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What does it take?
Advice from local entrepreneurs on what it takes to start your own business
Are you thinking about selling your famous homemade salsa? Maybe you’ve developed an app and now you need to launch it. If you’re dreaming of starting your own business or side-hustle, take it from the experts. We asked local entrepreneurs to share their tips for starting your next venture.
Lynsey Morgan | Founder
Enfuse Jewelry
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone interested in starting their own business?
When people get into business, many are focused on themselves and what they want. Think of your ideal customer instead. Know who you’re trying to serve with your business. Why will they need what you have? Thinking of your customer guides everything from your offerings to branding, marketing, pricing and copywriting.
What was the greatest challenge you faced in the beginning?
Recognizing that success doesn’t happen quickly. I’ve heard from many places, “It takes 10 years to look like an overnight success.” Being an entrepreneur is a marathon, not a sprint. It's hard, but being persistent usually pays off.
Brittany Evans | President
Clear Intentions
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone interested in starting their own business?
Eat well. This not only fuels your energy, but your brain and emotions as well. It doesn’t do any entrepreneur any good to not fuel yourself appropriately. Maintaining your health is incredibly important.
What was the greatest challenge you faced in the beginning?
My greatest challenge in starting a manufacturing and hauling company was funding. Especially being a young female entrepreneur with a high capital demand to start my company, it was incredibly difficult to find backing. But we did, and it is my great honor to say that we are heavily backed by amazing women and some very exceptional men.
Ben Susnick | Owner
Basecamp Provisions Food Truck
What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone interested in starting their own business?
One piece of advice that I would give to anyone starting their own business would be to work in the industry extensively before opening something. Being in the food truck/restaurant industry, I see a lot of people start businesses because they love to cook and eat out, but they don’t realize how unforgiving and difficult the job can be.
What was the greatest challenge you faced in the beginning?
The greatest challenge that I faced when opening my businesses was knowing when to listen to others, and when to trust myself. Listening to feedback and ideas from others is important and valuable, but it can also make it difficult to stay on track and be true to yourself. ■
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