40 Proven Tips for New Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

Being an entrepreneur and launching a small business is challenging. At times it may feel nearly impossible, but it isn’t. If you’re passionate about starting your own business and committed to making it happen, practical advice from those who’ve gone before you can make a big difference. We asked successful entrepreneurs and small business owners to share the best guidance they would give to new founders. Below are actionable tips to help turn a promising idea into a viable, profitable business.

Persistence Pays Off

Building a successful business takes time and patience. Early progress can be slow, and external factors may delay traction. “The paths to success are still the same, but … persistence is really going to pay off,” says James Canzanella, owner of Isolated Marketing Nights. Expect gradual progress and stay committed.

Do Something Original

While copying successful products worked historically for some brands, today originality matters more than ever. “When first starting out, I looked at other competitors and simply copied what they did as it felt safe,” says Amit Gami of Business Waste Guru. He wishes he had trusted his own ideas. Build something distinct that addresses a real need rather than imitating others.

Make Sure You Like Your Business

Entrepreneurship involves hard work and setbacks. Choose an industry you enjoy so you can sustain effort through highs and lows. “Any business will have ups and downs, but if you are in an industry you are passionate about, you will be able to ride those highs and lows better,” says Meg Marrs of K-9 of Mine.

Keep Your Eye on Your Target Audience

Focus is crucial. “Starve your distractions and feed your focus,” says Jennifer Sargeant of Digital Sargeant. Immerse yourself in information about your industry and ideal customers, and filter out distractions that won’t move the business forward.

Pretend Someone Is Trying to Make You Fail

Motivate yourself by imagining a competitor trying to undermine your business. “Fight for your business every minute of the day as if someone is trying to take it away from you,” Sargeant advises. This mindset helps you anticipate pressure points and proactively strengthen weak areas.

Write a Business Plan

Almost every expert recommends creating a business plan. “Even if you’re bootstrapping, write a business plan for yourself,” says John Bedford of Viva Flavor. Set measurable targets across the business—from launch to financial stability—to provide benchmarks you can evaluate and adapt as doubts arise.

Say Yes

Be open to opportunities. “Jump at opportunities and figure out how to do them on the fly,” says Brian Robben of Robben Media. Saying yes expands your experience, helps grow your client base and forces you to learn or hire the skills needed to deliver.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Waiting for perfection delays growth. Launch, gather feedback, and iterate. “You need to get your product or service out in the world — it will never be perfectly ready until you have some feedback from your customers,” says Simon Slade of SaleHoo. Real customer feedback drives meaningful improvements faster than endless tweaking behind closed doors.

Gather Data

Collect metrics specific to your business as early as possible. “No data will be as useful as concrete metrics about your specific business,” Slade says. The numbers provide insight into what’s working and what needs change.

And Listen to It

Data rarely lies. “The data will never, ever lie to you,” says Brandon C White. Use testing—A/B tests, email subject lines, social posts—and follow what the metrics indicate rather than relying solely on gut feeling.

Test the Waters on Kickstarter

Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter can validate demand for a product before you invest heavily. “Crowdfunding is a social barometer of interest,” says Daniel Juhl Mogensen of Kodyl.com. Present a solid plan and clear value proposition when testing public interest.

Listen to Feedback

Don’t dismiss critical feedback. “The biggest cause of startup failure is the inventor feeling they do not need feedback,” says David Carmell of DealRockit. Thick skin and a willingness to act on feedback are essential.

Believe in Yourself

Confidence matters. “Act with the confidence that you have 10 customers on a waiting list, even if you don’t,” says Bret Murphy Hunt. A confident mindset helps you hold firm on pricing and principles while building traction.

Have a Mission Statement

A concise mission and core values align your team and guide decisions. “Keep it simple and real,” says Ken Rusk. Make sure everyone knows the mission and that daily actions support that purpose.

Define Your Value Proposition

Identify precisely why customers should choose you. “Until entrepreneurs know what compels people to say yes, marketing spend is wasted,” says Bryan Clayton of GreenPal. Test messaging to learn the specific benefits that resonate most—price, convenience, speed, or another factor.

Don’t Forget to Have Fun With Others

Entrepreneurship can be isolating. Preserve your social life to protect your energy and creativity. John Bedford advises budgeting time and money to maintain social connections—your wellbeing fuels your business.

Exploit Your Strengths

Focus resources on areas where you have expertise. “Put your money and time where your expertise is,” says Calloway Cook. Outsource or learn other skills as needed, but play to your strengths first.

Let Everyone in Your Network Know What You’re Doing

Spread the word early. “Leverage your network,” says Bobby Reed. Tell friends, family, and professional contacts about your offering—your first customers often come from people who already know and trust you.

Make the Big Decisions First

Establish broad goals and values early so smaller choices are easier to make. “Make the broadest decisions first so you can rely on those as an anchor,” says Spencer Barclay. This creates consistency in decision-making and operations.

Build or Find a Community

Join or create communities of entrepreneurs to share knowledge and encouragement. “Look for specific ways to add value to people in your network,” says Bruce Harpham. Small investments in networking events can pay off in relationships and insight.

Start Fostering a Good Culture

Company culture affects retention and innovation. Encourage team members to propose improvements and remove barriers to doing better. Justin Eugene Evans recommends consistent one-on-one conversations to surface ideas and create a culture of continuous improvement.

‘Ask and Listen’

Ask customers, advisors, and professionals for input—and really listen. “Ask your customers how you can serve them better. Listen,” says Amy Pocsik. Receptive leaders learn faster and avoid costly blindspots.

Figure Out Why People Should Care

If you don’t care about your product, others won’t either. “Every great business is built on a great story,” says Paige Arnof-Fenn. Define who you are, why you exist, and craft a compelling narrative customers can relate to.

Always Test on Real Customers

Test with paying customers, not just friends or family. “Once a real customer pays real money for your service, then you have a business,” notes Arnof-Fenn. Real transactions validate demand and reveal genuine product-market fit.

Find a Business You Admire, and Reach Out

Contact companies you admire and ask for short conversations to learn from their success. Amir Atigehehchi says many respected businesses responded and provided helpful insights that influenced his early decisions.

Take a Day Off

Regular rest boosts productivity and reduces stress. Andrew Taylor found that taking a weekly day off improved his energy and focus—small habits like this sustain long-term performance.

Avoid Quick Fixes and Shortcuts

Resist shiny-object syndrome. “Stick to your guns and hold strong,” advises Ethan Hyde. Focus on mastering your core offering instead of chasing every promising shortcut that appears.

Don’t Go All-In Right Away

If possible, keep your day job while validating and growing the business. “Starting in your spare time reduces financial stress,” says David Walter. Steady income lets you test ideas with less pressure.

Start Small, Get Big

Narrow niches often create the clearest paths to growth. “The smaller the niche, the more opportunity to capture that space completely,” says Sean Nguyen. Solve a specific problem exceptionally well and expand from there.

Scale Digitally With a Good SEO Strategy

Invest in SEO to make your business discoverable online. Kevin Miller recommends high-quality content and keyword research to uncover opportunities and drive sustainable organic traffic.

Make Feedback Easy

Make it simple for customers to provide feedback—live chat, reviews, and accessible social channels help. “If a customer has feedback or an issue, it’s easy to communicate and improve,” says Amy Voloshin of Printfresh.

Talk With an Accountant and Structure Things Correctly

Get financial advice early. “Work with an accountant who explains things clearly and helps structure your business and tax strategy,” says Amy Bradbury. Sound financial planning reduces surprises and frees mental space.

Be Able to Adapt

Markets and technologies change fast. Invest in digital skills and stay flexible. “Adaptability and flexibility help teams keep up with sudden changes,” says Mazen Aloul. Be ready to pivot when necessary.

Focus on Retention

Keeping customers matters as much as acquiring them. “Retention is more important than acquisition [sometimes],” says Alexa Lampasona. Add immediate value and stay relevant so customers keep choosing you during tough times.

Be Authentic

Authenticity resonates. “Remain true to who you are,” says Tex Dworkin. Consumers detect insincerity easily—genuine value and honest storytelling form the foundation of lasting customer relationships.

Sell More Than a Product

When you sell a product, you’re also selling values and a story. Mike McGregor recommends investing in storytelling that explains how your product was made and why it matters. This helps customers connect purchases to their own values.

Keep Savings

Maintain an emergency fund for your business. Martin Glenday recounts how savings helped his company recover after Hurricane Katrina. Resourcefulness and reserve cash improve resilience in crises.

Take Care of Yourself

Protect your physical and mental health. “When first starting a business, you are everything,” says Zach Hyman. Prioritize self-care and family—sustained performance depends on sustainable energy, not constant burnout.

Get Your Contracts in Order

Well-drafted contracts protect you from misunderstandings and liability. “Make sure your contracts are well-thought-out and protect your interests,” advises Hyman. Solid legal documents safeguard relationships with customers, vendors, and partners.

Start Now

Most experts wish they had begun sooner. You don’t have to dive in full-time immediately, but take the first practical steps now—test, learn, and iterate. “We aren’t born knowing how to do all the things you need to have in place to have a successful business,” says Heather Elise. Start small, learn quickly, and keep moving forward.