Forget the Fancy Logo – How to Start Scrappy
When you’re starting a business, it’s very common to jump online and do some research. There’s a lot of advice out there about how to start a business, much of it written by people who have money and are well established already.
In an ideal world, when you start a business, you’re well-funded. That’s just not always the case and it is possible to start a successful business by being scrappy.
Without the luxury of name recognition or money that some companies enjoy, you can use your creativity to come up with unique or innovative solutions, take chances without the whole world watching, and use your determination and resourcefulness to drive you to success.
Getting scrappy will get you to the top, staying scrappy will keep you there. – Gary Ryan Blair
Here is what you need to know about starting a business by being scrappy:
Believe in yourself and your idea
You don’t need money to believe in yourself and in your business idea.
While having money in the bank or a business investor can give you an extra boost of confidence, it is not a guarantee of success. In fact, there are many well-funded companies that have failed.
It’s easy to start comparing yourself to others who may have different experiences than you, such as someone who graduated college when you didn’t, or a business founder that has already gotten some funding or has a well-known mentor.
These may seem like advantages, however, only time will tell.
Billionaire business founder, Sara Blakely, is a great example of starting scrappy.
Her business Spanx was funded with $5000 of her own money and confidence in her idea. Sara created first prototype by cutting the legs off of a pair of her own control top pantyhose. She then set out to find a manufacturer, not focus or spend money on prototypes and logos. Despite knowing nothing about the business, having no connections, and a lot of rejections, Sara persevered until one manufacturer agreed to help her create her first samples. From there, she was able to get orders, investment as well as put other basic aspects of her business in place.
Harness your creativity and drive
You may not have all the assets that you would ideally like to have, but you have creativity.
You also have an inner need to succeed.
I’ve spoken to a number of other entrepreneurs who never went to college, and they all agreed that they have a more intense and perhaps genuine need or drive to succeed than someone who followed in their dad’s footsteps and took the traditional route, including a college degree.
Your creativity and resourcefulness will help you find more unique solutions than those who have unlimited budgets to pay for them. This can lead to innovation, keen insights and skills that can become your competitive advantage and set you apart.
Your drive can keep you going, despite setbacks and failed attempts. Remember it took Thomas Edison over 1000 tries to succeed at creating the light bulb. That one extra attempt, when others would have given up, can be the determining factor in your success.
Listen and Filter
Listen to everybody and then use only that which will create success in your world
As a young or new entrepreneur, it’s important to gather a lot of information and listen to advice from people who have already succeeded at what you are trying to do. There’s a lot of free information available online, and hopefully you will connect with some generous successful business owners who are willing to share their success tips and recommendations. Listen carefully and keep an open mind as you process all the information and success tips and recommendations you’ve gotten.
Then take out of them that which you can use in your world. What will work with the budget you have at hand and your skill set and your circumstances? This is the time when you may pass on hiring the fancy logo designer, and have something created on Fiverr, which is more aligned with your current, almost non-existent budget. This way you can put your money into something that will bring in your first client, or profits sooner.
It’s Okay to MacGyver it
In the beginning, you may not have all the ideal tools in your toolbox, and you still have to build your own house, or marketing system or some other business asset. This is where being scrappy and resourceful comes in handy.
While all the experts say you need to do things properly or with fancy existing tools, as we have stated, that is not an option for many businesses starting out.
If you can cobble together some free resources to achieve the same results as a paid resource, it can be the best way for you to get going. Down the road when you have more cash flow, you can invest in an existing tool that may make it easier, do a better job, or save you more time.
Christina Vitagliano is the founder of Monster Mini Golf, a nationwide franchised chain of indoor, glow-in-the-dark, monster-themed mini golf family entertainment centers. She is the author of Every 9 Minutes: A Memoir, and an advocate for sexual abuse survivors. For more information visit www.123ChristinaV.com