How I Run My Startup

Sara Blakely, CEO of Spanx, said, “Embrace what you don’t know, especially in the beginning, because what you don’t know can become your greatest asset. It ensures that you will be doing things absolutely differently from everybody else.”

I’m still in my first year of business. As expected, growth is slow and steady, yet promising. Before I read Blakely’s quote back in September 2015, I already made the decision to run my business in whatever way felt right to me. I wasn’t interested in how other people in my profession were running their practices. Being in the corporate world for almost 20 years, I was on the client end of these businesses so I had some familiarity with how things were generally run. I didn’t like it. Communication wasn’t adequate, responsiveness was unpredictable, availability was limited, and the fees were high.

Early on, my business philosophy was one where I was going to treat every client’s business as if it were my own. I was going to make myself available during times when most people in my profession aren’t. Someone at a networking event said, “Don’t do that. They’ll be calling you on weekends. Nothing can get solved during the weekend.” I respectfully disagree. One of my aims is to help small business owners. Being one myself, the worry and stress happens 7 days a week. It doesn’t rest on the weekends. If a client calls me on a Saturday with a question or concern about their business and I can, at the very least, give them solutions, clarity, or a plan of action, something WAS solved. Their stress level. They might be able to enjoy the remainder of the weekend, knowing that the issue will be quashed on Monday.

My cousin, a fellow CPA, told me about a book he read called “Start With Why”, by Simon Sinek. The basic premise of the book explains how to inspire others with ideas. It asks you what your “why” is. What inspires you to do what you do? He told me that when he sees me talk to others about my business, it’s abundantly clear what my “why” is. I don’t talk about WHAT I can do, but rather WHY I’m doing it. Most people know what an accountant can do. The same can be said about plumbers, lawyers, web designers, pool cleaners, and pretty much any other profession. It’s the “why” that lands you the business. People usually choose you to buy a product or service from because of YOU. If they see your “why” and like your “why”, you will get the business.

Although my way of running my business might be outside of the norm, I’m very happy. I’m marching to the beat of my own drum. My clients are exceptionally happy. Yes, the basic goal of a business is to make money. But, having delighted clients is the true source of my happiness.

So my advice to startups? Read the opening quote of this blog over and over again. Don’t be negligent, but don’t be bent on learning every single “do” and “don’t” for your business. Do what feels right. Everyone is going to have an opinion and advice for you. Take it all into consideration, of course, but choose a course of action that will make you and your customers happy. Stand out from the crowd and you WILL get noticed.