8 Things I've learned about Running a Successful Startup

Startups have begun popping up all over the country. It seems that a lot of people think they're easy to run, but as someone who's successfully overcome the challenges and faced the obstacles associated with such a task, I can tell you it's seldom easy. Fortunately, there are some things you can learn from my own experience, so here are eight things I've learned about running a successful startup:

1. You have to be solving a real problem

Creativity and ingenuity are great, but if your startup isn't actually serving a market, your efforts will fall flat pretty quickly. To truly become a startup that's listed in the success category, you need to meet the needs of your audience and deliver a solution that makes their lives better, easier, more efficient, or less confusing.

2. The people you hire matter

While this is always true, it's even more important when you're operating a startup. When I put my team into place, I wanted to make sure that everybody was flexible and able to be all-hands-on at a moment's notice because that's bound to happen more times than not, especially when you're first starting out. You need people who are able to wear a thousand hats and tackle tasks that might be new to them. Your controller might need to attend a conference; your marketing person might need to field A/P questions from a vendor. The key is hiring people who are not only not afraid to step out of their comfort zones; they crave experiences that are outside of their own boxes.

3. Networking can be your best friend

When I set out on my startup journey, I knew networking would be important for sales and rubbing elbows with other successful entrepreneurs, but I didn't realize how important it would be to have mentors who have delved into this situation before me. Don't be afraid to ask others for guidance or advice; you'll often find that people are happy to offer their insights.

4. Define your culture immediately

Company culture is vital, and it's incredibly difficult to change after you've established your business. Figure out your mission, vision, and values long before you get too big to make any changes. This will help define the people you put on your payroll, too.

5. It's okay to have healthy competition

I quickly understood that I could learn a lot from my competitors if I just kept my eyes and ears open. The things they talked about on social media, the subjects they blogged about, and the reviews they received all helped me hone in on my own business strategies.

6. Create content

While I was busy being the butcher, baker, and candlestick maker (wearing every hat possible in my organization), I often found it difficult to manage my social media accounts and create new content. Don't let these elements go unnoticed, or you could easily hurt your online rankings and reputation. If you need to, hire freelancers to help you with these tasks.

7. Grow slow

It may sound exciting to put five new people on the payroll when you get a new account, but I can tell you from experience that growing too quickly can cause more pains than positives. Temper your enthusiasm with caution and a well-defined roadmap to ensure the success and happiness of your business.

8. Have fun

Employees of startups have a lot on their plates; take time to show appreciation, thank them, and have a little fun. You're more likely to reap the rewards of loyalty in return.

Are you trying to run your own successful startup right now? Share your experiences, obstacles, and successes in the comments section below!