. Continually build fresh mutual
relationships and great referral systems.
SINCE MY DAY DOT™
MY CALLS FIND MESet all your mobiles and landlines to ring at once so you can answer customer calls the first time. DOT (Digital Office Technology)™, the all-in-one fixed, mobile and broadband solution.
Make today your Day DOT, the first day of the rest of your business.
Visit your local Telstra Business Centre, call 1800 331 039 or go to telstra.com/dot
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW: DOT (Digital Office Technology)™ is only available in locations where an ADSL2+ service of sufficient quality is available. The Spectrum device and ™ are trade marks and ® registered trade marks of Telstra Corporation Limited ABN 33 051 775 556.
Ian, Altered Images Photography
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Submitted by: vhit
Figure out how WordPress works!In the start I created many websites that were unprofessional. I was so proud of the websites at the time! I finally sort
of figured out how WordPress works, and paid someone on oDesk to make me a WordPress website, using one of the
themes. I would have done that the first time around.
Submitted by: PerfectNotes-Kathy
Don’t wait to be forced into businessI would go into business for myself voluntarily, rather than by force, due to the business I was working for going
into administration.
I would work harder on ensuring that the lead generation process happens - whether I’m bogged down in actual
programming or other work, or not!
Submitted by: estim8
Do more business planning, outsource more...Hindsight is marvellous ... I could write a whole blog on the things I’d do differently.
The biggest for me, is that having high-level skills, is very different from having a successful business. The first, does not
necessarily convert to the second. I’d do more “business plan” homework, before jumping in.
Outsource all bookkeeping and accounts control, and have better cash flow budgets (and stick to them). I’ve always
been a “d” grade bookkeeper and credit manager.
Walk away sooner from business ideas that suck, instead of flogging dead horses into the ground (see “business plan”).
Never go near a bank for capital, or overdraft finance, until there’s proven sustainable cash flow.
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Submitted by: bill0902
Just ‘gone for it’ rather than limit optionsI started a business building fish boxes to fit on jet skis. It’s a small but growing sport and I was convinced that everyone
would enjoy the activity as much as I do. We therefore targeted a limited number of jet ski dealers thinking we wouldn’t
be able to keep up production. Wrong, and 2 years later this still creates problems having given exclusivity to only a few
dealers, some of whom we knew nothing about. We should have just “gone for it” and got what we could.
Submitted by: Breevree73
Hire a sales person soonerMy sales skills are not great, so it would have made sense to hire someone who could sell early on - instead I have
wicked marketing, and then a very tough time converting. Once converted, my clients are completely happy chappies!!
Submitted by: Be You Coaching
I would have started it earlierWhen you finally find a passion it ceases to be work and becomes fun!
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Submitted by: Guy Manicom
What’s in a name?If I could start again I would pick a better business name. Ha!
Submitted by: Kate Underhill
Boundaries between home and workI wouldn’t have given out my home phone number as a business number. I have since taken it off my business cards
and replaced it with my mobile number, but my very first clients still use it. Now I have some clients who phone me
over the weekend or late at night and sometimes my children answer the phone.
Submitted by: Leisa Dent
Google power!If I could go back in time I’d put far more effort and money into search engine optimisation (SEO) from the beginning.
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Submitted by: Matthew Smith
Press the fleshGiven my time again I would not rely on Yellow Pages so much and get out to more networking and business events in
person. We didn’t have Facebook back then though!
Submitted by: David Moore
Charge!In hindsight I would charge properly (more) and focus, focus, focus on what I am good at and outsource the stuff I
don’t like. I realise I needed more support from the start.
Submitted by: Lead Design
OutsourceIn terms of marketing I would have focused more on networking and SEO. Also I would go back and outsource
elements of the business that are not your core business like doing accounts for example – that way I could focus
more on designing and other important things in the business.
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Submitted by: Lisa Wise
Location, location, locationMove from a stagnant regional area to a thriving community and work from home to cut overheads.
Submitted by: Links Locals
Be system reliant, not people reliant.My advice is to focus on building systems. Invest your time building the system, procedures, and ops manuals. So no
matter who comes or goes from your business (including yourself) the business can keep growing. Include your vision/
mission statements. Once that is done, spend the $$ and time developing the best people for the system.
Submitted by: Merryn Padgett
Target your ideal clientReally understand my ideal client and have a targeted approach to finding them and solving their problems.
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Submitted by: Vanessa Emilio
Cheap can be nastyPut more money into good help and not try to do it all myself initially! It’s worth setting up properly with good
contractors and staff at the beginning so that when you grow, they grow with you. And if you try to do it ‘on the cheap’
it shows and your customers will know! Do it right the first time, be proud of it, and your customers will too.
Submitted by: Alison Jose
Focus!Focus more on just one or two points rather than being too many things for too many people.
Submitted by: Sharen Jeffries
Focus on doing one thing at a time and doing it well. Still need to do that now.
Submitted by: Simon Davies
Slow downI would have enough funds to fall back on during the harder times. Also brush up on planning and concept
development before rushing things too fast.
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Submitted by: Kellik
Reduce my initial product rangeWell, only been in my online baby store biz 7 weeks… but I’m already thinking I should niche down a bit...sell 1 or 2
products not 150!!! There’s just too much competition I’m finding.
Submitted by: Laura Cerra
The sky is the limit!I would carefully consider logo and branding as a priority even early on. Set guidelines and stick to them. Never let a
client barter down prices. Stay true to what you stand for and be confident in yourself. The sky is the limit!
Submitted by: Trevor Hauser
Look back and learnI would look over my past results and learn from them by creating a more comprehensive business plan. Also review
my S.W.O.T - Strengths. Weaknesses. Opportunities. Threats.
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Submitted by: Jodie McLeod
Set up systems and processesI used to go about my working days guided by instinct, attending to whatever I felt needed doing in the moment
rather than having set procedures or structuring my work time. While I may have survived okay, I found that when I
wrote down some set procedures for regular tasks, and when I structured my work days with micro-goals, I became
incredibly more time efficient and could fit a whole lot more into my work time.
I think people in creative industries (in my case - a freelance writer, editor and copywriter) can sometimes feel they
work best when things aren’t so structured. But I urge those who believe that to try the opposite! As a business owner,
you can’t afford to have your head in the clouds all the time. Save that for the real creative stuff.
Submitted by: Diep Tran
Get a business coachGet a business coach and create a system for your business!
Submitted by: Dan @ Ocius Digital
Track your timeIt’s nice and fun to whistle through the day and ride the wave, but usually it will all catch you up when you least expect
it and you’ll lose more time in the long run.
There’s a lot talked about Xero on various forums here - who provide small business cloud accounting, and it’s very
popular for its simple easy to use nature. Something that’s not mentioned as much here is WorkflowMax. This is a job
management product owned by Xero, but specifically aimed at creative agencies and associated industries such as
architecture and design. It’s a really good product for tracking all the tasks and time associated with jobs, which are
something more complex than a simple transaction.
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Submitted by: MissSassy
Face-to-face networkingNetworking from day one is something I am doing with this new business and something I have not done with
previous businesses that I have owned. It is the one thing all businesses need to do.
Submitted by: Robert Gerrish
Get yourself a financial buffer!One of my early ventures was opening an art gallery - in the late 80s - and were I to start that business again, I’d have
hung onto some greater cash reserves (and spent less on fitout) and then maintained the courage to stick to my niche.
By not maintaining any financial buffer, I started panicking, shifted focus and in desperation filled the walls with
commercial work. In the process I lost interest, lost serious buyers (who were hovering around me waiting to see if I
was committed and consistent - I proved to be neither!) and ultimately lost my house.
All good experience and the launch parties were fabulous!
Submitted by: sam_leader
Set aside time for yourselfI made that absolutely classic Solo Stuff up 101 and did not schedule in time for myself. It’s amazing how when you
don’t set boundaries, work will seep in to every crevice and because there was so much to do, my priority was to just
do it.
This was okay for a time but soon it became unsustainable and it made me lose interest in my work and, later, bear a
grudge against my business.
Fortunately I committed to a twice-weekly gym class and things started to turn around from there.
Why-oh-why didn’t I do this from the get go? Why-oh-why did I wait for a crisis before acting? Because life has to be
lived forwards and understood backwards... or something.
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Submitted by: Dave Gillen
Make yourself the astronaut!It’s funny. For most things in life that we want to become good at we get lessons, or coaching, or take classes, or we at
least sign up for a weekly group class, or competition (think tennis, piano, puppy training, yoga...).
Yet for the important things we don’t (think business, relationships, health). Well I don’t anyway.
There is a certain pride about being able to make it by yourself, but when I look at elite performers (athletes for
example) I realise that they take a polar opposite view - they embed themselves into a team/program/system/schedule
that carries them towards their goal. Procrastination, laziness, poor nutrition, poor fitness, loss of focus, lack of
knowledge, lack of skills, lack of confidence - all these things are addressed and conquered or removed by someone in
their team. They wouldn’t think of doing it all themselves any more than an astronaut would try to get to the moon on
their own.
When I started I was one of those people jumping off a jetty with a pair of homemade wings. If I could start again I’d
make myself the astronaut.
Submitted by: alliedib
Focus on networking, marketing and mentoringI agree with the importance of networking. There is no point being good at what you do if your target market doesn’t
know it. For me, I would also have engaged a business mentor earlier and worked out the marketing plan from the
start, rather than relying on myself to do it when I had time...
Submitted by: CharlieS
Focus on marketing earlierIf I were to start my business over again I would definitely seek out a marketing coach earlier. It doesn’t matter how
good your products and services are if no one knows what they are!
I think I was a little naive about how much time I needed to spend on marketing and sales, I am now rectifying the
balance and improving my systems so I get more out of the time I spend.
I would also be more proactive about building in time to socialise with potential clients and partners - these
relationships take time to incubate so starting earlier and being more consistent really helps.
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Submitted by: Upward Dog
ASK AROUND. Hint: Flying Solo is great for this.While my partner and I were in the midst of planning and launching our new business, I agreed to take on a role doing
very part-time admin and marketing for a relatively new non-profit. Almost immediately, however, problems starting
bubbling up around the website - the cornerstone to the work - and I have since spent ALL of my time doing repair
work that isn’t nearly as good as I’d like it to be.
I reckon that all of this came about from group decision making without any expertise. If I had been hired - cheaply, at
that - to review the organisation’s plans before launching then everything could have been done differently and been
working from the start.
It’s okay to try and do something you’ve never done, but it’s not in your interest to jump in without the benefit of real
knowledge and experience.
Submitted by: Orbit Sites
Make mistakes earlyI would make a more solid plan before starting - but then again you only learn by making errors. Better to make them
earlier rather then later. And make the experience your own knowledge, not just something you read in a book.
Submitted by: PerfectNotes-Kathy
I can go for a bike ride!My addition to this topic is that, having planned time every week to look after myself, I would not have let the
pressure to complete client work make me move it out on the basis that ‘next week would be better’. Next week was
never better. It was only recently that I have flicked the switch in my head that says I CAN have a 1 hour bike ride (or
whatever) 2 or 3 days a week without my customers believing that the business had totally gone to pot. Now - to keep
the switch in the right position - and keep looking after myself, so that I can keep doing my best for our customers!
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Submitted by: JPFS
You can do it!I would have more confidence and trust in myself to know that I really can do this!
Submitted by: SimplyReplica
Enjoy, and start the momentum - today!Am truly enjoying this post, making all of us contemplate our humble beginnings and potentially pinpointing some
areas that can be left flapping in the wind for others about to take the journey.
Personally, looking at our beginnings has highlighted some paths I could have addressed better from the start, although
just now realising that these can still be addressed and still be improved upon.
One more little thing, something I would do differently is to stop flailing away at the conceptual aspect of my dreams
(business) and turning them into reality quicker by actioning my instinct and being able to identify when I was
procrastinating/stalling. Allow me to leave this post with a quote I adore:
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao-tzu - Chinese philosopher (604BC - 531BC)
Enjoy, and start the momentum - today!
Submitted by: gidgetmedia
Connect with other small business ownersI only started my business in September, so I’m not very far in, but I think I would speak to a lot more similar business
owners earlier, as I’m finding that other small business owners are not only great sources of information, but also great
supporters of my sanity!
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Submitted by: Dean @ Four P’s Marketing
Stress lessI would have hired my business coach sooner - rather than waiting over a year! I figure if the best athletes in the world
still have a coach, then I certainly need one for my business! Maybe then I wouldn’t have stressed so much during the
quiet days [and the busy days] in fact - everyday!!
Submitted by: JimmyD
Consider open source optionsIf I could start again I wouldn’t pay a company with their own content management system that you have to buy
the licence to use and host my website. I learned the hard way there is very little flexibility in using them, I couldn’t
implement any open source widgets and they were charging through the roof for the simplest additions. After wanting
to take the company in a new direction and not being able to take my website or any of the information on there with
me I definitely learned the hard way and should have read the fine print much more carefully.
The better alternative would be to find a developer that can develop the website you need off a WordPress/Joomla/
Drupal based open source client and it really improves your flexibility and control over your website or go looking for
templates and learn some basic HTML like I have now done. The new website isn’t quite launched yet, but we are
building up our Facebook community in anticipation for a launch.
Submitted by: any oodles
OutsourceI would outsource more - freeing myself to spend more time growing my business and less time ‘in it’.
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Submitted by: mg
Trust word of mouth recommendationsWhen we started out we didn’t really know any of the local business community and although I’d been reading through
the Flying Solo articles I hadn’t ventured into the forums. Because of that we didn’t really have anyone we could ask for
recommendations for web designers and other suppliers.
While Google was largely kind to us we weren’t so lucky with our website design and seo set-up and we are still
working to fix this. It was a rather costly decision.
If we started out again we’d hold off on the larger purchases for our business until we’d started networking and could
get some more reputable recommendations.
Now that we have a good local network and can get recommendations from the Flying Solo community it has been
much easier for us to find some great small businesses to work with.
Submitted by: troysimp
Avoid analysis paralysisThe biggest lesson I learned is not to fall into the trap of “analysis paralysis”. The worst decision you can make is to
make no decision at all. Decide on a matter one way or the other, but decide *something*. The bigger risk is not
making the wrong decision; it’s doing nothing.
Submitted by: NicoleHerrick
Stick to your knittingHaving a now defunct business under my belt (a retail hub for emerging Australian designers), I now know where I
went wrong. I tried to do too many ideas at once. At first the ideas all seemed to gel really well together and they all
seemed to fit under the one roof. But then as cash became harder to come by, I started adding new ideas to the mix to
try and generate more income to stay afloat. With so many balls being juggled, none of them were being given enough
of my time to flourish.
Looking back, had I just stuck with ONE idea and focused on it, I feel I may have had a better chance at success. My
new business (website design) is very focused and successful. Ahhhh the things we learn along the way hey!
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Submitted by: ShaniW
Save up some capitalI only started trading recently, but I’d definitely have more capital behind me if I were to start again. Bootstrapping has
its advantages but it’s also pretty stressful! Apart from that, nothing much - I’m thoroughly enjoying the ride.
Submitted by: I.T. Guaranteed
The bigger the mistake the bigger the lessonHow appropriate that on this, the 50th anniversary of Dr Who, Flying Solo poses such a question concerning
time travel.
So what would I change? My answer is absolutely nothing. Not a thing. Let me state straight away, I don’t consider
myself to be perfect. Far from it. The premise for this question is really, what mistakes have I made that I wouldn’t
make again.
I have made lots of mistakes, but I would gladly hop skip and jump into the Flying Solo TARDIS and repeat every single
one of those luscious, head banging, mind numbing, blunders all over again in exactly the same way.
Why?
Because each one of those carefully orchestrated plans that didn’t come off according to my dreams turned itself into
pearls of wisdom. Had I not made the mistakes I had, then I wouldn’t have learnt what doesn’t work, because before
one can learn what does work it is necessary to learn opposite.
Some examples.
• PaidAdvertising
I have spent a few thousand on paid advertising. One campaign was so successful (sending out stickers with
“free telephone support” to 30,000 homes) it was lauded at a University marketing lecture. The academic raved
about it enthusiastically. It was successful only in the eyes of the academics. What I learned was, real effort put
into marketing and branding could far outweigh any dollars put into advertising. Hard slogging effort, like writing a
weekly newspaper column for 4 years or doing a regular talkback radio gig.
• Specialising
One can either try to sell to the masses, or specialise by targeting key prospects whom are more likely to listen to
your pitch. I am glad I started by spreading the net widely at first but it took me longer than most to acknowledge
my key strengths were better spent servicing the 20% of customers who contributed to the 80% of my income.
(80/20 rule)
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• Managedservices
When you begin in business that feeling when you get your first few sales is amazing. “I’m actually doing it.” Later
you realise that you actually have to do it again (find a prospect, sell, deliver), and again and again. It is much easier
to keep the clients you have than to keep chasing new ones. In my industry (I.T.) this is now called “Software as a
service” (SaaS). It has huge advantages for the client. Much lower costs that are budget-able from year to year with
everything included – free updates, money back satisfaction guarantee for the duration, no unexpected support
bills, and knowing that the I.T. Company has skin on the table, and thus is not going to disappear after they take
the money, leaving little to no support and a product that only half works. Learning how to package up your
services and sell them as an ongoing service was the lesson that made the difference between sink and swim for
my business.
• Risk
Risk is viewed by many as a bad thing. But just like good and bad cholesterol there is good risk and bad risk. Bad
risk is venturing into unknown territory with loads of cash and no experience or advice from those who have
trodden the path before. Good risk is managed risk. Knowing not just what the returns are but also what the
possible losses could be and being prepared for those eventualities. In business risk is unavoidable. Failing to get
good experienced advice to reduce the risk is another mistake that I won’t be repeating.
• Purchaseorders
If you get a client that says “Yes I will buy that”, even if it’s an order for six months down the track, get a purchase
order ASAP. A lot can happen in that time, as I learnt when a restructure moved my yes man and swapped him to
another department.
• RentedOffice
This was a doozey of an idea that took hold after I had been operating a mobile computer repair & training
business for 2 years. The theory was, instead of me running all over town teaching clients on their own computers
(something that was listed as a need on my business plan), they could come to my hired professional office, or
pay a premium for the home service. Needless to say that year I just worked for my landlord and the power &
phone companies (as in I managed to pay my bills and that’s about all). When the lease ended, I was very happy to
be back as a mobile service with an edge over my bricks & mortar competitors once again.
The bigger the mistake the bigger the lesson. But each one has made me and my business stronger, and more
resilient. Skipping those mistakes would be like getting a taxi to the top of Mt Everest, shoving a flag in and then back
to the nearest café for a latte. You would miss the journey, the challenge, the effort, and never get to rejoice in the
accomplishments.
I could rattle on but the keys on this old laptop are about to cave in. So thanks for the offer of a trip in the TARDIS to
change things, but I will skip this one out.
Hang on maybe there is one thing I would do different … Why… subscribe to Flying Solo about ten years ago of course!
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Submitted by: Calcul8or
Do it sooner!After giving this a lot of thought, the one thing I would definitely do if I had my time again, would be to do it sooner!
Submitted by: Wild Ethereal
Procrastination is my biggest enemyI would put my head down and bum up to produce as much art as possible instead of wasting time looking at what
everyone else is doing. I would also set up a weekly goal sheet to help keep my focus and enable me to prioritise my time
more effectively. Procrastination is my biggest enemy.
Submitted by: Gizmo
The keyword there is STARTThere is so much valuable stuff here. What would I do differently is easy to say but I think very hard to do. If I could start
again what would I do?
I think the keyword there is START.
There are many things I would do differently. But I think the most important things are done before a business even starts. I
think the most important lessons for me to learn are from mistakes made before the start.
Looking back now several decisions at the start were too much tied to emotion and drive. I think this was because of the
connection I formed with the new business, my baby.
So next time I do this I’ll be sure to take a step back and try and be “Vulcan” i.e. look at it logically and leave the emotion out
of the decision making process.
25
Submitted by: word and web by george
4 tips to start-up success1) Find a mentor
2) Create a business plan to be revisited every six months
3) Skill up in adapting to change
4) Focus on goals and plans - not just on income
Submitted by: Debs
Take more risksI would take more risk and engage the help of professionals who have the marketing and other business skills that
I don’t.
I started my business from scratch after a career change. I had done well in my previous career and was afraid of
risking any of it and losing the lot. I couldn’t bear the thought of starting all over again.
I learnt the hard way when it came to advertising my business. I invested thousands of dollars in the wrong place. I tried
to do everything in the business myself and this wasn’t productive or effective.
This time I would get the help of experts to work with me to make sure I didn’t make those costly mistakes. The advice
of a mentor would also have been very valuable.
I’d network more. I was worried about competition, but really, networking with your peers is more valuable than
you realise.
26
Submitted by: ScarlettR
Don’t be afraid to ask for helpAs a soloist I’m incredibly independent and isolated. Even today I find myself lacking a real community of people that
I’m constantly in touch with - and Flying Solo has helped so much with that.
But as someone who has come from a very difficult, dark place it is to not be afraid to ask for help. Without our
network of people we crumble- emotionally, physically, financially, spiritually... Asking for help:
• Givesmeasenseofbeingconnected
• MakesmerealiseI’mnotaloneinmyjoys,mystruggles,andmygoals
• Letsfriendshipsblossomandgrow
• Encouragesmetochallengemyself
• Makesfailureeasier
• Bringsjoyintomylife
• Makesmefacemyfearsandstepoutofmycomfortzone
• Releasesthepressurevalveofexpectationandguilt,believingthatIdon’tdoenough
• It’smorethanjusttryingtosolveanimmediateproblem;it’sunderstandingthatwhenyoufallback,thereare
people there to help catch you.
Asking for help, for me, has only really come into play this past 6 months (out of maybe... 6 years?). Each time I have
opened myself up enough to ask for help, the growth of myself and my business multiply.
Submitted by: jewelsee
Let myself make more mistakesFor me, if I were to go and start over, I would let myself make more mistakes - and not beat myself up over them.
I would experiment more and not feel that I must have it all figured out before I move in new directions.
I have learnt more from some of my mistakes (or things that didn’t go to plan) than I possibly could have learnt from
someone giving me a “how to” lesson in advance.
That’s not to say that I won’t be actively seeking out help and taking note of the advice of the experts and others who
have gone ahead (or walk alongside) - it is foolishness to blindly flail about when someone can set you on the right
path. But I need to find my path and it may not be the road most travelled.
Submitted by: MattDell
Don’t repeat mistakesWhilst this is an interesting question, the problem we all have is that we don’t have the wisdom of hindsight now.
Knowing what I know now I would change lots of things, but knowing what I knew 13.5 years ago…
I did the best I could.
Thinking on it I find that really there is no point in beating myself up for mistakes of the past, the life lesson is don’t
repeat them!
Here’s to learning from others and working smarter in your business.
Love your work!
The t eam a t F ly i ng So l o
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