One way to do it
It’s been 10 years since I quit my job and started 5+8. I didn’t want to write a self-serving script about how we’ve made it through so many struggles and look at us now—even though that’s true, and you’re more than welcome to look at us now. I’d prefer to write about simplifying the concept of starting a business and tell some truths that I feel are less often shared. I believe these truths are concealed because they may demystify the Awesomeness of the Entrepreneur. And, though I'd love for you to be mystified by my awesomeness, you shouldn't be. Please enjoy my observations on one way to start a business.
“Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says ‘Make Me Feel Important.”
You don’t need to be Steve Jobs (and thank God for that). Mr. Jobs is the father of the modern entrepreneur. He was a visionary, a tireless worker, and—most likely—a SOB. It obviously worked for him. It’s important to learn and take pieces from visionaries like Jobs, Bezos, and Musk, but we shouldn't take it all. When I started, I thought you had to be a bit of a jerk to get things done. It's imperative to include Howard Schultz, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Richard Branson on these lists. They have prioritized kindness and open-mindedness. Jobs’ way is one way to do it. There are other ways, too.
“The darkest hour in any man’s life is when he sits down to plan how to get money without earning it.”
You don’t need money (and you definitely don’t need anyone else’s). We started 5+8 with no money. I think I had about six weeks of salary lined up. Not even two months. This is not a good idea, and I do not recommend it. That said, it's possible to do it with no money. While holding down our full-time jobs, Jeff and I worked early mornings, nights, and weekends on freelance projects for almost 10 years. We slowly built up a large enough base of clients that we felt we could survive off. You don’t need money to start, but it helps. And don’t give up equity to anyone unless you have no other option.
“Everyone has a plan ‘till they get punched in the mouth.”
You don’t need a plan (right away anyway). I did start with a business plan. However, the more I planned and read about starting a business, the more mile-wide holes I found in my plan. So I did what any naïve and optimistic person does: I stopped planning and started doing. When you start a business, you get figuratively punched in the mouth daily, and a plan is just not very applicable in the beginning. I have a plan now. I have a vision statement, values, and annual goals. I’m all in on that stuff now, but I wasn’t then. And it's a good thing, because I never would have started. It was better that I quit planning the business than quit the business.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
You don’t need to do it alone. Entrepreneurship is viewed as a one-player game. I don’t like one-player games. I think they’re fun at first, but once I get stuck, I just want to quit. I unexpectedly partnered with Jeff. We got an intern because we were busy. We hired our first employee because we liked her. We then started to find better clients. You need those, too. Without great clients you can't do great work. We've tried.
“You’re my family”
We were subconsciously building something—step by step. We were building a company. It has been slow. We hire one employee per year. We fire one client per year. Our team and our clients get stronger every year. This is ours, and we're building it carefully. We get to decide where, how, and who we want to bring along for the ride.
I am not gifted. We are not on any exclusive lists. We are not the fastest growing anything. No one chose me or us. I don’t have any secrets. All I have is lessons leaned and trials tested. All we have is our trust in each other. We are a pack that works together. We believe in each other. We love one another. We show up every day. We produce good work. We kick ass. And this is how we do it.
“This is how we do it.”
