The Whos Who and How to, when starting a business...and winning (Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey...)
Updated: May 15
Business Starting Tips: The Whos Who and How to, when starting a business...and winning
By: Sarah, Contributor on BrilliantBridges.com

Starting a business is both thrilling and terrifying. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to turn an idea into a successful company. However, with the right mindset, strategies, and determination, anyone can do it. In this blog post, I will share my experience of growing a marketing company from nothing into a 10-figure company and provide insights into what it takes to start and grow a business.
My name is Sarah, and I am the founder of a successful marketing agency that provides services to businesses of all sizes. It all started with a simple idea and a desire to create something that could help businesses grow. Here are some of the things that helped me build my company from the ground up:
Tip #1 - Find a niche and become an expert in it
One of the most important things I learned early on was the importance of finding a niche and becoming an expert in it. This means understanding the specific needs and pain points of a particular industry or target audience and tailoring your services to meet those needs.
For example, when I started my marketing agency, I focused on helping small businesses with their digital marketing needs. I spent a lot of time learning about the latest digital marketing trends and strategies and applying that knowledge to help my clients grow their businesses.
"Your brand is what other people say about you when you're not in the room..." – Jeff Bezos
I was not alone in this approach. According to an article by Forbes, many successful businesses start by focusing on a niche and becoming an expert in that area. For example, Apple started by creating computers for designers and artists, and Amazon started by selling books online.
Tip #2 - Build a strong team
Building a strong team is essential to the success of any business. As your company grows, you will need to hire talented individuals who can help you take your business to the next level. This means finding people who share your vision, values, and work ethic.
When I started my company, I was a one-person operation. However, as my client base grew, I realized that I needed to hire more people to help me manage the workload. I started by hiring a part-time assistant and eventually built a team of talented marketers who shared my passion for helping businesses grow.
According to an article by Inc., building a strong team requires hiring people who are not only talented but also fit in with your company culture. This means finding people who share your values, work ethic, and vision for the company.
"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." – Oprah Winfrey
Tip #3 - Focus on providing value
One of the most important things I learned about growing a successful business is the importance of providing value to your clients. This means going above and beyond to deliver results that exceed their expectations.
For example, when I started my marketing agency, I focused on providing value to my clients by offering them personalized marketing strategies that were tailored to their specific needs. I spent a lot of time getting to know their businesses and their target audience, which allowed me to create effective marketing campaigns that helped them achieve their goals.
According to an article by Entrepreneur, providing value to your clients is essential to building a successful business. This means going above and beyond to deliver results that exceed their expectations and building a strong relationship based on trust and respect.
Tip #4 - Be willing to take risks
"Take risks. You will never be able to create something truly original if you're not willing to take risks and innovate." – Biz Stone co-founder of Twitter
Starting and growing a business requires taking risks. This means stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things that may or may not work. However, taking risks can also lead to great rewards.
For example, when I started my marketing agency, I took a risk by quitting my job and starting my own business. I had no idea if it would be successful or not, but I was willing to take the risk because I believed in my idea and my ability to make it work.
According to an article by Forbes, taking risks is essential to building a successful business. This means being willing to step out of your comfort zone and try new things, even if they may not work
Tip #5 - Have a strong work ethic
Building a successful business takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It means putting in long hours, staying focused on your goals, and never giving up, even when things get tough.
When I started my marketing agency, I worked long hours to build my client base and provide the best possible service to my clients. I was willing to do whatever it took to make my business successful, and I never gave up, even when faced with challenges and setbacks.
"When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor." - Elon Musk, entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla
According to an article by Forbes, having a strong work ethic is essential to building a successful business. It means being willing to put in the time and effort required to achieve your goals and never giving up, even when things get tough.
In Conclusion: You got this!
Starting and growing a business takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and determination. It requires taking risks, building a strong team, providing value to your clients, having a clear vision and mission, being adaptable, and having a strong work ethic. While it's not easy, the rewards of building a successful business are well worth it.
As someone who has grown a marketing company from nothing into a 10-figure company, I can tell you that the journey is challenging but incredibly rewarding. If you have an idea for a business, I encourage you to take the leap and start your own company. With the right mindset, strategies, and determination, you can achieve great success and make a positive impact on the world.
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Sources:
Forbes. "Why Starting a Niche Business Is The Best Thing You Can Do." https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/01/06/why-starting-a-niche-business-is-the-best-thing-you-can-do/?sh=5b6a04e924e5
Inc. "5 Key Ingredients for Building a Strong Team." https://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/5-key-ingredients-for-building-a-strong-team.html
Entrepreneur. "Why Providing Value Is The Most Important Thing You Can Do In Business." https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/299223
Forbes. "The Importance of Taking Risks in Entrepreneurship." https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2019/03/14/the-importance-of-taking-risks-in-entrepreneurship/?sh=2904d4cb7c08
Inc. "Why Having a Clear Vision and Mission Is Key to Business Success." https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/why-having-a-clear-vision-and-mission-is-key-to-business-success.html
Entrepreneur. "Why Being Adaptable Is The Most Important Skill You Can Have as an Entrepreneur." https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/295304Forbes. "The Importance of a Strong Work Ethic in Entrepreneurship."https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/07/05/the-importance-of-a-strong-work-ethic-in-entrepreneurship/?sh=13efc7383665
As you embark on your journey to start and grow your own business, keep in mind that you are not alone.
Many successful entrepreneurs have faced the same challenges and obstacles that you may encounter. Here are some inspiring stories from entrepreneurs who have overcome adversity and achieved great success:
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon
Jeff Bezos started Amazon in his garage in 1994 with the goal of creating an online bookstore. Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, he never gave up on his vision. Today, Amazon is one of the most valuable companies in the world, and Bezos is one of the wealthiest people on the planet.
Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx
Sara Blakely started Spanx with just $5,000 and a simple idea: to create comfortable and slimming undergarments for women. Despite facing rejection from countless investors and industry experts, she persisted and eventually built a successful company that is now worth over $1 billion.
Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group
Richard Branson started his first business, a student magazine, when he was just 16 years old. He went on to build a global empire that includes Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Mobile, and Virgin Galactic, among many others. Despite facing setbacks and failures along the way, he never gave up on his dream of building a successful business.
Oprah Winfrey, founder of OWN
Oprah Winfrey overcame a difficult childhood and numerous obstacles to become one of the most successful media moguls in history. She started her own production company, Harpo Productions, and went on to launch the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), which is now a thriving media empire.
Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX
Elon Musk is known for his ambitious goals and willingness to take risks. He started Tesla with the goal of revolutionizing the auto industry and SpaceX with the goal of making space travel accessible to everyone. Despite facing numerous setbacks and challenges, he has built two successful companies that are changing the world.
These entrepreneurs all share a common thread: they had a vision and a dream, and they were willing to take risks, work hard, and never give up. As you embark on your own entrepreneurial journey, keep their stories in mind and remember that anything is possible with the right mindset and determination.
In conclusion, starting and growing a business can be a daunting task, but it is also one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. By following these seven strategies and taking inspiration from successful entrepreneurs who have come before you, you can build a successful business that makes a positive impact on the world. Good luck on your journey!
Additional Sources:
Musk, E. (n.d.). When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor [Quote]. AZ Quotes. https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1654007
Vaynerchuk, G. (n.d.). Without hustle, talent will only carry you so far [Quote]. Everyday Power. https://everydaypower.com/gary-vaynerchuk-quotes/
Stone, B. (n.d.). Take risks. You will never be able to create something truly original if you're not willing to take risks and innovate [Quote]. AZ Quotes. https://www.azquotes.com/quote/797872
Stone, B. (n.d.). Take risks. You will never be able to create something truly original if you're not willing to take risks and innovate [Quote]. AZ Quotes. https://www.azquotes.com/quote/797872
Bezos, J. (n.d.). Your brand is what other people say about you when you're not in the room [Quote]. BrainyQuote. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/jeff_bezos_464225
Winfrey, O. (n.d.). Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher [Quote]. Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/3341-surround-yourself-with-only-people-who-are-going-to