All merchants need help at one time or another. From business funding options, to technology, to employment, the options are endless when it come to the needs of merchants. Some issues are easily solved with Google or a call to your account, while others take more exhaustive searches and inquiries. Some of the best help available can come from other entrepreneurs who have made it through the trenches and persevered in their industries. Below are some tips from some of today’s most successful business leaders.
The first comes from Drew Houston from Dropbox, and his advice helps in our person lives, too: Choose your friends wisely. The wrong business associates can quickly tank your business and reputation. This advice has been quoted by many, including Tim Ferriss, being that “you are the average of your top five friends”.
Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO once told Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO not to ask questions when offered an opportunity that can lead to fast growth. Mrs. Sandberg says “He told me that when picking a job, only one criterion mattered: fast growth. He said, ‘If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, you don’t ask what seat. You just get on”. This matters not only for business opportunities, but also for new alternative business loans. While some tend to stick with the old bank loan standby, others take up new, trendy, fast-producing options for financing.
Vanessa Van Edwards stands by the old adage of seeking new opportunities in everything that comes along. This can come from everything from new technology to new employee training, and even new ways of marketing your business. Take advantage of everything that you can learn about, because you may be surprised about what can benefit your business.
Chase Jarvis’s best advice came from Sir Richard Branson: Fail often. No one wants to fail at business, but a failure can teach you things that you otherwise cannot learn. Failure is not something to be afraid of – and while it is never something that we seek out to do, there is a light at the end of the tunnel if we do fail at something
These are a few examples of how your business buds can help you get through your tough times. While you may not have the opportunity to seek out the advice of today’s biggest and greatest CEOs and COOs, your local business base can help you learn and grow. From local financing solutions to training classes, and even moral support, comrades in the business world can help you overcome many of your problems.