five (5) pieces of advice as a small business owner
I started Pa’lante from scratch in 2018 - I was 23-years-old, living in a closet in LA, with negative dollars in my bank account. I was poorly-equipped with business sense but well-equipped in grit, self-confidence, and vision. I had nothing to lose, which probably played to my advantage. Though trial + error, it’s certainly been a bumpy road but the joy is in the journey - overcoming challenges alone has been one of the greatest gifts of my life.
Eight years later, Pa’lante is a humble, yet happy and stable, small-business. So, if you’re just getting started on your small-business journey, this is my love note to you.
Here are five (5) pieces of advice as a small-business owner:
Have a second income until you get off the ground. Whether that’s having multiple jobs, a financially supportive partner, a government stipend, etc. One of the greatest perks of owning your own business is the freedom it offers. Don’t dig yourself into a hole-of-debt in an effort to fly. Grow your wings, then stick it to the man.
Move intuitively. Your brand and your product are pieces of art. On the road to a masterpiece, you’ll have roadblocks, and even “happy accidents,” that invite you to change directions. Stay open to the truth of the moment. Get inspired by chance encounters, write down your shower thoughts, and follow what excites you everyday.
Don’t outgrow the joy. The beauty of a small-business is that authenticity, connection, and grit DO work. Don’t sell your soul to the latest technology, managing a hefty payroll, or growing a social media presence for the sake of “scaling.” When it’s small, it’s manageable. And, when it’s manageable, it’s fun.
Collaborate with masters of their craft. No one person can do everything on their own. So partner with creatives + masterminds who bring something special to the table. As a small-business owner, you get to be the roots of a much larger tree of life. Create an environment for others to blossom, too.
Just get started. Execute the day you get the idea. You may not go-to-market with every project. But you’ll be surprised at how much flows when you’re constantly creating. Nothing is ever perfect. So get comfortable with being a little messy at first and refine as you go.
And a reminder that the day we plant the seed is not the day we eat the fruit. The road is long but the gift is sweet. Keep going… Sigue Pa’lante.
Abrazos,
Jax