Three Tips for Entrepreneurs
J.L. Rocha Collections
Three Tips for Entrepreneurs from Jose-Noel Rocha
J.L. Rocha Values
In a brand with generations of family history, ten years might seem like a short period. Yet for me it represents a little less than half my life, and the start to an amazing career.
If you haven’t caught up on our podcast - our returning episode for season 2 focuses on the school of leather, the materials, motivation, and marketing you will face as you build a brand. Yet, many in our community are entrepreneurs in their own right across varying industries - these three tips are applicable across any industry, focusing on the lessons that taught me to love what I do.
Materials, Motivation, and Marketing
Hear why each one matters in our latest podcast.
Tip 1: Organize, Don’t Obsess
What’s possible and what you want may not always align. Organization is the key to success before running wild with ideas. Here’s how you can maximize organization:
If you’re just getting started:
Be sure to google, “how to start a business + your city name” to find out about any legalities needed. Beyond that, gathering checklists online is a great way to get started with practical matters. If your idea isn’t fully formed, here are some tips:
Starting a business isn’t easy, but it’s better when you’re passionate about what you do.
Think of the reasons beyond material goals, and write down how you’d like people to feel when engaging with your business from an employee to a customer, to even someone just meeting your brand.
Once you know your product or service, write down everything you need to make it possible - then write how each need connects with your reasons for being a brand.
If you’re a seasoned veteran:
There’s nothing worse than drowning in work, especially when it comes from a passion project. Here’s some tips to avoid burnout:
Get a digital calendar: it is beneficial to have a central database for everything you need. If it’s connected to your phone, you won’t need to stress.
Set aside time just for organization: once a week, for at least one hour, dedicate yourself to organizing all your files and tasks.
Find ways to break the monotony: get involved with small projects or get back to the basics so you can connect with your team or remind yourself of the fundamentals.
Tip 2: Be Real, or Be Clear
When it comes to any relationship, the key to success is honesty: even if your motivations are purely material, people will appreciate practicality and value. If your brand comes from your passion, be sure to communicate that passion as much as possible without fear of getting too personal.
The Simplicity of Real
If you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend listening to Simon Sinek in his famous Ted Talk where he coins the line “people don’t by what you do, they buy why you do it.” When it comes to being real, writing down a simple why and letting it guide you is a best practice worth following.
Being Clear in Business
There should be clarity of information in any business. My father has always been clear that “your word is bond.” Yet many businesses provide limited clarity, at minimum you should be clear with your business about:
What you offer, in as my h detail as possible.
Why you offer it and the value you provide by doing so.
Your I qualifications for what you do, be you an enthusiast or an expert with generations of history.
Tip 3: Pace Yourself
Getting started is just as hard as keeping on. If you bite off more than you can chew, you can end up getting burnt out or find yourself in a challenging position. These two valuable lessons I’ve gathered may help you, regardless of your career length.
For the Young and Energetic:
Don’t go overboard: it’s easy to get excited about a new project or product line, meaning you can gather an excess of products or disappointment when feasibility and practicality overlap.
For Business Savants:
Give yourself the chance to learn: I’ve encountered many entrepreneurs that simply lost the spark of curiosity, leading to outdated business tactics and a loss of passion: give yourself the space to learn and test new ideas. They say the man who loves the journey travels further than the man that loves the destination.
Closing Notes:
There difference between a master and a novice, is that the master has failed many more times. A lesson I’m continuing to appreciate as a grow in my professional career, but one that I find is important to learn.
Our family business is born from our passion: passion for our family, our heritage, and our own desire for quality. I’m proud to have come so far working with my family, and look forward to the continued journey. I hope the lessons I’ve learned will help you in any endeavor and I wish you success in everything you do.
Thank You/Gracias