Any entrepreneur can tell you, launching a startup is a learning process. Therefore, one of the best things you can do prior to launching a startup of your own is to learn from those who have blazed the trail. We were fortunate enough to hear some valuable insights during our interview with Keeley Edens and Jessica Gaughan of Plan Voyage that will inspire, motivate, and teach aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike.
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
“Start by spitballing the craziest, unrealistic idea you can think of. Seriously — off-the-wall ideas that seem impossible. It will push your brain to think outside the box, and expand your thoughts to ‘Wait … we can’t do that, but we can actually do this.”
What is the best method you’ve found to avoid burnout as an entrepreneur?
“A lot of people will tell you ‘find time doing something you love,’ but in our opinion, it’s finding time to do something mindless. Watching TV, doing a puzzle, running, coloring, or even sitting outside and watching the dang clouds. Turning your brain off and/or steering it away from what you’re working on has been one of our best strategies. We usually come back easily understanding the solution to a problem we’ve been working on for hours.”
What is your advice for coming up with a unique startup idea?
“Think of what you’re most passionate about. Not what you ‘like’ doing, because you’ll end up hating that ‘hobby.’ What is something you are good at, truly interested in, enjoy learning more about, and could talk about for hours with people who also enjoy the same thing. Now find a problem with that industry and find a solution for it. All great startups are solutions to common problems.”
What is your advice for overcoming challenges and failure?
“Pivot and keep moving — it isn’t a failure until you quit.”
What is the biggest lesson you learned and what can aspiring entrepreneurs take from it?
“You can’t know it all — and that’s okay. Just because you don’t know something or haven’t been able to figure out a solution doesn’t mean you quit. Lean on your network.”
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Be patient. There will be times you’ll get frustrated because your first plans A through G don’t work out right away, but this is a process, and it will take time, so set your expectations appropriately.”
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