Alex Packham’s Post

The real startup secrets aren’t glamorous. They’re about avoiding common traps, managing risk, and building something that lasts. It’s all about going back to basics. Here’s what every first-time founder should know… Your mind will play tricks on you. It will make you feel confident even when you’re heading toward a mistake. Learn to question your instincts and make decisions rooted in facts, not ego. The best founders stay grounded and aware of their own blind spots. Risk-taking isn’t about jumping in headfirst. Real risk is calculated. It’s knowing the downside and preparing for it. If you can’t see the worst-case scenario clearly, you’re not taking a risk; you’re gambling. Build your business with a plan for every outcome. Luck is a factor in every business. You can do everything right and still fail, or make mistakes and still win. Focus on building a resilient business that can withstand unexpected hits. Accepting randomness as part of the journey keeps you flexible and prepared for anything. Hacks and quick wins won’t build something lasting. Durable success comes from grinding on the fundamentals and putting in the hard, unglamorous work. The real rewards come from consistency and discipline, not the flashy moves it looks like everyone’s chasing. Don’t fall for the cherry-picked success stories. Building a business that lasts is hard and unglamorous. Experienced founders know it’s about making decisions based on reality, not hype. Forget the shortcuts and focus on what matters. When in doubt, go back to basics.

Objectively, there’s no “right” or “wrong” business. There are “intentional” & “unintentional” businesses. Let me explain: Whether you do a startup, Micro-Business or just work for someone else to build their business doesn’t matter. Some people love the emotional rollercoaster & high stakes of a startup. Some prefer to join a business to have the security of a salary, whilst also feeling part of something bigger than themselves. Others want the unbridled freedom of a Micro-Business with no employees, few meetings, less complexity, etc., that can come with it. Do what suits you. Who am I to say one is better than the other. What I will say, however, is that you must be intentional: Intentional in choosing which path you want to choose before you step on to it. Otherwise you will find yourself a few years down the line working on a business you don’t really recognise, doing things that don’t give you joy, or feel far away from the vision you set out to achieve. I know this because I found myself here 2 years into building my first venture-backed startup, BackTracker. Be clear on what you want from a business: Is it making millions? Is it just low-level financial freedom (£3k a month so you can quit your job)? Or freedom of time to go windsurfing every afternoon? Or networking with the world’s best & brightest? Just be clear on whatever it is. Then filter the kind of business you want to build accordingly.

Here are the biggest reasons people think they can’t start a business: Lack of Clarity It’s hard to believe if you do not know what you’re doing. You need some idea of what services to offer, what path to follow, and what goals to set. Stuck? Join communities, read books, and connect with weapons. Lack of clarity = lack of inspiration. Overcomplicate Getting Started The only thing you need to start a business? 1. Product/service solving a pain point 2. Paying customer Forget the LLC, tax return, website, and logo. Until you have your first customer, that’s nothing but procrastination. Perfectionism Paralysis The #1 thing I see holding wantrepreneurs back? Perfectionism. They need the perfect logo, perfect offer, perfect website, and perfect product. No wonder they never get anywhere. Get going, then get good. Done > perfect. Perceived Funding Requirements It’s crazy how many people think you need VC or a rich family to start a business — especially today. You can hire overseas, access an army of digital robots for free, and use AI. You don’t need funding. You need creativity. Picking a Hard Business Elon Musk said: “Running a start-up is like chewing glass and staring into the abyss.” Why make the journey any harder? Pick something you enjoy with low capital/labor requirements and high leverage. The journey is hard enough as it is. How to prove they can start a business: We’ve gone over the reasons people can’t start a business. Now, how do you actually prove you can do it? Let’s get into it (Hint: it doesn’t come from shouting affirmations in front of your mirror): Find Exciting Ideas I wouldn’t be where I am if I didn’t love what I did. I found what I love, what I’m good at, what the world needs, and what I can be paid for. Ship Fast and Iterate The best entrepreneurs ship FAST. They ship. Get feedback. Iterate. Relentlessly. Wantrepreneurs wait for the perfect idea, keep perfecting their product, and never ship. Result? They don’t prove anything to anyone. Don’t be a wantrepreneur. Leverage Systems Systems separate the great entrepreneurs from the mediocre ones. I have systems for everything - content creation, hiring, managing - you name it, I have a system for it.

There’s a unique challenge that comes with sharing your business idea. You worry someone might steal it or dismiss it. But the truth is, keeping your ideas locked away can leave you trying to bring them to life all on your own. And while pursuing a big vision is hard, doing it alone is even harder. Sharing your idea can open doors, attract allies, and build momentum you couldn’t achieve solo. Yes, there’s always the chance someone could act on your idea faster than you or even land funding ahead of you. They might take your vision and run with it as their own startup. But don’t let that stop you. If the idea was given to you, then you are the one best suited to carry it through, even if the journey is longer or the path steeper. Keep pushing, trust in the process, and stay true to your vision. With consistency and faith, you can overcome the odds. I believe that every vision has its time, and when yours comes, your persistence will be the foundation of its success. Let the fear of others acting on your idea motivate you to go further, knowing that the right doors will open at the right time.

𝗔𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗕2𝗕 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽, 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 ! Every company has a story, but not every founder realizes just how powerful sharing it can be. Starting a business is tough. Early on, all you’ve got is an idea, a vision, and a determination to make an impact. But your vision, the risks you took, the setbacks you learned from, and the strengths you’ve built along the way, those things connects people to your brand. Think about it: 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼. When you share your journey, you’re letting them see the real, human side of your business. They get a glimpse of what you stand for and why you’re building what you’re building. It’s about inviting people into the story behind it. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗯𝗻𝗯 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲. They didn’t start with a big team or a fancy site; they started with a simple idea, air mattresses to help cover rent. By being open about that journey, they built trust and invited people into something new and exciting. 𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿, 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵. Share the vision, the hurdles, and the mission driving your business. It helps people see the vision behind your product and gives them a reason to believe in what you’re building, even before they experience it firsthand.

Startups are hard. They are taxing. They are also a ton of fun and having the right person next to you in the trenches makes all the difference. A few thoughts for anyone contemplating a SaaS build or co-founder: 1. One with an insatiable work ethic and innate grit (the word "quit" isn't one they understand) 2. Someone complementary on core values, ethics, shared vision and desired outcome for the business 3. A core understanding of the unique problem being solved by the business and how that translates to the buyer persona / TAM. 4. Variation of skill set - find someone who's great where you may not be. This is critical in the early days. 5. Minimal ego (great people are confident and sharp), but humility is a must - disagreements will arise and how those viewpoints are communicated is paramount. Like any good marriage, healthy conflict is great. 6. Stage relevancy and experience is critical - big company motions and operational application are difficult to translate when the early days require resource scarcity and capital efficiency. 7. Find someone who's seen the movie before (if possible). 8. Passion for the mission and an insane passion to win 9. Find a friend and a family. Someone you want to ride the highs and the lows - there will be mountains and valley. I'm super grateful to have found the above in Daniel Hellerman as we built Saleo from the ground up with Alexey Svetliakov. We've had a wild ride and 2024 is shaping up to be another banner year. Good times ahead!

As a founder, you wear many hats. But in the initial stages, there are three crucial aspects that become the bedrock of your company's success: your hustle, your vision, and your commitment to value. The Hustle is Your Seed Capital: Forget funding rounds in the early days. Your relentless effort is what gets you off the ground. Be prepared to wear multiple hats, learn new skills on the fly, and put in the extra hours to make your vision a reality. Remember, every milestone, every completed task, is a brick laid in the foundation of your dream. Your Thinking Pattern Shapes Your Culture: The way you approach problems, the decisions you make, and your overall perspective – these become the guiding principles for your company culture. As you build your team, your thought patterns will trickle down, fostering a work ethic and environment that reflects your core values. Branding & Delivery: The Currency of Trust: In a crowded marketplace, standing out requires a unique brand identity that resonates with your target audience. But a powerful brand is meaningless without consistent, high-quality delivery. Every interaction, every product, every service is a promise kept. Building trust through exceptional experiences is how you turn customers into loyal brand advocates. The Takeaway: Your initial efforts pave the way, your vision shapes the journey, and your commitment to value builds enduring success. By focusing on these three pillars, you can transform your hustle into a thriving company that weathers the storms and stands out in the long run. Let's spark a conversation! What has been your biggest learning curve as an entrepreneur? Share your experiences in the comments, and let's keep the fire of innovation alive! #entrepreneur #startuplife #businesstips #vision #culture #branding #delivery

Building a business is romanticized to the point of delusion. So why does anyone do it? Speaking for myself. This is why: Control: To the limit that we are in control of anything in life...building a business makes me feel most in control of my life. The outcomes are on me. My levels of success and failure are on me. There is something I find comforting in knowing my fate is in no one else's hands but my own (and the market). Purpose: Building startups has given me a really strong sense of purpose. I enjoy the work. I enjoy solving complex problems for customers. These things make me feel like I'm serving the world positively. Community: I have met some extraordinary people during the journey. The people that make up the space are extremely impressive and I have learned a ton from them all. Really enjoy being a member of the larger founder/entrepreneurial space. Feels like home. Authenticity: This space allows me to live in my most authentic self. It allows me to express who I am and live in a way that aligns with me. No better opportunity to find out who you are than to start a business. If you’re willing to commit to the process. Then it can be one of the greatest adventures of your life. Just be prepared for the ride ahead because at some point it will be bumpy. Maybe REALLY bumpy. It's part of the deal. --- Hey, I’m Nelson, Founder of TeachOne. If you like this content, give me a follow for regularly scheduled posts about startups, businesses, and life.

Here are 8 More Things First Time Founders Should Know Starting a business is a challenging and often unpredictable journey, but with the right mindset and preparation, it can be incredibly rewarding. Here are ten essential points to keep in mind if you're considering launching your own startup: (1) Raise money the right way. There are regulatory and business rules around fundraising, and plenty to learn and practice before you can do it correctly. Avoid brokers and finders, and steer clear of anyone who promises help without investing their own money or effort. Always seek legal advice. (2) Keep meticulous records. Never run a company without a bookkeeping system from day one. Organize and save records of every transaction and expense diligently. (3) Understand vesting. Vesting isn’t optional, and even founders’ shares should vest over time with a cliff. Familiarize yourself with these terms and plan for the departure of founders and key employees well in advance, rather than in the midst of a termination or resignation. (4) Commit to continuous learning. Deeply understand your market, customers, competition, technology, and trends. Read extensively, network, and stay updated with the latest news. (5) Build on past inventions. Everything worth doing has been attempted before, and most successful new approaches are already established. If you believe you have no peers, predecessors, or competition, you’re either mistaken or pursuing something insignificant. (6) Embrace imitation. There’s no shame in copying others. Whatever you do can be replicated. Strive to be the best, not necessarily the first or most original. (7) Play your own game. You can’t outdo the world’s best on their own terms, so create a different game with rules they can’t follow. Serve their customers ten times better, cheaper, and with something more compelling—that’s the margin required to beat an incumbent. (8) Recognize failure as a symptom. Startups die when they run out of money, but that’s not the core issue. The real problem lies in bad decisions, unaddressed systemic flaws, and a lack of preparation and proactive planning for when things go wrong.

REALISTIC lessons from a first year startup founder: 1) Pulling all nighters will not drive your business forward like you think it will😴 For me, getting 7-8 hours of sleep has been key to not losing my marbles completely😂 2) There will be some small high moments📈but MANY more and even greater lows📉 There’s been days Train App has gained almost 50 users in a day, and there’s been a day when we’ve lost them all too. 3) People will constantly ask how business is going, and whether I’ve gained 50 users or lost them all, my answer always remains the same… “Slowly but surely, we’re getting there” - All about mindset🧠 4) Building a personal brand is key - I’d estimate half of our users have come from my personal Tik Tok documenting my business journey and from great conversations from warm outreach with coaches. Even gained a team member from it too Kyran Forrester 🤝 5) Learn when and who to take advice from🗣️ If Brenda from down the road who has never owned a business tries to give me business advice it’s going in one ear and out the other… (Sorry Brenda). On the other hand, If my old man Jay Astill talks me through important cyber-security stuff, I’m listening 100% (Which has helped me answer some important questions in some big meetings). 6) In business “No” doesn’t mean no… it means “Not right now” “No funding for it” “I haven’t bought into you yet” The amount of times I’ve asked the same question multiple times to the same person before getting the answer I need… you’d think I was in door to door sales😅 Got any other golden nuggets for someone starting out in business? Drop them below👇🏼