From idea to execution: 8 steps that can
make a big difference in your startup
journey

Introduction:
 Marc Benioff, Richard Branson, Kevin Systrom, Marc
Cuban, Aaron Levie, and Evan Williams — What do
these names have in common? They might not be
familiar at a glance, but most likely, you have used
products and services these successful entrepreneurs
have launched.

From Salesforce, Virgin Airways, Twitter, Box to
Instagram, these entrepreneurs started small but today
their ideas rule the world. If you are thinking of
launching a startup, you have to be ready to do heavy
lifting, and it is no wonder most people quit.

To help you avoid the blunders most entrepreneurs
make, here is a guide on what you should do and what
to expect as you wade through the competitive world of
modern business:

1. Research the market
a) In the Fortune Report, the top reason for business
failure is the lack of market for a product.
If you look at the most successful startups today
including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook among
others, they have come up to fill a gap in terms of
message and image sharing.

b) The availability of internet connectivity means
people are more connected and as such, there was a
need for instant sharing. The products or service you
choose must be perfect for the market if you are going
to make a mark in your niche.

a) While most startups today are big on technology,
you don’t have to jump into the bandwagon if you are
not passionate about this field. For your brand to grow,
you must believe in it. This is the only way you will be
passionate about promoting it.
2. Sell something you are passionate about

b) If business is bad, you will remain motivated and
that is how brands such as Apple grew even when the
world thought Steve Jobs would fail faced with
competition from bigger brands.

a) If you are going to start a business, make sure it is
uniquely bold. It has to be an idea that is disruptive
because this is the only way people will notice it.
3. Be radical

b) Consumers are used to the same variation of
products and they are now looking for radical ideas to
make their lives better. The idea is to come up with an
idea that is radically different and from here, make it
radically better.

4. Start small, but dream big
a) Most startups fail because
they inject all their capital as
they enter the market and a
few months down the line,
they can not meet operational
costs.

b) It is advisable to
keep costs as low as
possible as you start
because you are still
testing the waters. This
gives you time to study
the competition and
understand the market
from inside.

5. Make mistakes
a) If you are venturing
into business, you
should never be timid
because this will cost
you. Always try out
new ideas and when
they don’t work, stop
looking back.
It is important to listen
to constructive
criticism because this
is the only way to
learn and grow.

b) Even the richest
entrepreneurs today
encourage startups not to
fear making mistakes when
they are testing their
business models as these
will turn out to be the
foundation of success.

6. Be Flexible
a) You might have the best business idea,
but if you are not willing to change it to
accommodate the realities in the market,
you are doomed.

b) It is important to be
flexible because this
means the business
keeps going. If you stick
to your reasoning alone,
you end up losing
invaluable time and it
might not be easy to
recoup.

a) Of course, every entrepreneur is hopeful that things
will work out but you should not peg all your
investment on hope alone. You must have a
contingency plan to overcome unexpected occurrences.
7. Be realistic

b) Most startups run out of cash fast because they feel
that the tide will turn soon enough. You have to expect
difficulties in the contemporary business environment
and have some plans on how to cope with them.

a) Building a successful business is a marathon not a
sprint, and many would-be entrepreneurs have
learnt this the hard way. You have to avoid the
speeding urge and instead build sustainable systems
that will guide your business as it gradually expands.
b) Burnout is not uncommon among entrepreneurs and it
ruins even the best business ideas. With these tips, you
can now start doing your research and remember to take
your time before plunging into the market.
Conclusion:

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