How My Small Business Survived the First Year
I was nervous at the prospect of starting my own small business. I knew it was a tough world out there for entrepreneurs, and that many startups don’t survive past their first year. Instead of letting that fear and anxiety hold me back, I adopted an positive attitude about my potential for future success. I’m not going to say it was easy, but it was undoubtedly worth it. There’s a light at the end of every tunnel.
How My Small Business Survived the First Year
I knew that if I failed I wouldn't regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying.-- Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon
I economized
The first year of a small business is expensive. It takes a while to turn a meaningful profit, so being as thrifty as possible during the first year helped to minimize a lot of the financial stress I experienced. The office space I leased was a little bigger than what I needed – I chose that space so I would have room to grow. Until I could fill the space with my business, I rented out the empty offices as a storage solution on Spacer. I tried to keep everything digital, which reduced my material costs.
I learned as much as I could
No matter how much education you start with, there are still going to be things that you don’t know. It’s healthy to accept that you don’t know everything. I tried to avoid being stubborn about that, and I learned as much as I could. When I didn’t understand something or I found a seemingly unsolvable problem, I turned to the other more experienced business owners I met through professional networking. I accepted advice, and I made the most of every lesson they taught me.
I hired great talent
I had a very limited budget with which to pay my staff. I couldn’t hire very many people my first year, but a lot needed to be done. I found that the best solution to that issue was hiring only rock stars. It costed a little more, but it didn’t cost nearly as much as it would have if I had hired a giant team. I picked the people who were the best at what they did, empowered them as much as possible, and trusted them to deliver high-quality results. Nobody let me down. Quality wins over quantity every time.
I figured out my limits
Getting a business off the ground can be stressful and exhausting. It’s tempting to work through that stress and exhaustion, but no one really benefits. You can’t give it your all and make the right decisions if you’re too burned out. I learned that the hard way. You have to set up boundaries.
I forced myself to take weekends off, and I put a limit on how many hours above my personal schedule I could work in a week. Doing so allowed me to step away, spend some time with my family, and clear my head. I was able to return to work recharged and ready to take on a new set of challenges.
I looked toward the future
It’s hard to stay devoted when you don’t know where your efforts will lead. I made sure to remind myself that it wouldn’t always be the first year of my business. All of my hard work was going to pay off, and it was important to stay optimistic. All of the chaos and confusion that comes with the first year ultimately makes for less chaos and confusion in each year that comes after it. I was only going through the hard part – the rest wouldn’t be that way.
READ: 8 Ways Mentally Tough Entrepreneurs Forge Their Own Success
Taking care of your business in its first year is just as important as taking care of yourself. You need to be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be if you want to see your business succeed. Make sure you’re growing as a person, and your business will grow as well.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.