When we first start a business we have all these ideas about what we are going to achieve. Creating the business, market research, MVP, when we are going to trade, how quickly we are going to grow- the list is endless. And it is never how we imagined. Curve balls are thrown at each and every stage. The Maple Agency asked some of our younger business enterprise clients about their expectation’s of starting a new business versus the reality. 

Expectation: "I can do it all by myself"

Many of our clients had the expectation they could do it all by themselves, but throughout the process they realised they had totally underestimated how much work entrepreneurial activities actually involved. One client said; "there always seems to appear new complications that need to be tackled for the process to be efficiently operating.”

Expectation: "I'll have a lot more free time"

Another common expectation was that clients running their own businesses would have a lot more free time. The reality was that people underestimated the effort and skills required at each stage of a business. One client told us that they quickly realised; "one person simply cannot possess all the needed abilities suggesting external support is often/always necessary.”

Expectation: "I have an idea, so I'll just make that product and sell it"

A third expectation was that clients thought it would be simple to have an idea, make a product and then sell it, but the reality was much different. A client said; “as time went on I realised that I had a lot of gaps in the information and I wanted to fill them in before selling my products.” 

Why are we telling you this? 

At The Maple Agency, we believe that if you go into business with your eyes wide open managing your expectations, you are more prepared and stand a greater chance of succeeding. Below are some of our top tips for getting started in business.

Set SMART objectives 

With a clear strategy you can achieve success. Set SMART objectives then execute your plan with targeted actions, every step you take adds up. However, be prepared for when these timescales shift, nothing is set in stone. You need to go into your project fully aware of what could go wrong and allow for delays where possible. Evaluate progress at every stage and clearly communicate your expectations throughout the chain.

Less is more

Be gentle on yourself. So much of running a start-up business is YOU so take time out, recharge mentally, emotionally and physically. Loose those ‘got to do’ and ‘should’ scripts and replace them with ‘I matter’, ‘it can wait’. Some of our greatest eureka moments come when we are relaxed and enjoying ourselves.

Tell your story

Be real, share your thoughts about your journey, your highs and lows. Impart some knowledge by creating a blog and vlog where you can bring your business ideas to life and share top tips and things you have learnt with an audience. It’s more likely to build a committed community, people will share their insight along the way and you will empower others.

You are brilliant

Having a positive mindset in those early years of running a business is crucial. Celebrate your successes every day, no matter how small they are. Focus on what you want to attract into your life. It’s easy to be hard on yourself when something doesn’t go the way you expect. You have to let it go, if you find yourself telling the story more than once STOP. The more you tell the story the more you attach to it. YOU are the creator of your story so switch it up!

We have yet to meet a business that hasn’t experienced a setback. It’s normal to be derailed – almost obligatory as a start-up! It makes us stronger, more resilient and able to cope with the journey ahead.

As Kierhardy from Skate It Yourself once said: "Things are fluid, almost unpredictable at times. This can be a good thing, if you can operate flexibly you can meet extra demand fast and adapt to the climate. There are opportunities in these moments if you can stop long enough to appreciate them."

Always look for the rainbow!

Let us help you manage your business expectations.

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