3 Tips for Entrepreneurs I Wish Someone Had Told Me 10 Years Ago

Hey there! Patty Dominguez here. Today, I’m excited to share some pivotal tips for entrepreneurs I wish someone had told me when I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey a decade ago. If you’re a woman in business or any entrepreneur in general, navigating the noisy world of startups can be daunting. Trust me, it’s not always easy, but these insights could really change your game.

Your Business Results Will Meet Your Identity Every Time

This first tip was a significant struggle for me. Have you ever heard the saying, “New level, new devil”? It’s so accurate. As someone who’s been coaching for a while, I’ve seen how one person can take a single concept and make $5,000 a month, while another can pull in $100,000. The difference? It’s all about their identity.

I struggled with this for years, but thankfully, I had amazing mentorship and read books that helped me realize the issue was my identity. Gay Hendricks, in his book The Big Leap, talks about the “Upper Limit Problem.” You know that feeling when you’re right up against your comfort zone, and it keeps pulling you back? That’s it! The trick is recognizing when this happens and addressing it, not shoving it aside.

Coaching can be incredibly beneficial here. If you’re into more transformative methods, hypnosis and other subconscious work can also help. Believe me, I’ve tried them all, and they’ve been game-changers.

Stop the Course-itis

Oh my gosh, course-itis was a struggle! I can’t even count how many courses I’ve purchased, thinking the next one would be my golden ticket. One key piece of advice I give my clients is to let their credit cards cool off for 100 days. No more courses. Why? Because we need to get back to the fundamentals.

Let me share a story. Even though I’m not a football fan (seriously, I know zilch about it), I heard about Vince Lombardi’s legendary approach with the Green Bay Packers in the 60s. After a rough season, he took his team back to basics by simply holding up a football and saying, “This is a football.” It sounds basic, but it’s powerful.

Similarly, in business, it’s easy to overlook the fundamentals. Who do you serve? What do you stand for? What’s your message? Going back to the basics, much like Lombardi did, can be transformative. Understanding your positioning, your message-to-market match, and doing thorough market research are the fundamentals many entrepreneurs bypass.

We often think the next course is the answer, but it’s not. The answer lies in mastering and revisiting the foundational principles.

Marketing is Always Changing

Marketing strategies are evolving constantly because prospects are becoming more savvy, and attention spans are at a premium. The latest strategy that worked last year might not get the same results now. There’s a point where you hit diminishing returns on these “hot” marketing strategies.

The biggest opportunity now is to build your personal brand. I’m not talking about logos or websites. Your personal brand is what you stand for. People will follow and buy from you because of who you are. This has longevity compared to the fleeting nature of marketing tactics.

If you’re in it for the long haul, your personal brand is crucial. Focus on what you stand for and let your authenticity shine. Understand that while tactics may come and go, a strong personal brand is enduring.

The Importance of Building Your List

One more thing—build your list! I wish someone had drilled this into my head sooner. Your list is an asset. You can’t build your empire on rented land, which means relying solely on social media platforms is risky. They can change their algorithms anytime.

Your marketing will only be as effective as your list, so nurture it like it’s your business’s lifeline.

Recap

Let’s quickly recap those tips:

1. Your business results will always meet your identity. Address your upper limit problems and understand the importance of identity in your growth.
2. Stop the course-itis. Revisit the fundamentals instead of buying endless courses. Focus on who you serve, your message, and what you stand for.
3. Marketing is always changing. Understand that tactics will come and go, but focusing on building a strong personal brand gives you longevity.

Your Message Matters

Above all else, remember that your message matters. Your business idea deserves to come to fruition, and you deserve success. Impact those you’re meant to impact. Your passion, your drive, and your unique identity are what will make your business thrive.

Thank you so much for being here and checking this out. I genuinely appreciate it. And as always, remember: your message matters. So go out there, make it happen, and leave your mark on the world.