I’m sitting outside Starbucks right now starting to read “Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuck after spending the day downtown at Affinity Lab — DC’s local co-working space for entrepreneurs and startups. I’m in this whole transition process of my life figuring out what my next steps are going to be, and leaning towards launching a second business doing consulting work –> Crushing It! So needless to say, I’ve got a slew of thoughts and ideas running through my mind!

Today, sitting in this co-working space full of passionate innovators, I was reminded of that “fire” that comes with doing something you love. Passion, creativity, and a roomful of equally energetic and unbound personalities can lead to amazing possibilities. I think this is one of the keys to success: constantly surrounding yourself with creative minds that inspire you, motivate you, and guide you when you need it! As entrepreneurs, too many of us end up working in our silos, getting bogged down with the technicalities of our businesses, and thinking way too much about our own problems! If you remember, we all started our companies to solve somebody else’s problem(s)! Let’s get back to that core inspiration!

In fact, I think there is a lot of creative value that comes from getting out of our own world of challenges and taking time to help others think through their challenges! Take time out of your day to think creatively and problem solve outside of the context of your own work!

Some Lessons for Entrepreneurs…

Here are some lessons that have become clear to me in the last couple of weeks:

1. Do what you love, and the money will come! Too many people are making livings doing crappy business out there — there’s no reason you can’t kill it by doing better, so stop making excuses!
2. If you want to monetize on your passion, you need to sell it! I think this is the number one reason creatives struggle with business –> they think about everything BUT hustling and making the sale!
3. Don’t go it alone! Find at least one partner who compliments your strengths. If you’re a marketing guru or a creative, think about having somebody who can kill it on the business-end and operations. Your partner will also hold you accountable every day to do your best!
4. Get other people involved early on! Seed your idea and solicit feedback, get personal advisors and mentors, and keep them engaged over time — don’t lose or waste away those relationships! (Note: If you can’t maintain a continuous relationship 1-on-1, make sure they are on a mailing list and they can passively maintain that relationship — your name should always be on the top of their mind!)
5. Build your business first, then build your brand! If you’re just building a brand without the solid working business behind it, you are on an unsustainable track! Take all that early excitement and energy, and leverage to building the business and making money!
6. Get some quick and early wins under your belt! Momentum is great for any startup effort!
7. Spend more time doing than thinking! Evolve your business through client work — doing what your clients want, not thinking about what your clients might want!
8. Take plenty of time to better yourself as a person! The healthier you…the more clarity you have…the better you can serve your clients!

That’s all I have for right now (I actually got distracted from my stream of thought), but I hope there is some value in this!