When can you expect your business to ‘take off’

Jul 2, 2018

How to predict and measure start-up success

You’ve been waiting for The Moment.

The moment when finally, finally you feel like you’ve made it. When you can look at yourself in the mirror and say, with confidence, “I am successful.”

But, wait, when is that moment again?

Is it when …

  • You hit six figures?
  • You have a team of people behind you?
  • You’ve been in business five years?
  • You’re featured in the Forbes Top 25 list?

Is that when your business has officially taken off?

Or is success more of a moving target – something that shifts and changes as soon as you get too close?

 

The truth about start-up success

In my former life, I worked in international advertising agencies, managing high-profile accounts for what many would deem to be exceptionally successful businesses.

During this time – and in my eleven yeaars as the creator and graphic designer behind Lollipop Creative – I was exposed to a variety of businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups.

I even helped some of them become online success stories by building them beautiful websites that effortlessly converted their dream customers!

Here’s what I learned:

  • Success looks different for everybody.
  • Success isn’t just about the goals you’ve achieved … it’s about how you feel.

 

Tips for start-up success

Create your own definition of success.

Hone in on your own personal beliefs and be willing to explore what true success would look and feel like for you.

 

For example, for me success comes from having the freedom to collaborate with amazing female entrepreneurs (and help them succeed!) … While having the flexibility to spend quality time with my family.

 

So ask yourself:

  • What does your ideal life look like? What are you doing? How do you spend your time? What hours do you work? Where do you work? What type of work do you do? How much money do you earn?

 

Measure success by your parameters.

 

Now that you know what success looks like for you, it’s time to inject some goal-setting methodology into it.

 

I would start by defining the parameters of your success, including benchmarks and milestones that step you from where you are to where you want to be.

For example, let’s say you want your business to pay off your mortgage for you.

You can set milestones for $1,000, $5,000, $10,000 and so on until you reach your goal.

This way you get to feel successful during the journey – not just when you reach your final goal!

 

 Don’t compare your journey.

Eyeing up a similar business and wondering why THEY have everything you want?

 

Stop, lady, it’s a trap! Seriously.

 

Besides the fact that you have no clue what goes on behind the scenes of somebody else’s business, it is impossible to compare your business – and success – with somebody else’s.

 

You’re two different people running two different businesses on two different journeys with two separate definitions of success.

 

(Phew, that was a mouthful.)

Instead, focus on your journey. If this means unfollowing certain people from social media, or unsubscribing from their mailing list so you don’t fall into comparison-itis … do it.

Protect your sanity.

 

Believe in yourself.

You can do this. Look how far you have come already! Did you ever imagine, a year or five year’s ago, that you’d be here?

Yep. You’re pretty incredible.

So when the going gets tough, give yourself a mental shake and remember why you’re doing this thing.

It’s because …

  • You know you have something special to share with the world.
  • You know you have the skills, talents and capabilities to succeed (if you don’t believe that yet, I’ll believe it for you).
  • You want a better lifestyle.
  • You want success … on your terms.

Now go get it, girl!

 

Ready to write your success story?

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